FARGO BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES REGULAR

FARGO BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING January 10, 2023 The Board of Education of the City of Fargo met in regular session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m., at the District Office in the Board Room, located at 700 7th Street South in Fargo. Members present: Melissa Burkland, Nyamal Dei, Robin Nelson, Katie Christensen, Seth Holden (via phone), Tracie Newman, Greg Clark Members absent: Nikkie Gullickson, Jim Johnson President Newman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Greg Clark moved approval of the agenda with the inclusion of the HR addendum. Nyamal Dei seconded the motion. The motion passed (Yes: Burkland, Christensen, Clark, Dei, Holden, Nelson, Newman; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson). Two citizens addressed the Board. Deven Styczynski spoke on an opinion column that ran in the Forum, Memo #75, and Memo #76. Victoria Johnson requested to be able to address the Board virtually and for a presentation on data on Setting D services, restraint and seclusion, staff injury and student suspension. Becky Bakke, executive director of the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation, presented a report on the Foundation for the 2021-22 fiscal year. For the 2021-22 school year, the Foundation distributed more than $19,000 in Innovative Education Grants, more than $26,000 in Literacy Grants, and more than $113,000 in scholarships to graduating students. The Foundation facilitates the Critical Needs Fund, which directly supports students in need. The Foundation will participate in Giving Hearts Day again on February 9, which will benefit the Critical Needs Program. The Foundation also facilitates the Alumni Network. Discussion occurred. Dr. Gandhi presented Memo #68, which overviewed the rationale for Fargo Public School’s intent to discontinue the current model of educational services provided at Prairie St. John’s psychiatric hospital effective the end of the 2022-2023 school year. He shared how FPS students will still receive educational services while at Prairie St. John’s, but FPS will no longer have staff at that site, nor will it assist with instruction of students from other school districts. Discussion occurred. (Memo #68) An FEA representative was not present to provide a report. Dr. Gandhi shared he and Board Member Robin Nelson met with the FEA executive board to review the FPS legislative priorities for 2023. He indicated the district will not be in session on Monday, January 16 due to a professional development day for staff and it is the time of semester change at the secondary schools. Robin Nelson moved adoption of the Consent Agenda with the addition of the HR Addendum. Nyamal Dei seconded the motion, which passed (Yes: Burkland, Christensen, Clark, Dei, Holden, Nelson, Newman; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson) thereby causing the following actions to be taken: A. The minutes of the regular meeting of December 13 were approved as written. B. The minutes of the special meeting of December 20 were approved as written. C. The following Human Resources actions were approved: 1. New Hires 2022-23: Isabella Anderson, English – Discovery, NDSU, BA – 0 (Step 3) – at 100% - $21,746 (95 days); Sarah Huebschwerlen, English – South, MSUM, BA – 0 (Step 3) – at 100% - $21,746 (95 days); Joeli Kelso, Grade 3 – Kennedy, University of Jamestown, BA – 0 (Step 3) – at 100% - $23,806 (104 days) 2. Resignations 2022-23: Emily Martin, Grade 1 – Horace Mann, Dates of Employment: 2008-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023 3. Retirements 2022-23: William Dent, Science – Dakota, Dates of Employment: 2006-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Craig Erickson, CTE/Marketing – North, Dates of Employment: 1999-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Richard Fisher, Social Studies – North, Dates of Employment: 1985-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Karen Foss, Reading Interventionist – Discovery, Dates of Employment: 1989-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Kristi Hallock, Social Studies – Discovery, Dates of Employment: 1991-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Patricia Jacobson, Health – Ben Franklin, Dates of Employment: 1990-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Kelly Keidel, Science – Discovery, Dates of Employment: 2017-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Holly Meester, Music – Clara Barton, Dates of Employment: 1989-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Cynthia Pritchard, SPED/ECSE – Agassiz, Dates of Employment: 1991-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Renee Ringdahl, Grade 3 – Bennett, Dates of Employment: 1990-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Jane Sweeney, Title Reading – Ed Clapp, Dates of Employment: 2014-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023; Thomas Weber, CTE/Tech Ed – Ben Franklin, Dates of Employment: 1994-2023, Effective Date: 6/2/2023 D. The monitoring report for EL-15 was accepted. (Memo #69) E. Changes to Board Policy EL-7 were approved. (Memo #62) F. Changes to Board Policy EL-8 were approved. (Memo #63) G. Changes to Board Policy EL-10 were approved. (Memo #64) H. Pursuant to N.D.C.C. 15.1-16-10, the Board recognized the FEA as the representative organization for the negotiating unit consisting of all employees licensed to teach by the Education Standards and Practices Board or approved to teach by the Education Standards and Practices Board and employed by the Board primarily as classroom teachers within the negotiating unit for matters relating to terms and conditions of employment and employer-employee relations, including salary and working hours, for a period of at least one year beginning on January 10, 2023. (Memo #73) President Newman presented Memo #73 on the District’s annual audit, which was an unmodified opinion. Fargo Public Schools has received an opinion that the financial statements have been presented fairly and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Robin Nelson moved to accept and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 and forward copies to the appropriate agencies as requested. Nyamal Dei seconded the motion. Derek Flanagan of Eide Bailly presented the 2022 financial audit for the District. Discussion occurred. Upon call of the roll, the motion passed (Yes: Burkland, Christensen, Clark, Dei, Holden, Nelson, Newman; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson). (Memo #74) Tara Brandner presented Memo #75. Sanford North (“Sanford”) is the owner of approximately seventy-five acres of unimproved real property located in Cass County, North Dakota (“South Property”). A & T Land Co., LLC (“A&T”) is the owner of approximately sixty-three acres of unimproved real property located in Cass County, North Dakota (“North Property”). The Fargo Public School District (“District”) desires to purchase the South Property from Sanford. Upon acquisition of the South Property by the District, the District and A&T will exchange ownership of the South Property for the North Property. On November 22, 2022, the District entered into an Exchange Agreement with A&T contingent upon the District and Sanford successfully entering into a written agreement for the purchase of South Property. The District and Sanford acknowledge the purchase price for the Real Property shall be equal to the product of $2.50 multiplied by total square feet (estimated at 3,267,000 square feet) of the Real Property to be purchased (the “Purchase Price”), which Purchase Price is estimated to be $8,167,500.00, but will be finalized once the total square footage is ascertained. Robin Nelson moved to authorize the execution of the Purchase Agreement with Sanford North for the purchase of the South Property for a Purchase Price equal to the product of $2.50 multiplied by the total square foot as determined by a Certificates of Survey. Greg Clark seconded the motion. Discussion occurred. Upon call of the roll, the motion passed (Yes: Burkland, Christensen, Clark, Dei, Holden, Nelson, Newman; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson). (Memo #75) Jackie Gapp presented Memo #76. Administration recommends issuing $18 million in bonds for the purchase of land for future school sites. The Initial Resolution begins the process of the bond issue by setting forth the maximum amount of bonds that could be issued, a description of the project, the current assessed value of property within the District and the current principal amount of outstanding bonds issued by the District (excluding Building Authority Bonds). Final action on the resolution will be considered at the first board meeting 60 days after the publication. Katie Christensen moved to approve the resolution attached to Memo #76 and direct the Business Manager to publish the Initial Resolution for Limited Tax School Building Fund Bonds in the legal newspaper of the Fargo School District. Robin Nelson seconded the motion. Discussion occurred. Upon call of the roll, the motion passed (Yes: Burkland, Christensen, Clark, Dei, Holden, Nelson, Newman; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson). (Memo #76) President Newman referenced Board members to Memo #77. This is the time the Board annually reviews compensation for Board members per GP-2E; she opened the floor to discussion on the topic. Discussion occurred. Katie Christensen moved to reaffirm the current compensation of $1,000. Melissa Burkman seconded the motion. Discussion occurred. It was suggested to review GP-2E to have additional parameters for the annual review of compensation. Greg Clark moved to postpone the motion until the Planning Committee reviews the topic. Nyamal Dei seconded the motion. Discussion occurred. Upon call of the roll, the motion to postpone passed (Yes: Burkland, Clark, Dei, Holden, Newman; No: Christensen, Nelson; Absent: Gullickson, Johnson). (Memo #77) Committee & Liaison Reports - Robin Nelson provided a review of happenings in the 2023 legislative assembly, including bills that are currently being tracked. - The Governmental Affairs Committee meets next on January 24 at noon. (Nelson) - The Negotiations Committee met, and subcommittees of the committee have also met. The committee meets next on Monday, January 16 for a work session. (Holden) - Board member meetings/liaison visits: Nelson to NDSBA Brunch and Learn, NDSBA Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, Kennedy PTA meeting and Chamber Eggs & Issues event; Dei to Fargo Cass Public Health Board meeting, volunteer work at South, NDSBA Brunch and Learn, orchestra concert at Davies, and 8th grade elective night at North; Burkland to Clara Barton orchestra and choir concert and NDSBA Brunch and Learn; Christensen to South to shadow a Nutrition Services staff member; Newman to Davies holiday concert and NDSBA Brunch and Learn. President Newman shared a brief report. The next regular meeting was confirmed for Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the District Office. There being no further business to come before the Board, President Newman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. (Feb. 1, 2023) 179231