[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6565914,"mediaKeyId","3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6","parentId",3211783,"title","Votes at a glance: Hopkins Public Schools board approved routine items and policies on first read, disbursed $2.41M in April payments","audioSeconds",8243,"startMs",8255000,"endMs",11727,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6&start=8255&end=11","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6/thumbnail_8255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565914/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Hopkins-Public-Schools-board-approved-routine-items-and-policies-on-first-read-disbursed-241M-in-April-payments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565914-924fda6b0c1711345e5cacc3c8c2e6f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159837&Signature=fbWRci2~PvR3-P3KhgwxUWRRhNSJwBPvIv-fQcNVfWm4gyIXZcfI4y0j5EWsTigLaVTz8nNisg-224yIt5K5EVe8CAo8nkDiiA8nKuMa9Tmkjg5PjQ-IAIYsOPBZZBte5bLh~nRVI3z9JV5x1zF2Hn1-BztZL-uGag2Z0v4LSKXOrFORqLoatWKOPNpe7gcjqePDcIziLCl1HvEBZXxefly0QM79E-hT7fmST8RMHp62QgVGPhIRNNYuMbzJ3ZrLZW9qL7pddujGyP824JUHLSAXBrymcfovor96qxxrcbQoqbmSg3uzjg-QRxIHbOhy~C8AaaARduoVC5~UbOTIvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hopkins Public School DIstrict","date","2025-05-07T08:03:14.927Z","article","The Hopkins Public Schools Board took several formal actions at its May 6 meeting. The votes were conducted by voice and the chair announced unanimous approval for the items listed below.

Approved items and outcomes

- Agenda: The board approved the May 6 agenda by voice vote; the chair said the agenda is approved.

- Consent calendar: The board approved the consent calendar containing routine business items.

- Disbursements: The board approved total disbursements of $2,409,228.66 for the period April 16 to April 30, 2025. Treasurer Rachel Hartland presented the report and noted that 47% of that period's payments (about $1,133,000) were for transportation contractors. The board moved and seconded the disbursement motion; the chair announced the motion carried.

- Policies (first read): The board approved, on first read, updates and adoptions to several policies (including transportation policy 707.1 related to a pay-to-ride option, instruction/curriculum policy MSBA 604 (2024 revision), and instructional resources policy 606). The board directed administration to bring the revised policies back for second reading/consent at the next meeting.

- Incidental reports: The board accepted the incidental report (Title I update) as presented.

- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

Vote format and tallies

All votes at the meeting were voice votes and the chair announced \"aye\" for the motions; the meeting record includes no roll-call tallies. The public minutes reflect the board's unanimous voice approval for the motions presented on May 6.

Context and notable expenditures

Treasurer Hartland discussed specific payments that appeared on the expense report for the month of March (presented in April): transportation contractors (~$1,133,000); substitute teachers; software and implementation payments including $113,320 for Oracle phase 3 implementation and $50,910 for the district's student information system subscription (Infinite Campus); snow-removal contractors; elevator work; and other recurring service contracts. Hartland noted the district's fiscal audits are in order: the FY23 audit had been completed and FY24 was underway.

Ending

Board minutes will reflect these approvals. No contested or recorded roll-call votes were reported during the meeting; that may limit public downstream ability to see individual board members' positions by name from the voice votes recorded in the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hopkins School Board Meetings May 6th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 6 meeting the Hopkins Public Schools Board approved the evening agenda, the consent calendar, and $2,409,228.66 in disbursements for April 16\t6/30/2025; the board also approved several policies on first read and accepted a Title I incidental report. All motions were decided by voice vote and announced as approved.","taxTitle","HOPKINS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38591,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6565919,"Board review: Hopkins moves from expenditure-based budgeting toward enrollment-driven revenue model after 2021 equity audit",786,8894000,9680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6&start=8894&end=9680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6/thumbnail_8894000.jpg","/articles/6565919/Minnesota/Board-review-Hopkins-moves-from-expenditure-based-budgeting-toward-enrollment-driven-revenue-model-after-2021-equity-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565919-054def0f71804be9f2afe6e48eb9d42d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159837&Signature=dChKzAhMUgtgZW0JV74TTSkE5rXHDqfqsG-hXKSqBDyB8oZwg0hR~2-T1m2WJIBd-vsMMXwQXNib4jVROdVqMMWZeq2BB8tv12Uh7ECJOmV9gUWvl07to~ce6g~thLY7KVEa7VuQ75bAiDcdxnZ6wJAMTlhYJu9IWtf7UMCPX9Yh4wYhnHuT0OiTzhcy0Yeh58BBLEHPvfNxcrI5DPvp9Yi~ok3eHrcnHv5exeHlp5LYfyJBbP5VlR3vNkt0CsDAw4bG5WCkyUuJCJG845ZP3BJKuaRcAKa2Kgq~gGKkeEmwEl-Ntto11Lwt~uUQplMN-hoAJI2MaLIi9Qc83ee~JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopkins Public Schools Board received an update on May 6 on steps the district has taken to implement recommendations from a 2021 systemwide equity audit, focusing on changes in business services and budgeting.

Superintendent Mary Pirie Reid framed the presentation and Dr. Brown summarized the audit's original findings, which flagged that historic annual budgets prioritized historical expenditures and inflation rather than building-specific enrollment and needs, and that principals reported limited local control over school-level allocations.

Director Chapinduca told the board the district has moved toward a revenue-driven budgeting approach since fiscal year 2022. Under that approach, the district uses enrollment and predictable-staffing formulas to allocate base resources and then layers categorical and compensatory funding. Chapinduca said the district now returns a larger share of compensatory dollars to the buildings that generate them: \"Starting in fiscal year 22, we started distributing around 75% of the compensatory resources back to the buildings which are generating those dollars. And then when state statute changed to 80%, we just had to make a shift of 5%...\"

Why it matters: Board members said the new approach improves transparency and gives site leaders better information to advocate for building needs. Several board members praised the predictable-staffing model as a tool for aligning staffing allocations to enrollment and student needs, noting it also helps teachers and family stakeholders understand resource decisions.

Changes described and effects

District staff described key changes: moving from an historic expenditure model to a formula-driven revenue model tied to enrollment; revising how categorical funds (including compensatory revenue) are distributed so that a larger percentage stays at the generating sites; and increasing transparency so principals and site leaders can see and be accountable for allocations. Chapinduca said the revenue model helps the district avoid drawing down fund balance to cover recurring expenses and supports structurally balanced budgets.

Board reaction and next steps

Board members asked clarifying questions about equity implications, and staff explained the approach is intended to make resource distribution more equitable by tying allocations to student counts and student-needs indicators at the building level while preserving central capacity for districtwide priorities. No formal action was taken; staff said this work is ongoing and that refinements continue as the district collects feedback from principals and other stakeholders.

Ending

The board thanked staff for the update and asked for continued reporting as the district refines allocation formulas and publishes clearer school-level budget information for staff and the community.","Board members reviewed progress in business services to address findings from a 2021 equity audit. District staff described a shift from a historical expenditure model to a revenue-driven allocation tied to enrollment and predictable staffing, and increased allocation of compensatory funds back to generating schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6565924,"Hopkins Public Schools previews proposed November bond referendum focused on safety, accessibility and flexible learning spaces",2309,2037000,4346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6&start=2037&end=4346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6/thumbnail_2037000.jpg","/articles/6565924/Minnesota/Hopkins-Public-Schools-previews-proposed-November-bond-referendum-focused-on-safety-accessibility-and-flexible-learning-spaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565924-1e3e3a3a491ac0c9fe89ed4d7690e0e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159837&Signature=SXIk43zqoB7VymlIoU0SRaOK9jGiQXIUBEyLzYBRDU3H9eFRaKOihvybelgALvIyLTBKzDoKzBsxsltfjMMITvFO4x1IMUfa0HXz1DiTYYKsX1hGJ46ceja4Ix-5mxA4L95QRjsm0YMufr5udohdg60qz-iOwnyVPPV4bTQlZt1oc~XuZVYq2G2UnsHsTH1lFEr928O4Gj0aQ~rB1BaqYoI18so-y~M79M9FKjkOYjZfEBiVjgzQB35rxuc5UfzIW9lLgTWQdzSjOqJvonn0GuKwgmuNB5NKftx4gQRHHDtbz6osMoCBJsIFlf9j2cZ1FWsHeTezpQ3emheAvntl1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hopkins Public Schools staff and consultants presented an informational briefing on May 6 outlining potential projects and a timeline for a bond referendum the district would ask voters to consider in November.

Superintendent Mary Pirie Reid told the board the planned referendum would fund campuswide safety and security upgrades, accessibility and ADA improvements, updated learning spaces (including outdoor learning and playgrounds), parking-lot reconstruction and targeted infrastructure work. The district's consultant team includes SiteLogic, Fielding International and local facilities staff.

Why it matters: The bond would fund building and site work that district leaders said would modernize instructional spaces, address deferred maintenance and increase accessibility at multiple schools. Staff presented a timeline and multiple financing scenarios to help the board weigh the scale and tax impact of a possible question.

Projects described

Consultants and staff described a set of project categories under consideration: security upgrades (cameras, secure entries, card access); ADA and accessibility improvements tied to renovation triggers; career and technical education space updates; playground replacements (noting Glen Lake is a model for inclusive play); parking-lot reconstruction (noting new watershed and underground utility requirements that increase costs); and modern flexible learning spaces, including \"pathfinder\" projects and additions requiring ICC 500-rated storm shelters in some cases.

\"Our district, Hopkins Public Schools, is preparing to go out to our community for a bond referendum this coming November,\" Superintendent Mary Pirie Reid said. \"We are preparing to ask our community to support very important facility upgrades across our campuses.\" Jake Berg of SiteLogic said the district had entered a \"workshopping phase\" and would use community listening sessions and demographic studies to prioritize scopes.

Engagement and prioritization

Consultants summarized dozens of listening sessions held March\t6 that gathered input from families, students, staff and community partners. Session themes included safety and security, modernization of learning environments, technology upgrades, space and capacity, and community use of school facilities.

Kevin Newman, the district's assistant director of buildings and grounds, explained that parking-lot work carries particular complexity because watershed regulations now require more on-site stormwater handling and many underground utilities have aged, raising reconstruction costs. \"The biggest thing that has challenged the district is meeting the needs of our watershed districts... it's escalated costs,\" he said.

Financing scenarios and timeline

District staff said municipal advisers had helped model multiple bond-sale scenarios: $110 million, $140 million and $200 million. Staff said they will present more refined debt-structure analysis at a future board meeting so the board can assess projected tax impacts and avoid overburdening taxpayers. Director Chapinduca told the board the district has modeled \"a hundred and $10,000,000 bond sale, a hundred and $40,000,000 bond sale, and a $200,000,000 bond sale, and determined what that increase to property tax may look like in consideration to other surrounding school districts.\"

If the board decides to place a question on the November ballot, staff outlined a planning schedule: the board would finalize a direction in June (the June 10 meeting and a June 24 backup date were identified), the district would submit required review-and-comment information to the Minnesota Department of Education, and, if voters approve the bond, the district would begin schematic design and preparation of construction documents. Presenters estimated that design typically takes about a year, with construction bidding potentially in the fall/winter of 2026 and construction starting in 2027; given school operations the work could be phased across summers and school years.

Previous local experience and next steps

Board members noted the district's 2017 referendum (roughly $30 million in size) as local precedent and asked staff to return with more precise tax-rate and debt-service scenarios. The district plans further community communications and campaign-planning work if the board decides to move forward.

Ending

The presentation was informational; the board did not vote to place a question on the ballot at the May 6 meeting. Staff said they will refine project lists, cost estimates and debt-structure modeling and return to the board in June.","District staff and consultants outlined proposed projects for a November bond referendum, including safety and security upgrades, ADA work, playground replacements, parking-lot reconstruction, flexible learning spaces and modeled tax scenarios. If approved, design and phased construction would likely begin in 2026-27.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6565929,"Hopkins board weighs moving school board elections to even years to boost turnout and cut costs",1684,231000,1915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6&start=231&end=1915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211783-1e3b4d3f4f425e0245e20c475e2feeb6/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6565929/Minnesota/Hopkins-board-weighs-moving-school-board-elections-to-even-years-to-boost-turnout-and-cut-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565929-a7dfb7bf96aa25636dc04448898c5e34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159837&Signature=ambCvGmG6u5mt04FZK8G0IBNrk-bFWHxOnaSJzF-wp7gwV0tFYBSg5wNDZ7WZdKL5e4vUrn60ndEOYGuVWaN1dMUqvi5nIi8cT1S1GfCqB8lyy3nYnpZj~71-XN8o3T5STntmRxWjy22hfUMg-zMRCB9Bryz9zSRzdwRZr3SVu5gnfXQoexsbGzSsumyxmlf6FaUGQ07DcnJ1d3WzmKGxU3X9qpQEdlDro6TMhr5Rzb6-0YMhvVE-fccrXxCK5nHlkeJqqSEf72DdpHiZZwSQgslacRPdbgA1INLIKaLjdok4~cAOsLJcX3CBmv5ksOLkFNFDK35l95sCK6-ZHWmng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopkins Public Schools Board discussed on May 6 whether to shift its school board elections from odd years to even years, a move board members said could increase voter turnout and reduce the district's election-related expenses.

Board Chair Shannon Andreesen opened the discussion and turned the topic over to Treasurer Rachel Hartland, who co-chairs the district's Legislative Action Coalition. Hartland said the district's most recent school-board election drew \"fewer than 7,000 people\" out of about 40,000 registered voters in the district, a turnout she described as \"very low.\" She told the board that \"our district's estimated savings if we moved to even year elections are around $50,000,\" and later noted additional staff time and labor could increase that figure.

Why it matters: Board members said aligning school-board elections with state and federal contests could increase participation and spread election costs across more jurisdictions. Board members also raised operational concerns, including staffing capacity for running elections and the timing of any transition, which could require either extending or shortening current terms.

Board discussion and key details

Treasurer Rachel Hartland said even-year elections typically draw higher turnout and that neighboring districts who switched previously reported savings; the board discussed a range of cost estimates during the meeting. At various points presenters and board members described three separate cost figures: a rough baseline savings figure of about $50,000 tied to shared polling and materials; an additional approximate $15,000 tied to staff time for a district coordinator; and a combined working estimate that various speakers summarized near $63,000. After follow-up, board staff reported they were \"adding up the various sources\" and reached a current working estimate of roughly $65,000 in savings compared with running standalone odd-year elections, while acknowledging inflation and other factors could change those numbers.

Board members repeatedly emphasized uncertainty in the preliminary numbers. Director Chapinduca (District business services staff) said detailed, firm cost-sharing arrangements with partner cities would be needed to produce a precise savings estimate: \"I can't give you a specific amount because... we definitely have to get into those arrangements,\" he said. Board members also noted that if Hopkins moved off the odd-year cycle while some neighboring municipalities stayed, cost burdens could shift among partners; several board members said alignment with the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka would be desirable.

Timing and next steps

Board members discussed implementation options and legal constraints. Director Zhao asked whether the board could choose the timing; board members and staff said the school board would make the timing decision and that statute provides options for either extending current terms to shift the cycle or shortening terms, depending on the transition the board selects. Board staff identified a practical internal deadline: the board would need to act before the district's candidate-filing and election-notice schedule (the board's June 10 meeting and June 24 reserved meeting were named as decision points). One board member said, \"I think the decision has to be made by July 1, and knowing that the board's final meeting for this school year is June 10. So, the board, we have to make that decision by then.\"

What the board did

No formal motion to change the election calendar was made. Instead the board took a nonbinding temperature check of members' preferences. Several members voiced support for moving to even years to reduce costs and staff burden; others requested firmer financial analysis and alignment with municipal partners before committing. Staff committed to return with more precise cost estimates and options on how to time any change.

Community and operational concerns

Board members flagged operational and equity questions: who would pay residual costs if partner cities did not move; how to communicate with voters and community groups (for example, the League of Women Voters reached out to the district earlier in the process); and whether staffing levels would support any change. Chair Andreesen said community outreach would be important and cautioned that a public temperature check should not be construed as a vote.

What remains unresolved

Board members asked staff to provide a firmer cost breakdown, to clarify which municipalities would need to align with Hopkins for cost-sharing, and to outline the statutory steps and timing choices for extending or shortening terms if the board decides to move ahead. No final decision was made at the meeting.

Ending

The board scheduled further discussion for June: staff will return with a more detailed financial analysis and timeline so the board can decide before candidate-filing deadlines if it wants to place a change into effect for the coming election cycle.","The Hopkins Public Schools Board discussed shifting its school board elections from odd to even years, citing low turnout and potential cost savings. Board members agreed to further study options and noted a June decision deadline if the change is to affect the next cycle.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Hopkins Public Schools board approved routine items and policies on first read, disbursed $2.41M in April payments

Board review: Hopkins moves from expenditure-based budgeting toward enrollment-driven revenue model after 2021 equity audit

Hopkins Public Schools previews proposed November bond referendum focused on safety, accessibility and flexible learning spaces

Hopkins board weighs moving school board elections to even years to boost turnout and cut costs