[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6508344,"mediaKeyId","5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3","parentId",5702891,"title","Board approves superintendent’s multi‑year contract with no salary increase for next terms","audioSeconds",153,"startMs",1879000,"endMs",2032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3&start=1879&end=2032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3/thumbnail_1879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508344/Minnesota/Board-approves-superintendents-multiyear-contract-with-no-salary-increase-for-next-terms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508344-88bc6e4b79a6b20291c55274c12aab01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744396&Signature=WJ5RXevLXSR~0o2FTSdIFoakBDqYqQE1CiuZZ~5RDCDQC783OHGV-WL3VadT7PukrsdHMBezW~p-idBhPofy9W8mOwnpfnOjx0ZuJLZ8QU~HLPffqz52uknkKWGGmzj-I139KXdQ2RHy8Z1QigSGEWrLyvSsU21TXdK~mcHAYJE4F79yhL6WN~7bKiOUOIRRH6POvaRpZ6LEpDLHwgv2aibRCGm9fpjNVCc5qardwLTDucxJFuXtQXFQaGyBJwtL7QYfrKWm~aQZ0LWayYQdxN-L4ttIagNh7Li9IPBjU5TdmKJnsLWoxDFF3t9yIhdolN0Hc0Grp1nD2k3bKx8vPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Rapids Area Schools","date","2025-06-17T12:58:56Z","article","The Grand Rapids Public School District Board of Education approved a tentative employment agreement with Superintendent Matt Gross on June 16, 2025.

The contract, as presented, includes no salary increase for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 contract years; salary for 2027–28 will be negotiated during the 2027–28 cycle, the board was told. The tentative agreement also incorporates two memoranda of understanding — earned safe and sick time and HSA contribution amounts — into the contract and adds Juneteenth as a holiday.

A board member sought to record \"disappointment\" that a recent positive evaluation of the superintendent had not resulted in a salary adjustment. \"We did an evaluation of the superintendent, and it was a very, very positive evaluation, and salary is not reflecting that,\" the member said during the discussion.

Other board members expressed gratitude for Gross’s work and said the board appreciated his leadership during a period of tight finances. The motion to approve the superintendent's tentative agreement carried on a voice vote.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ISD 318 School Board Meeting-6/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Grand Rapids Public School District board approved a tentative multi‑year contract for Superintendent Matt Gross on June 16, 2025, keeping salary flat for the next two contract years and deferring 2027–28 negotiations.","taxTitle","GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",57176,"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},6508348,"Grand Rapids Public Schools approves FY26 budget despite projected OPEB shortfall",2366,2039000,4405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3&start=2039&end=4405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","/articles/6508348/Minnesota/Grand-Rapids-Public-Schools-approves-FY26-budget-despite-projected-OPEB-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508348-e7e80bb85579e9118d0a1cf981be4b1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744396&Signature=UmGZoMcI223r-M-Ic30gjea-hDUmB2QtajE4a~7Wm8nluqlC4xDXHxdYvd2dWDIpopWXASwpT19BtM7Ijl-ARJF4KgJiMZsq~IBSKHuDffY3b4ZF4TH~sepxI2yBgeUfqwOjmMsIWYWHlKm5vRwgcnsn5SuuB5FkvUx-YRBxYZenbIq4ddhaIP4uCm5wSIne0S4MGUWDnh-3Izzwtens9dNWA-Qy7ZLhZR6dkp0RaZhOXbXls39iyGMiHsEmVT2HkoSdiHEMTxCMYuUO9s0ZcJrGX~Hu~tp1n7an5SyCfsoyhZZGEBVBPp3VyVCArQjZA2hpyP3x0MOb0Gbb9~epLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids Public School District Board of Education approved the district’s FY26 original budget on June 16, 2025, with board members saying the shortfall is driven mainly by retiree benefit obligations and will be addressed through a levy next year.

Kara, the district business officer, told the board the current FY26 plan shows about a $2.6 million operating loss as presented: she said the district has $3.8 million recorded as retiree benefit expenses in FY26 that are being partially offset by an estimated $1.2 million operating surplus. \"If not for this fund balance, we wouldn't be able to cover this next year's retiree benefits,\" Kara said during the presentation.

The budget presentation also noted the district's unassigned fund balance measured by the Minnesota Department of Education was 13.57% at the end of the previous year; Kara said that is below the state average (23.9%) but in compliance with the district’s fund balance policy. She warned that a drop below negative 2.5% would trigger statutory operating debt (SOD) review by the state.

Board members pressed staff on enrollment assumptions and timing. The district is budgeting 3,742 average daily memberships (with 42 online enrollments included in that figure), and Kara said historical enrollment over 20 years averages about 3,858. She and Superintendent Gross said enrollment is monitored weekly during the summer.

On retiree benefits (OPEB), board members asked about potential mitigation. Superintendent Gross described a process underway to compare Medicare‑subsidized supplement options against the plans retirees currently hold and to ask HealthPartners to match proposed alternatives. \"We're sort of in the process of getting some feedback on how the options that we have considered ... compare to the plan that our retirees are on now,\" Gross said. He said timelines are tied in part to Medicare enrollment windows later in the year.

Kara said the district expects monthly financial reporting to the board and will present revised budget work as needed. She also reiterated that some legislative changes finalized late in the session were not fully reflected in the packet figures; staff had prepared a revised budget to incorporate those items where appropriate.

Board Chair Julie called for the motion to adopt the FY26 budget. After a second and brief discussion, the board voted to approve the FY26 original budget.

The board approved a range of other routine items during the same meeting, including personnel and program agreements (see \"Votes at a glance\" article in this package). Kara said staff will continue to produce monthly financial reports and a revised budget if legislative or enrollment changes require adjustments.

The district will continue to pursue OPEB mitigation analyses and expects to levy in the following year to cover the retiree benefit obligation, per the presentation and board discussion.

","The Grand Rapids Public School District Board approved the FY26 original budget on June 16, 2025, while noting a projected operating shortfall driven primarily by retiree (OPEB) benefit obligations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_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},6508331,"Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids Public Schools board actions, June 16, 2025",2651,1754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3&start=1754&end=4405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","/articles/6508331/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Grand-Rapids-Public-Schools-board-actions-June-16-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508331-bdf59ef102ba0f9e3493d56654c09c15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744396&Signature=KVR16Yu9i21x-pqWci-8FFKJytOEgMhzyAXO-A1JzdFrC6yi2IWXF8NiNo~EhvcVusaL7k6mI8DFApDguFEtUsMDewyuhWNUlII91gN2UX9AyA3lO43mkUPVrENBwfI4t7bXx5U0fWXl~JEVs7fsMClq-9Cg21yQcMCgGp2KqDyLdHULgS606bK9S3DUMA9TG2cRui8ExO2CQ8YplCrbM2KFJWgCsjz4eRdSr4ejxYuN~eXYljXlb565pMVoglBIJK3QXbXNjax5Nmw7Bmr~LfMMc-xPKxUBKseXNCJ3FJ0ltcHvVApmOV6iczWlFVh2tQ4hx8SWr4eJR3acsmzcog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its June 16, 2025, meeting the Grand Rapids Public School District Board of Education recorded the following formal actions (motions and voice votes recorded in meeting audio/transcript). Where the mover/second was not named in the transcript, the field is listed as \"not specified.\" Vote tallies were not recorded on the public audio beyond a roll‑call/voice \"Aye\" for approval in each case.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — Approved (motion: moved; second: not specified)
- Approve minutes of the June 2, 2025 regular meeting — Approved (mover: David; second: Dave)
- Approve May 2025 claims — Approved (mover: Dave; second: Melissa)
- Approve consent agenda (routine staff items) — Approved (mover: Melissa; second: David)
- Approve superintendent tentative agreement (25–26 and 27–28 contract years) — Approved (mover: not specified; second: not specified). Key contract terms: no salary increase for 25–26 and 26–27; 27–28 salary to be negotiated; two MOUs (earned safe & sick time and HSA amounts) folded into contract; Juneteenth added as holiday.
- Approve FY26 original budget — Approved (mover: not specified; second: not specified). Staff noted a projected operating shortfall tied to retiree benefit payments; board directed monthly reporting.
- Approve board member right to employment notification (statute referenced in packet) — Approved (mover: not specified; second: David). The packet referenced statute \"123B0.195\" as the provision allowing board employment up to a stated dollar limit.
- Approve 2025–26 Minnesota School Board Association membership — Approved (mover: David; second: Dave)
- Approve Early Edge (early childhood) services agreement — Approved (mover: Melissa; second: David)
- Approve PACE programming agreement (transition/work skills program hosted in middle school) — Approved (mover: David; second: David)
- Approve low incidence services agreement (regional special education services) — Approved (mover: David; second: Melissa)
- Approve career pathways IASK agreement (work‑based learning/certificates) — Approved (mover: David; second: Dave)
- Approve student support cooperative agreement (flow‑through funding for nursing/social work positions) — Approved (mover: Melissa; second: David)
- Approve technology services agreement (sale of district technology staff time to IASK) — Approved (mover: Dave; second: Melissa)
- Approve sale of deaf & hard of hearing services, autism services, and physical impairment services to IASK (three agreements) — Approved (mover: David; second: Dave)
- Approve contract renewal with North Holmes for school‑based mental health services (through June 2028) — Approved (mover: Dave; second: Melissa)

Several personnel hires, purchases (buses, curriculum), and capital items were also listed on the consent agenda; those passed as part of the consent vote.

","The board approved routine minutes and claims, adopted the FY26 budget, approved the superintendent's tentative contract, and authorized a series of service and partnership agreements. Vote tallies were recorded as voice votes in the public meeting; motions and seconds are listed where stated in the record.",{"_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},6508335,"Board discusses new online program; staff budgeted 42 slots and report early enrollment of 10",553,2468000,3021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3&start=2468&end=3021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3/thumbnail_2468000.jpg","/articles/6508335/Minnesota/Board-discusses-new-online-program-staff-budgeted-42-slots-and-report-early-enrollment-of-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508335-e26c48d9b7ccac20759f8dd30a06bb12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744396&Signature=SdK2hvmEUng~cTirSa2MTrpYGHH9e7F6hKB~hdw3omuCipZ1O9y0KjvDrQI-Tqb6uatp-Tl2m9RSaUga3CKuhhjjlS525FjnJtkwEF2BeTdLti5Qo2yI~m1dvQBc4pNtLnng~3I7jRdxU7WzV7UzDuyOKP9maLBRRs8n94P0Z7emWSdWxMq55OTSWNnTDjAFz3Fz3mwpP8BdNjhaLUsCPMRA2PGM934vb8augsD6t-20O1YJg2SGJBq7cPM-1CpjUSEwwYcdBEGePDilNuZ7SSdeYmAnH-5P2TC1TX-k~fbI~9LqKDnDAoL~4wCWeaXloGtacoRDxPI1oJUdvMNGgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids Public School District board spent part of its June 16 meeting discussing the district’s newly launched online option, which is budgeted at 42 students for FY26.

Business staff said the district has already received 10 online enrollments as of mid‑June and that weekly enrollment tracking will continue through July and August. Kara said she and Superintendent Gross receive enrollment reports and can monitor increases as families finalize fall plans: \"We monitor this very closely. Weekly, we're — Matt and I are getting reports as to our enrollment,\" she said.

Board members debated how aggressive the district should be about marketing the online option. One member said the district has not undertaken broad public marketing and has focused instead on direct outreach to district students already enrolled elsewhere, though staff said they could pursue additional open houses or outreach later in the summer.

The board also discussed operational questions the district will resolve during the first year: transfers in and out shortly after the start of school, the supervisory burden on principals assigned to oversee online learners, and likely timing for when families finalize choices. Superintendent Gross said the district intends to \"ease into it\" during the first year and to evaluate how much administrative time principals must spend managing the program.

Board members expressed a shared emphasis on quality: they said the district should avoid growing the online program purely as a budget fix and should ensure students receive the educational experience expected from Grand Rapids schools. The board asked staff to return with operational specifics as enrollment and program experience accumulate.

","Board members discussed the district’s new online program (budgeted at 42 students) and early summer enrollments. Staff said ten students were enrolled so far and that recruitment, timing and operational questions remain; principals and program partners will refine procedures during the first year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6508339,"Bigfork site busy for summer; district Solar project at early planning and soil sampling stage",534,0,534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3&start=0&end=534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702891-ab42ca7d404e9b9c8c9471444faab8d3/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6508339/Minnesota/Bigfork-site-busy-for-summer-district-Solar-project-at-early-planning-and-soil-sampling-stage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508339-1ed1eb00bb779f3d82a25ac21232e4b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744396&Signature=fpOssBMOGNt8uYiKl-BnYoNBcb6xeNTDW1JFVcNHBinLOdLV7dLiFYvtywS7fxym033PvWzn1rprLF3qa1BiVYaMf1QefovgKj1vsgxt5zUHmT~78Tus3fHkWL9FjcFtns0yQtIjttYjrvNIeQ1vcRacjahlHjEDbxndkxCvQBkMotMRLabPvZKvEBlmAPUqo0paVHaTtNPCO7tRlT9eNx-EwAdLHT~ZM6DZ8cwIl5za~4Ppj81YbFkPbNUH5REBpyTNsVG5u6IrcPs90rB-ofKiYm2dZEZY-QXZ8rogPPUerT7rylOZw8HGPx8whcAblKm3sPA17-fZvwNSvF~RuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members heard a summer operations update and an overview of a proposed solar array near the Edge Center in the Bigfork area during the district’s June 16 meeting.

Ken (board report presenter) said the district runs multiple summer programs at school sites: an elementary Summer Learning Academy in the mornings, 4‑H club in the afternoons, early childhood special education services, high school credit recovery, and athletic camps. He also noted maintenance and contractor work at district buildings and said the district is doing planning and preparation during the summer to reduce disruptions during the regular school year.

When asked about the solar project, Ken said the district began receiving information last summer and engaged with companies that develop school solar installations. He said the Bigfork site adjacent to the Edge Center is one of the few district locations that appears suitable because of available green space and roof limitations at other sites. \"Any power not being used is sold back onto the grid, so it becomes a revenue offsetter,\" Ken said, and he added vendors highlighted curricular uses: \"There'd be some instructional value to having it here. There's a website. They can get on it. They can see the power being generated. They can see how much is being used. They can see how much is being sold back onto the grid.\"

A board member asked about the contractual requirement for a curricular element tied to the project; Ken confirmed that curricular components are part of the agreement. Kara and Superintendent Gross were identified as likely to have additional details about funding and timeline. Ken said soil samples were taken recently and vendors had visited the site to confirm feasibility.

Another board member expressed earlier skepticism about the district pursuing solar, noting concerns about reliability and that solar works only when the sun is shining. \"One of the things that did help me with this and make me feel differently about it is a curriculum,\" the member said, adding that students should learn about both strengths and shortfalls of energy options.

No final decision was made at the meeting about construction or financing; staff said timing and funding availability had been uncertain earlier in the process. Board members asked staff to continue to monitor timelines and to capitalize on instructional opportunities during site preparation and construction.

","District leaders reported a range of summer learning and activity programs at Bigfork and other sites, and board members discussed a proposed solar array near the Edge Center in Bigfork. Staff said soil sampling has been done and that the project would include curricular components when operational.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves superintendent’s multi‑year contract with no salary increase for next terms

Grand Rapids Public Schools approves FY26 budget despite projected OPEB shortfall

Votes at a glance: Grand Rapids Public Schools board actions, June 16, 2025

Board discusses new online program; staff budgeted 42 slots and report early enrollment of 10

Bigfork site busy for summer; district Solar project at early planning and soil sampling stage