[{"_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",6187942,"mediaKeyId","5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e","parentId",5064182,"title","Board adopts ISD 917 long-term facilities maintenance plan; district flags high-school roof as upcoming need","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",4490000,"endMs",5088000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e&start=4490&end=5088","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e/thumbnail_4490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6187942/Minnesota/Board-adopts-ISD-917-long-term-facilities-maintenance-plan-district-flags-high-school-roof-as-upcoming-need","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187942-80f5ebe2740a69ef00bb5c7562cb2ebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037643&Signature=W2LhshmjmvQPmpfC4NhrcyjuA6Z1ATCf3xPQkPmS2AwoBWoKK~Uke6VWJ0aMiAucoy~u-5vYhEIcAhARGCawzvdQ5~8Bq6PIQyRguZkf5ZJiQ42a8oZIjsEYoJX1nX3IZK1qjY~t1Utp~pmAAlPjrmmZK-r1QcSGXs31tYPfyvVLiHqtw94C0wy55e3pG-Tlyzg7Xif1XD02kQs3ynFSzD8M~CrGrVncOEo2vGcNdgr-MrrfeRqym2Y7blA5~u-tpkggAZOvuJ4DNfC8xU70a3yjlnwoBWpq48PxNl0Xy7x2HxJfyErJyqTRUhK2xtUv5oe3H~oNY-nr~q9UCtpA-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Farmington Area Public Schools","date","2025-06-24T01:25:46Z","article","The Farmington School Board approved the district’s long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) plan and a resolution to include a proportionate share of Intermediate School District (ISD) 917 projects in its LTFM application, facilities staff said.

Hunter Miller (facilities) presented the annual 10-year LTFM planning process the state requires. He told the board the funding stream primarily supports deferred maintenance and statutory health and safety obligations and is driven by factors such as building square footage, building ages and enrollment. Miller said the district currently receives roughly a 50/50 split of aid and levy for LTFM revenue and cited an approximate annual LTFM revenue figure used for planning.

Miller noted the district’s largest near-term liability is the high-school roof, which will approach typical replacement age in the coming years. Administration said it will commission more detailed roofing evaluations from engineering partners over the summer to determine exact needs and timing; no immediate large roofing project was authorized at the meeting.

The board adopted the ISD 917 LTFM plan and authorized inclusion of the district’s proportional share of the cooperative projects in the application. The motion to adopt the resolution carried on a voice vote.

Board members asked questions about the new ability to levy for roofing projects and about how past bond revenue was used to address roofs and deferred maintenance. Miller said the district used prior bond funds to complete considerable roof work and that the district is in a relatively good position compared to many other Minnesota districts, though the high school will require closer examination.

The resolution authorizes administration to submit the required LTFM plan and funding application to the state for the coming fiscal year; the board will consider more specific project-level approvals later if significant capital work is recommended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the district’s long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) plan and a proportional share of ISD 917’s LTFM projects. Administration said the district will begin an engineering evaluation of the high school roof this summer.","taxTitle","FARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38599,"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},6187947,"Farmington board reviews Studer survey: high marks for belonging, concerns about peer kindness and communication",1708,629000,2337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e&start=629&end=2337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e/thumbnail_629000.jpg","/articles/6187947/Minnesota/Farmington-board-reviews-Studer-survey-high-marks-for-belonging-concerns-about-peer-kindness-and-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187947-385847f857f784f66efb82ca87b9786e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037643&Signature=NSah9X~2NceXXIk5hRv58oedFMDzyFHEjs5XJuvU0GLKGuFz39DC20kPuPnNNEB3X5xERHwec22VShtbyvZrq~1rY-LUubie8iXoqm9gZEC4i7prcigeZCv488u2j717CWG5UhuffEupo3ClEYCRI6nTdcSYwomIcYhbi2bkuN1KRYE1e-DHmagOMfuW~Zp7CSjx1iOl~pJl-ErU8HExIt3HcqIxWea9GtE~SbxRuqziS2cQSoESnf0R~VHu7U1FKih3LqzqKPSA41hX3jiS6YrBEHSyu6ImLFVsNv7oDnAvfN7qdFHocxrUIjmQPvLR5g7K~CBTOFeTrzrGNaEqUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Jason Berg presented the results of the district’s spring 2025 Studer survey to the Farmington School Board, saying the instrument provides “good baseline data” that will inform strategic planning and operational improvements.

Berg summarized headline findings: learner responses were similar to 2023 with average scores near 3.7 (on the five-point scale); roughly 84% of learners agreed or strongly agreed that ‘‘their learning is important’’; parents and caregivers reported consistent perceptions year-over-year; and staff reported a strong sense of purpose and peer collaboration. Berg noted staff response rates were lower in 2025 compared with a prior administration but aggregate scores remained similar.

The survey also highlighted areas for improvement across groups. Learners reported challenges in peer kindness and enjoyment of the school day as they progress into secondary grades; they asked for more learner voice and differentiation in instruction and clearer, more consistent enforcement of rules. Parents asked for greater clarity on academic rigor and more proactive feedback rather than waiting for conferences. Staff raised concerns about the clarity and timeliness of budget-related communications, resourcing and class-size issues, and requested targeted professional development and instructional resources.

Board members and staff discussed how the district might target investments to address those concerns. Board members asked for better data on families who choose non-enrollment options (charter school, homeschooling, open enrollment) so the district can better understand drivers of enrollment changes. Administration said the district conducts exit surveys occasionally but acknowledged more targeted outreach to non-enrolled resident families would be useful.

Berg and board members emphasized that the survey data should be paired with follow-up planning: identify focused investments for enrichment, acceleration and communication improvements and then measure progress. No formal board action was taken at the meeting; administration was asked to use the survey findings as one input to upcoming strategic planning and budgeting conversations.

The board discussed how budgeting constraints and enrollment trends have affected program reductions and staffing decisions and noted that final strategy decisions will depend on funding available through levies, state aid and assigned fund balances.","District leaders told the board that the spring 2025 Studer survey showed steady overall scores versus 2023, strong perceptions of learning importance, and areas for growth including peer kindness, enjoyment of the school day, student voice, and clearer communication with parents.",{"_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},6187952,"Farmington schools report mixed results after first year of cell-phone policy; students cite inconsistent enforcement",1808,2316000,4124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e&start=2316&end=4124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e/thumbnail_2316000.jpg","/articles/6187952/Minnesota/Farmington-schools-report-mixed-results-after-first-year-of-cell-phone-policy-students-cite-inconsistent-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187952-c50a0d5e497c4cc37f1340bda7930ad8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037643&Signature=VvppIuoUQjn5JsZO7fhUXjv6PQ2ok3QpSz0HqTWEJA0QmoK0h7YCYlMP0NaGmbRZgB1iYHF0~GCdaXjhdXsfChWf4cevmXPay5CTuvfw3YZ2A9ZigielfSzOAotzR44p23msmG6kpaXsbl5i-0KrUMGXN89SfMAN81efgs-oljGU70PquY-ivWbNAJjc~7-e12oQ8RkICqwmJLDnbyefIl2PprdSv4UlPJmj3KPO6B1apUtoDJ0-zqFUk7KPc7pxsc~gZ2o-OH8SCVhStRxiYcxwPVteRdPMBzd-ekd-lBk4Q34zdUwpcJO63FNaPuLhADHlLSnQGf8aujjzj2Uucg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff and building principals told the Farmington School Board that the district’s first year using policy 10/22 (student use of personal mobile phones and devices) produced reduced student distractibility and more in-person collaboration, but students reported inconsistent classroom enforcement—especially at the high school.

Chris Bussman, director of secondary learning, summarized the district’s approach and told the board the policy aimed to “set the expectation” and create “a supportive yet consistent, and I think really important, a predictable environment for learners.” He said the district leaned on site teams to develop building-level procedures that fit their grade levels.

Principals from elementary, middle and high school levels described implementation steps that included summer communications to families, signage, teacher guidance on tiered responses (gentle reminders up to more formal steps), and classroom posters outlining a four-step response. Andy Nelson and Sean Peck said most elementary and middle school students adapted quickly; middle-school staff reported about 80% of students had no violations for the year.

High-school students and some board members said enforcement varied by classroom and teacher. Student board members described wide differences in practice between teachers and across days, saying that some classrooms used pouches or caddies while others did not. One student said, “Most of my classes, it wasn't really enforced. I don't think I once saw the step thing actually used with a teacher.” Another student described being on edge because enforcement varied “every single classroom.”

Principals and district leaders acknowledged the inconsistency and told the board they would follow up. Superintendent Berg and board members asked administration to return in August with recommended, practical supports for teachers so enforcement could be more consistent. Board members suggested low-cost, district-provided solutions such as uniform pouches or caddies to remove barriers for teachers who would otherwise need to buy classroom equipment.

School leaders also called out specific device types: smartwatches and wireless earbuds (AirPods) can be harder to manage than phones. Middle-school principals said they generally asked students to remove AirPods; smartwatches that did not present a clear distraction were sometimes allowed. Board members asked for clarification and a districtwide reminder on those device categories.

No formal policy changes were enacted at the meeting. The board directed administration to gather teacher input on supports (for example, inexpensive classroom caddies) and to report back with an implementation plan and any costs by August.","District leaders told the board the new policy limiting student personal device use reduced distractibility and improved in-person interaction, but high-school students and some teachers reported inconsistent enforcement. The board asked administration to follow up with staff supports and report back in August.",{"_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},6187957,"Farmington board amends 2024–25 budget and adopts 2025–26 budget after cuts and pauses to planned projects",1906,5014000,6920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e&start=5014&end=6920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064182-4e49e1eec05cd56ed0bb0c275c0bbf2e/thumbnail_5014000.jpg","/articles/6187957/Minnesota/Farmington-board-amends-202425-budget-and-adopts-202526-budget-after-cuts-and-pauses-to-planned-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187957-34585def83d511d8d5ae59658c40c824/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037643&Signature=WrfLAQMqwXgZ78arEGv7FbnguXVzGQ1fd1K6i3wareXrzCAalod4~2WgFwP-DM4Avr5mbHdzdIj3lc27saUnFfLYNb-eHODtwStR4NMfZhGKtAUTaS8mOxqj4iy-y5nthpakZEkY6H3bXm6mFyaJT1wdgDiaH1pwU2dWA4zp6iDhuPjTTYldZheSJi99ukIhzka0NgPkLUKj0R8JIJQied9F6HkdlLJYO4mlqURMWiszGQ4U2nVLFo36Wtwi2yEeRjoxTx2xwWKoR5u-G6yc~2YU~ZGGqVA9qikfBnNqOHS7PH~rlrMjXiLI9hYtUIEVC3eABHmO4Pf1S~iUpAvjzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmington Public School District board approved a 2024–25 budget amendment adding roughly $2 million in expenditures and voted to adopt the 2025–26 budget after targeted reductions and pauses, board members said.

The board’s amendment to the current-year budget adds about $2 million in costs including roughly $700,000 for MacBooks and licensing, $500,000 for long-term facilities maintenance work at the high school, and about $800,000 tied to contract settlements, district staff said. Administration reported an operating deficit near $3.6 million before the board’s action and recommended using assigned fund balances to cover most of the shortfall.

The vote matters because the district must balance instructional priorities with declining enrollment and rising costs. Superintendent Jason Berg told the board that state reports and final allocations were still arriving and that enrollment-driven revenue was under budgeted projections, leaving some amounts “pretty volatile.”

District staff presented the amendment and said they planned to use roughly $1.9 million from assigned fund balances set aside for technology, LTFM and other planned uses. The administration said the district had about $3.9 million in assigned funds at the time of the presentation and that the amendment would leave approximately $2.0 million earmarked for the 2025–26 budget.

Board members then reviewed a set of proposed one-time reductions and postponements to limit the use of unassigned reserves in the coming year. The board voted to: leave a vacant districtwide coaching position unfilled for the coming year (motion passed 5–1); pause the strategic-planning engagement the board had discussed (motion passed); and pause a second external survey (the Studer survey) that the district had planned to run (motion passed). The board did not approve motions to eliminate a Building Management System (BMS) health aide or to cut building supply budgets, so those items remained in the budget.

After the amendments and the targeted cuts, the board voted to adopt the 2025–26 budget as amended. The motion to adopt the recommended 2025–26 budget passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The board also adopted the 2024–25 LTFM plan (separately), and administration said roofing evaluation for the high school would continue this summer as part of the LTFM planning.

Board members said they attempted to balance protecting classroom programs with the district’s financial reality, acknowledging that some contract settlements increased 2024–25 costs and would influence next year’s budget. Superintendent Berg and finance staff said they would continue to monitor final state ADM and special-education aid figures as the district closes the fiscal year.

The board’s actions leave the district with reduced reliance on unassigned reserves but keep several operational commitments in place while pausing new consulting engagements until the district’s fiscal position stabilizes.

Details and next steps provided by the district include continued monitoring of final MDE allocations, further analysis of special-education tuition bills, and planned evaluation of high-school roofing needs this summer.","The Farmington School Board approved a $2 million amendment to the 2024–25 budget and adopted the 2025–26 budget after approving targeted reductions and pauses—including leaving a vacant districtwide coaching post unfilled and pausing strategic-planning purchases and a community survey.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts ISD 917 long-term facilities maintenance plan; district flags high-school roof as upcoming need

Farmington board reviews Studer survey: high marks for belonging, concerns about peer kindness and communication

Farmington schools report mixed results after first year of cell-phone policy; students cite inconsistent enforcement

Farmington board amends 2024–25 budget and adopts 2025–26 budget after cuts and pauses to planned projects