[{"_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",6588322,"mediaKeyId","5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc","parentId",5681148,"title","Board holds first reading of policies on adult maltreatment reporting and chemical use prevention","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",1393000,"endMs",1494000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc&start=1393&end=1494","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc/thumbnail_1393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588322/Minnesota/Board-holds-first-reading-of-policies-on-adult-maltreatment-reporting-and-chemical-use-prevention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588322-23bae313fd5a8f4a31490de5bb315d09/orig.mp4?Expires=1772880559&Signature=G4hJADaBFEA6o2Ii0B6gIGfb6~qnqD4E-RozOmoy17XDPVmvGy5S86-TL-zbBn7B3k2ny2S-TYOpDPpq646u4P760H2Vv8JOhna35WrgFnigUSDijFlO81WmzKPrIDNMpyF18oZEka-w0adN57oa6tEatKhUYps5gCLk7wDskQdrmEdqB3NMXVrT3LQlB2Fib1V3MwtsH1wn~l3dAFYbEr4vFlg5JXDm~dTpB6~lTR2IXiZB6Z~j3loP-x3QfdsLdZTBj5gtYRNKB-~6bI-bEc8AI1FWZhi5ewFzr1ci90ogvcM6umbqaPKR8OMLzXXN2ujgXyoNy4~VEGdW0Durng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Prague Area Schools","date","2025-08-26T11:57:25Z","article","The New Prague Area Schools board conducted a first reading of two mandatory policies at its recent meeting: Policy 415, on mandated reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults, and Policy 417, on chemical use and abuse. No votes were taken; both items were presented as first reads.

Policy 415 was described as clarifying statutory reporting requirements for school personnel regarding suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. Board members offered no substantive edits during the first reading.

Policy 417 states the district's role in education, intervention and prevention of chemical use and abuse and provides procedures for education and intervention. During discussion, a board member asked specifically about a provision requiring pre-assessment teams and which schools participate in those teams. The board sought clarification on which buildings have participating teams and which do not; the presenter answered with a procedural question about levels of schools but did not identify a definitive list of participating schools during the meeting.

Because these were first readings, the policies remain under review; the board did not take formal action and asked for further clarification on the pre-assessment team participation for Policy 417 before final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NPAS School Board Meeting, August 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The school board reviewed two mandatory first-read policies: Policy 415 (mandated reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults) and Policy 417 (chemical use and abuse). Board members raised a question about which buildings participate in a pre-assessment team described in Policy 417; the participation list was not specified during the meeting.","taxTitle","NEW PRAGUE AREA SCHOOLS, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",57134,"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},6588327,"Human resources highlights onboarding push, job fair and summer hiring for new school year",786,96000,882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc&start=96&end=882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6588327/Minnesota/Human-resources-highlights-onboarding-push-job-fair-and-summer-hiring-for-new-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588327-cd85e1e9235ca056475379e7009f3373/orig.mp4?Expires=1772880559&Signature=kg8l1IBrYEO9v9yW6iujAxMbhZxWzfA6Poho3CNImnTVjU~pjnvSv3VnutrU1MSWsGkgmIdmc0dFwP6LBX4MaYuqf8Byc9GmvkJ3QOJCzcmy5uOPOpmiBDjots8NMl~B4cCkYqXW0dklDIJt4QkdbV1bj~Bc5XKXkYKoZ-Hz1UkwVR3dVCqJiGYcolYsm1IIAhAJkL7B~p0IhsXV-JfcrrXDERHxpd4DBpICeJEwoMhhbCiUbLjea0ljH6Ype7yH-yzuKb5-rW8yoaDbVJ~6NESrBn5v8EvCD7-JiJGkqPrmYSmcZGqiM~5XyrYklG6hWqJ0Wq6d0Udt-mt~3eMRZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Boothe, the district human-resources director, told the school board the HR team held expanded onboarding and recruiting events this summer and has filled multiple support and instructional positions ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

\"This is my first summer that I've been the HR director, and I tell people it was a very full summer,\" Boothe said, describing a new approach to orientation. On Aug. 11 the district invited new teachers and all staff with less than one year in the district — about 45 people — to a combined welcome and training day that mixed teachers and support staff, included benefits information and aimed to strengthen retention.

Boothe said the district held an employee job fair on Aug. 5 that ran 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., drew about 20–25 attendees and resulted in six hires. Across two job fairs (spring and summer) the district hired eight people from fair attendees.

He reported July–August hiring totals and open positions by area: six K–12 paraprofessionals hired with three paraprofessional openings remaining (all in special education), six community-education paraprofessionals hired, five nutrition-services hires, three custodians hired and one transportation hire. The district also ran substitute training attended by about 15–18 people.

Boothe credited HR specialists Amanda Kolock and Melissa Kartek and said administrators were engaged in orientation activities including building tours, sessions on student mental health and strategies for supporting students with behavioral needs. He emphasized retention and new-employee supports as priorities: \"We want them to stay here. We want to retain those folks because it is a lot of work to bringing, onboarding a staff member.\"

Board members congratulated HR on recruitment results and the presentation concluded without action.","Tony Boothe, the district's HR director, described summer onboarding and recruiting efforts, including an expanded orientation for new and recently hired staff, a job fair that yielded several hires and staffing counts for paraprofessionals, nutrition services, custodial and transportation roles.",{"_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},6588332,"School board appoints election judges and absentee-ballot board for Nov. 4 special election",169,3035000,3204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc&start=3035&end=3204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc/thumbnail_3035000.jpg","/articles/6588332/Minnesota/School-board-appoints-election-judges-and-absentee-ballot-board-for-Nov-4-special-election","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588332-77e7cc6224456009ab545f2c8018dc51/orig.mp4?Expires=1772880559&Signature=TL1p34ZGFtbyDbl5-xPsw1apgRcflQ7bedwYofnnSJGUzr9G~0YTKrJQqkJNsWNOXHQpWve5SSIZVFRnemNFJARWJe9U0G4Axbf71yAf2e~fV3RIjqwNCNFl7OjMj2gccV2Bw8sA1eUFuK1dvpTXQVmfWOCGw0fH2rPCoPKUSNIYHQz79bmqXo6VYIH5jNlVtLAbfozw37OlRCowKn1zuWdU3l-Uop2CVhcxzZlvbMZTOKtHvc6kHW3goF80euz3Vx30eNFArtcIf8J-I1qCvH4jvZhkAxIpEnmZrGjEu-nvRLDYZC6DRlZSPB25TczjvlSNq7gk8xNBuFKIDI4DiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school board of Independent School District 721 voted to appoint election judges for the Nov. 4, 2025 special election and named district office staff to serve as absentee-ballot board members and as agents to deliver absentee ballots to hospital and long-term-care residents.

Board member Dan read the resolution appointing judges for polling places identified in the text (Saint Patrick Social Hall; Elko New Market City Hall; IC Church Civic Center; New Prague Fitness and Aquatic Center) and listing the absentee-ballot board and delivery designees as district office staff members including Sandy Lynn, Jen Sailor, Patty Solheide, Vera Schoenacker, Alan Stika, Lori Biesick and Barb Buthe.

The resolution also designates alternate judges as needed and instructs election judges to act as clerks, count ballots and submit results for the boards' canvass. The board cited Minnesota Statute 203B.11 regarding delivery of absentee ballots to patients and residents of health-care facilities.

The motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. Board members recorded voting in favor: Karen (yes), Anne (yes), Kim (yes), Denny (aye), Carrie (yes), Jean (yes) and Dan (yes).

No member was recorded voting against the appointment. The resolution will allow the district to staff polling sites and absentee operations for the Nov. 4 special election.","The New Prague Area Schools board passed a resolution appointing election judges for polling places and naming district staff to the absentee-ballot board and to deliver absentee ballots to health-care facilities in accordance with Minnesota statute 203B.11.",{"_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},6588337,"New Prague Area Schools details $2 million-a-year operating referendum, tax impact and possible cuts if it fails",1235,1523000,2758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc&start=1523&end=2758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681148-c1ca20348f4cdc1abe1ac8f6d741bebc/thumbnail_1523000.jpg","/articles/6588337/Minnesota/New-Prague-Area-Schools-details-2-million-a-year-operating-referendum-tax-impact-and-possible-cuts-if-it-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588337-592e8c63b9902d7c8e5303fa551debf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1772880559&Signature=agDAU-mwMmfds7hYurYD0DSpGTOIgN3UEEYoUvarsHaj0RXJt5Gc~r39WP1mtGDjBdAdd-0Acz1JryucWFRlz~k6WpI0NgVg6~L7~6mWxUjCLToLDMsYJfZv9CqYQCdJ9kSfxtUfURNzgqDNIS7-EGAAEonf4LXq6fkl-tKLyUDIA5kJKmXBAXpjK8H5MxvVoc~1UPai5~JCjidw0mKl8dISG9TPbPeI66UAYZnekeGJXfzdMdqziFhYVF8fpDQDRohYuIAzFZUhRPq3KHd3BjS-v12BiiXU~LcqqPzLpb21wLNqs2cdKiZKgoixMC~aSeyi3ZAnC1CGNRsFvKHsdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Andy Valmute told the New Prague Area Schools board on Aug. (presentation date not specified) that the district will ask voters on Nov. 4 to approve a $510-per-pupil operating referendum, about $2 million a year for 10 years, to maintain current programs and positions.

Valmute framed the measure as a maintenance request after roughly $7 million in reductions in recent years. \"This request is about maintaining what we have,\" he said, adding the request includes an inflationary factor and is not intended to add programs.

The district estimates the measure would raise about $2,000,000 per year for 10 years. Using a $400,000 home value as the local benchmark, Valmute said the tax impact would be roughly $20 a month; the presentation includes a tax calculator the district plans to publish on its referendum website around Sept. 1 so voters can estimate their own impact.

Valmute told the board the district is running separate information and advocacy efforts: information teams based in schools to explain the request and its potential impacts, and a community advocacy team of volunteers who can encourage voters one way or another. Early in-person absentee voting is scheduled to begin Sept. 19; Valmute said the district cannot offer mobile voting and will support early voting at district polling locations.

Valmute reviewed prior budget reductions and potential consequences if voters do not approve the referendum: increases in class size at all grade levels, reductions to transportation services (longer bus rides for some students and greater walking distances for in-town students), and loss of positions or programs. He emphasized the district's goal is to avoid those outcomes and to preserve current services.

Board members asked procedural questions about campaign timing and legal options. Valmute said a 2023 legislative provision allowing one-time renewed operating referendums without returning to voters had already been used by the district and is not a recurring option. He also noted neighboring districts are pursuing similar operating requests.

The presentation repeated the district's cost-containment history and emphasized that the referendum is not intended to expand services but to sustain current staffing and programs. Valmute said the district will roll out a website with FAQs and the tax calculator and expects its advocacy team to be active in early September.

Questions and clarifications from board members focused on timeline and community outreach; no formal board vote on the referendum measure occurred during the meeting.

For the record: the district identified the referendum question as an operating referendum of $510 per pupil for 10 years, with November 4 listed as Election Day and early absentee voting beginning Sept. 19.","Superintendent Dr. Andy Valmute told the school board the district will ask voters Nov. 4 for a $510-per-pupil, $2 million-a-year operating referendum for 10 years to maintain current services. He outlined tax estimates, prior budget cuts and potential program and transportation reductions if voters do not approve the request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board holds first reading of policies on adult maltreatment reporting and chemical use prevention

Human resources highlights onboarding push, job fair and summer hiring for new school year

School board appoints election judges and absentee-ballot board for Nov. 4 special election

New Prague Area Schools details $2 million-a-year operating referendum, tax impact and possible cuts if it fails