[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6145755,"mediaKeyId","5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292","parentId",5531083,"title","Shakopee board approves resolution to place two-question operating levy on Nov. 4 special election","audioSeconds",432,"startMs",3607000,"endMs",4039000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292&start=3607&end=4039","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292/thumbnail_3607000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145755/Minnesota/Shakopee-board-approves-resolution-to-place-two-question-operating-levy-on-Nov-4-special-election","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145755-b0b091ab651edcc0c335a3352258c103/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834274&Signature=g-SuBz2EB7gJuExizXGpXvJ6CVPWkWWkT4BFIvn90EIK42sOI2vmlkTL9vWJMVEYrxaZp2Ooy~42gMaf568U5iWs2ynysS85AElnyNKd1H99Zs21svEFUZIIMsPcfMMi~C0x7j53tDpSv5dNLz6poa~PZV3g6m9f7qTKf4XCUju2T36bYUjj-iindc4q-iFzIwscw64jEelbmci8IsnBLeV8OxT3RlEJ3o4-O6uWyj-frkL3DxzVbL6u5ncDswU5Sy-an19qhsR6qp8VsQZFiLDHuPqXYKf4tbaWbNMYeamjewVwzJJNzCvXLGvNypA54YMrEm~UBswaqlDYZYNf0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shakopee Public School District","date","2025-08-05T11:14:45.947Z","article","The Shakopee School Board voted July 28 to adopt a resolution calling a special election Nov. 4 on a two-question operating levy that would ask voters to authorize a $620-per-pupil levy and, if that question passes, an additional $310-per-pupil request to reach the statutory levy cap.

Superintendent Dr. Redmond presented the resolution and explained the two parts: “That is the $620 per pupil, the amount that is tax neutral on a $400,000 home,” and the second question is $310 per pupil (adjusted for CPI for taxes payable in 2026), which would be contingent on approval of the first question. The board approved the resolution by roll-call vote after a motion by Vice Chair Peterson and a second by Johnson; the motion passed.

Nut graf: District leaders say the levy is meant to offset a predicted $7 million to $9 million budget shortfall in fiscal 2026–27 stemming from state funding that lagged inflation and from enrollment declines. Approving Question 1 would shift roughly $5.0 million in community tax dollars from an expiring construction debt levy to district operating revenue in calendar 2026; Question 2 would add about $2.5 million more and move the district to the statutory referendum-cap level.

Board members and staff stressed the timeline and practical effects for taxpayers and the district. Dr. Redmond said the district expects the first year of levy revenue to appear in fiscal 2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027). He showed tax-impact tables stating that, for a $400,000 homestead, Question 2 alone would add about $105 annually (approximately $8.71 per month) and that the combined package was presented as roughly tax-neutral for many homeowners when replacing the expiring debt levy. Dr. Redmond and district finance staff noted that construction debt is collected on a different tax base (net tax capacity) than operating levies (referendum market value), so the replacement is not a dollar-for-dollar swap for all property types.

The board also approved a companion notice of special election and a PMA-prepared financial summary that the district will use in outreach. Board members set the canvass of election results for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, and approved a temporary “constructive feedback” committee to advise on communications about the ballot question.

Discussion: Board members asked for clarifications about the projected revenue amounts, how the referendum market value basis affects various property types, and the projection assumptions (enrollment forecasts and tax-rate baselines). Finance staff said the $5.0 million and $2.5 million figures are based on the district’s projected enrollment and current referendum market values and that the CPI update for the second question had been incorporated into the published resolution and tax schedules. The board identified that if Question 1 fails, the results of Question 2 will not be considered — Question 2 is contingent on passage of Question 1.

Next steps and community outreach: The district plans public forums (Sept. 16 and Oct. 23) and to post explanatory material on the district’s website. Dr. Redmond said the district will continue to make $3.0 million in permanent expenditure reductions irrespective of the election outcome and that, if voters do not approve Question 1, the district anticipates making additional cuts (approximately $5.0 million for 2026–27 and a further $2.5 million in 2027–28 unless the voters approve the levies).

Ending: The board’s action formalizes the June 23 conceptual vote into the legal steps required to put the questions before voters in November. The district will publish the PMA financial summary and tax tables and hold two community forums before the election to answer questions and collect input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 7.28.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Shakopee School Board voted July 28 to call a Nov. 4 special election asking voters to approve a two-question operating levy — a $620-per-pupil request and a contingent $310-per-pupil question — to replace expiring construction debt and raise operating revenue to address projected budget shortfalls.","taxTitle","SHAKOPEE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38434,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145740,"Board approves 2025–26 online handbooks; district adds AI language, attendance guidance and elementary passing-time change",421,3186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292&start=3186&end=3607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6145740/Minnesota/Board-approves-202526-online-handbooks-district-adds-AI-language-attendance-guidance-and-elementary-passing-time-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145740-c86e4b6167a475d06a9759e8a241bea4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834274&Signature=BnLV0D81TAN5xEiDR5nr2MKrThXlxoYF9qTGq7lXvfw1RT12tYXwfKtmzpCCwd7vGMzhEB6mSs~cq094RsM5fme~TYtsWww4JfJ8n76AJl1PdKKkCnJViyp52SVz2nBVaF15j27QongcYoi5~CIlrEufxNo0qH7ASHeG0IECFhiCYyP~37Yld62Tin-am2KkD~a8sHFs6Rsh0p-Dc2zMe8nNcUnkGt-ZWrD7~nZaahjMEg5KyDFoLWyxWtrSd141KxZZc5BNTeECCU0GXY9DEgsIC4hmpZ3NZS-8iJqnb9IYqDp9Of~o~YWbmo9z1nBQUX3gxhW8monQph7PL1ISPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shakopee School Board voted July 28 to approve the district’s 2025–26 online handbooks, which combine site-level guidance and four universal documents that district leaders said will standardize procedures for families and staff.

Assistant Superintendent Jim McClosic summarized the changes and said the handbooks now include a one-page technology guide for parents, a standardized attendance document developed by district leaders, a back-to-school resource section tied to the StopFinder rollout, and an intentionally general policy on artificial intelligence designed to give administrators discretion in classroom application.

Nut graf: The board framed the move to online handbooks as an effort to make information easier for families to find and to align site-level language with district-level policies on attendance, technology and academic integrity. The AI language was kept intentionally broad so building administrators and teachers can address misuse and preserve opportunities to teach original student work.

At the high school level, staff added a transcript policy clarifying that when a student retakes a class the original grade remains on the transcript but only the higher grade will be used in GPA calculations; the handbook also recognizes EPO (external program option) partnerships and directs a task force to study parking-lot challenges.

Board member Brophy moved to approve the handbooks; Aldrich seconded. The board approved the action by roll-call vote.

Ending: District leaders said they will make handbook materials publicly available online and that additional communications will explain the AI guidance, the attendance expectations, and the elementary passing-time adjustment before school starts.","The school board approved the district’s 2025–26 online handbooks, which include a general AI-use policy, standardized attendance guidance, a technology quick-start for parents, and a five-minute increase to elementary advisory/passing time; high-school changes on grade retakes, EPO recognition and a parking task force were also noted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145745,"Shakopee schools outline updated crisis, safety plans: run-hide-fight training, weather-aware fire drills and SRO changes",412,1760000,2172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292&start=1760&end=2172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292/thumbnail_1760000.jpg","/articles/6145745/Minnesota/Shakopee-schools-outline-updated-crisis-safety-plans-run-hide-fight-training-weather-aware-fire-drills-and-SRO-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145745-72cf6273b07eaa38e67f2a61f4776d53/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834274&Signature=XGlxCoB4BT7V73TdCNgmgey5t7X2lzTpkFJ-gLYK9XQyPjj-QXlMvYC4lQrqut6y6Zzj56AvgtzeCpzLoV0KSgSAYtlv-Q41MuHqy6q0OuNHV5uTj6bv48X9zyFzWsiYWQogGuZPJrhMoPMq4JD26CapWRMW0hOhMqLDFJaN60mvhmXtk9I1jfInSzyEKuTE9TvXSv9XKdwD6MUEVMTBa6iT~6RtYJZfku8cGXc37u1jU4bL~WW-IAm1mIdwfHQ9KRCJ5r-GCqd515rc8lCn4466a4utNXNQ0-hEAF6-Ly-iHLhH68IdY7ifvv1o-m4Jq1Kl8SEkx2u5tXntXsi3cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Superintendent Jim McClosic and District Crisis and Safety Coordinator Ken Christiansen presented the district’s annual crisis-and-safety update July 28, detailing staffing changes, procedural updates and training planned for the 2025–26 school year.

McClosic said the district will add two sworn school resource officers (SROs) this year — Jeff Wyckoff and Keith Downey — and that Sergeant Angela Trunt will serve as the primary police contact for regular coordination with district staff. He said the district uses a standard threat-assessment checklist for any concerning social-media post, comment or rumor and involves local law enforcement whenever there is a credible threat.

Nut graf: District safety leaders described three near-term changes they said would change how schools respond to certain alarms and incidents: a state fire-marshal review of revised fire-drill procedures to create interior sheltering options during severe weather; a district-adapted run-hide-fight protocol to replace broader ALICE training; and expanded crisis manuals and maps for events held outside school hours or offsite.

Ken Christiansen described the fire-drill issue as a priority. Under current policy with the Shakopee Fire Department, an alarm requires full evacuation regardless of outside weather; Christiansen said the district is working with the state fire marshal to approve a plan that would allow an interior sheltering option during severe-weather events and that the state review was expected back within one to two weeks before school-level rollouts.

Christiansen said the district will switch from national ALICE training to a Shakopee-specific run-hide-fight training that retains ALICE concepts but is tailored to local buildings and student needs; staff training will begin Aug. 1. He said the staff training video is about nine minutes long and that the district will later post a family-facing video explaining the multi-tiered safety matrix and reunification procedures.

The district plans one-on-one visits with teachers and principals to review building-specific procedures, test emergency buttons and door locks, and use the Raptor system to track training completion and renewals. Christiansen said a crisis manual for non-school activities (e.g., outdoor graduations, play practices, facility rentals) will be published so event supervisors can find tornado-shelter maps and contact lists outside regular school hours.

Ending: McClosic said the district reviews every incident to determine what worked and what did not and then shares lessons with other buildings. District officials said they would seek safety grants where available and continue close coordination with Scott County first responders.","District staff previewed annual crisis-and-safety work, including two new SROs, a state-submitted plan to allow interior sheltering on severe-weather fire alarms, a district-specific run-hide-fight training replacing ALICE, and a public rollout of reunification and event-specific crisis manuals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145750,"State representative warns Shakopee board of projected K–12 cuts, special-education review",1209,509000,1718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292&start=509&end=1718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531083-3a7d5d33bacb5b56a8b253320ca88292/thumbnail_509000.jpg","/articles/6145750/Minnesota/State-representative-warns-Shakopee-board-of-projected-K12-cuts-special-education-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145750-5147fd9567fa259d7975aec915089082/orig.mp4?Expires=1774834274&Signature=TpKHIuahYDkd2WlDvG0rbis0nz6UDQb3VCA0GpWs25XrsoKkjauKpOfAM1Zo8CxW4dNUt5bRgJSOYNWJs8uLiuPzmEtIUzzXFB5NgMeB-YHPwTtc8y9lcNHqTRqsxG5u~t3WGgQ~jXvHv9KYi0bo3PhB0r22tvnw-v2enyxaK-bcb9awBebMJhYsP~7Wy1nOOr7ZsCd4WSsxU1WAKFtZK4ajdCQMD5JwR62gXHp7n0YvmstlhUah62UtKiz5yqvE2EPxlBFxbGQucth8sBfYMgiyalMiwdZ45ZnYbbkrE-o~~YoA3BtvVX-FbwvHklj3Vz5cgbO2Q9NEM12w4MVPfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ben Baker (District 54B) told the Shakopee School Board on July 28 that the recent legislative session left unresolved funding and policy issues that will affect local schools.

Baker, a member of the education finance committee, told the board he supported the original education bill in the House but voted against the final negotiated bill because, he said, “we cut money to schools in the next 2 years by about $71,000,000, and we increased the Department of Ed budget by $18,000,000.” He said those tradeoffs reduce direct funding to districts while increasing state administrative spending.

Nut graf: Baker warned the board that a legislatively mandated Blue Ribbon Commission must identify about $250 million in special-education reductions; he said failure to agree on targeted reductions could produce a “generic cut” that would affect all districts. He urged district leaders to monitor the commission’s work and prepare for state-driven changes to special-education funding.

Baker said lawmakers sought to reduce paperwork burdens and mandates but that disagreement among stakeholders limited progress. He also described bipartisan efforts on instructional hours and flexibility for secondary instruction (seat time), saying a provision to allow local innovation was included in policy discussions but that the Department of Education added a significant fiscal bill late in the process that undercut the change.

Board members questioned the feasibility of large special-education cuts and asked for details about current special-education spending; Baker said he would share the total cost figures with business managers but did not have them at hand. He stressed that local fiscal leaders need to be active in IEP meetings and in budgeting decisions because future cuts could result in reduced services if the commission cannot find targeted reductions.

Ending: Baker closed by urging continued partnership between legislators and district leaders and by noting bipartisan interest in allowing districts greater local flexibility on instructional time. He offered to be a contact for the district’s questions about the commission and education finance work.
","Representative Ben Baker updated the Shakopee School Board on the recent legislative session, saying state education policy left local districts facing decreased funding and mandating a Blue Ribbon Commission to find cuts, including $250 million in special-education reductions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shakopee board approves resolution to place two-question operating levy on Nov. 4 special election

Board approves 2025–26 online handbooks; district adds AI language, attendance guidance and elementary passing-time change

Shakopee schools outline updated crisis, safety plans: run-hide-fight training, weather-aware fire drills and SRO changes

State representative warns Shakopee board of projected K–12 cuts, special-education review