[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6458461,"mediaKeyId","5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b","parentId",5813378,"title","Saint Francis parents, teachers and aides press board for higher pay and better support for educational assistants","audioSeconds",1826,"startMs",1511000,"endMs",3337000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b&start=1511&end=3337","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458461/Minnesota/Saint-Francis-parents-teachers-and-aides-press-board-for-higher-pay-and-better-support-for-educational-assistants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458461-eeb00fcca2dbea7ac7987c0d5d224a70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770251880&Signature=aep79JNA1l5vgaCMiDAu2j8EyS6o4Bm7JFOhj3pxbnYH8hKj91XCnSyIn1P-nP~VuFE3LR405eXWTQvYbTqa4SZpK8tJigvCC05h2wQOigxYZ7G3im3Z~EYLqWnI~0ArM7rnzqMsZ7lE1sUZGr6bypCR3xfdVjpiuANEA1YXV40khAgFOobyHC-lkMJUwy3VOQ99Eg-8Fv9wdmuHwPug7SzZs02WERbpy2RN8meTJ6ZMuVXcu9Y-dK0GNoHRDBQVtTfIAxbC8Ze4vAOCabMn-6ECqrPRdHOXQq5acKlIbsaYmckQdTNJOhX2XtoamyG9FRZ5blwPLuk5tipU9HqZGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Francis Area Schools","date","2025-09-23T01:57:17Z","article","At the Sept. 22 Saint Francis Area Schools board meeting, a series of public commenters urged the board to increase pay and support for educational assistants, saying low wages are driving turnover and threatening services for students with disabilities.

Speakers described work that includes behavior management, toileting and transfers, supervision at recess and lunches, one‑to‑one academic support and acting as first responders during health incidents. “The EAs in our district are worth more than gold,” said Miranda Jensen, a special‑education teacher, who described aides being kicked, bitten, spit on and forced to make split‑second safety decisions. “We are paying them less than you can make working at a fast‑food restaurant.”

The appeals came during the public comment portion of the meeting and did not prompt a board motion. Multiple speakers asked the board to revisit recent wage offers and negotiations. “It is time for salaries to reflect it,” said Christie Melo, a 25‑year teacher and parent. Tanya Helena, who identified herself as an educational assistant, said she struggles to live on her EA salary and asked the board to “look at us like we are real professionals.”

Parents and family members described the consequences for students if aides leave. “My granddaughter is normal and excelling because of these EAs,” said Elizabeth Geist, a grandparent, who warned that higher pay elsewhere would increase turnover in Saint Francis. A parent who identified herself as Ashley said neighboring districts start EAs at higher hourly rates, and argued that Saint Francis risks losing aides to better‑paying districts.

Several teachers testified that EAs enable inclusion and keep classrooms functioning. “Educational assistants are the backbone of inclusive education,” said Ashley Christiansen, a teacher with nine years in the district. She described aides being frequently reassigned to cover other rooms, disrupting continuity of care and Individualized Education Program (IEP) supports.

Speakers also asked the board to spend time in classrooms: “We’d like you to put on your tennis shoes and come for the days in our shoes,” one commenter said, urging board members to observe full workdays rather than short visits.

District staff and the board did not take immediate action on the requests during the meeting. Several board members acknowledged hearing the concerns and noted negotiations and compensation matters are ongoing. The board’s public materials list labor negotiations updates on the district website; speakers suggested the board use that and other channels to share clearer timelines and proposals.

Ending: The public comment period included 17 speakers on multiple topics. The EA appeals dominated the evening’s testimony but did not result in a formal board decision; the board will consider compensation and bargaining matters in future sessions and through ongoing negotiations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_09_22 SFAS School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the Sept. 22 Saint Francis Area Schools board meeting, a series of public commenters urged the board to increase pay and support for educational assistants, saying low wages are driving turnover and threatening services for students with disabilities.","taxTitle","St. Francis Area Schools, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",56938,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458446,"Votes at a glance: Saint Francis board certifies maximum preliminary levy and approves several routine measures",1966,5330000,7296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b&start=5330&end=7296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b/thumbnail_5330000.jpg","/articles/6458446/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Saint-Francis-board-certifies-maximum-preliminary-levy-and-approves-several-routine-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458446-526e59ae595795f9b2e4970b3f74fc14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770251880&Signature=fj9uvBjI6txdVKgWEGGnMtXaVc4h7dRYb6RzZIl3l6Tm1Rf7rga3lPyU4JCp2KuVxf7LpEcVfmltlCYTS8gIcMecBi4ssxhWZEWYyfSN00ecHqzaUt2VBK-giiuVuOFZO4fp-AC4gNT3cs1YYlKk0QTApIk5J0mrK5kSHAEzdGVXMazBoMwW6aCG7Kdvk5DD8jsBprXcMkLUEHc2QrC5q-yjMbG-dO83QcJX7KuRbK3toq614IArBytRox5u5WXG5UTdbavez7BWkRMqplz4W9kkZKK7RCv5GD0xAPgOCUyuTF8E8VCo3GKiv1II0Cw9y8SSYuNQLgO0icEyKH1eqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Francis Area Schools board took several formal actions on Sept. 22. The most significant was certification of the district’s preliminary levy at the maximum allowable amount to support long‑term facility bonds that include indoor‑air‑quality improvements and a parking‑lot/abatement project. The board also approved routine and procedural items.

Key votes and outcomes

- Certification of maximum preliminary levy (2025 levy for 2026 taxes / budget year 2027): The board voted to certify the district’s maximum preliminary levy authority (presented as approximately $16.45 million in staff materials). Staff said the levy package includes debt service for previously approved facility and abatement bonds; presenters estimated the district share of that package would raise school taxes by about $244 annually for a median home value example ($385,000). The motion passed by voice vote; the board will set a final levy at a December truth‑in‑taxation hearing.

- Consent agenda: The board approved a six‑item consent agenda by roll call. No items were removed for separate consideration.

- MSBA delegate resolutions: The board approved two suggested resolutions to the Minnesota School Boards Association delegate assembly regarding election procedures and staffing protections (submitted for delegate consideration at MSBA). The motion passed.

- Charge for a community engagement task force: The board approved establishing a citizen‑based task force to advise on long‑term facility planning, operating pressures and school funding; the district will engage an external facilitator (SiteLogic) at no cost for community engagement support. Motion passed.

- Anoka County election judge appointment: The board approved the appointment of local election judges as required for the upcoming special election/absentee‑voting period; motion passed by voice vote.

Votes and record: Most votes were handled by voice and recorded as “motion prevails.” No formal roll‑call tallies with individual yes/no names were recorded for many items in the transcript; where a roll call occurred it was recorded as an approval.

Next steps: The levy will be revisited in December for final certification at the truth‑in‑taxation hearing. The community engagement task force will begin work with a to‑be‑determined schedule and present recommendations to the board in a future meeting.

","At its Sept. 22 meeting the Saint Francis Area Schools board certified a maximum preliminary levy related to facility bonds and approved routine items including consent agenda, MSBA delegate resolutions, a community engagement task force charge, and county election judge appointments.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458451,"District media specialist flags steep drop in high‑school circulation; officials propose phased collection refresh and staffing changes",994,3648000,4642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b&start=3648&end=4642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b/thumbnail_3648000.jpg","/articles/6458451/Minnesota/District-media-specialist-flags-steep-drop-in-highschool-circulation-officials-propose-phased-collection-refresh-and-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458451-8206a7fbcc1cff6a181e1985f71720fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770251880&Signature=ed5i7pn9FVJdtRQEWYQymmTsQKcmq3HlsCDiNdtUQGJIGJnS3sI-ii9tO54DOgiXeBEgp5rpwb7cgwjuui5pT-gxVBuUPoTrzsV0816j5DUWQjzXxiOuuuxbvG9F892ZQ3FcQFzO9cP5TFQkTOphgQoDS0CIIL0KanXBXva4j0K1ccO11kPQWoSmbhhLLA9LaRkZXfjKEmxr7MFvzFwsLfdZheZOys2VL9uMBp2VnH417KIBpafyGIjW3hlLDw76ezUriceNYiqYSMlOkvuaHgH1R25oUfhy1X6UWP5VemE2ALv5sAjOMH3hbcE8VKUb2we5xiGiIEnVhRXZFIEPlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Claudia Verbil, the district’s library/media specialist, told the Saint Francis Area Schools board on Sept. 22 that district library collections are aging and that student circulation — particularly at the high school — has fallen sharply over the past decade.

Verbil said the district’s collections total about 78,000 volumes and that average publication dates in some subject areas are decades old. At the high school she reported a decline from roughly 13,000 checkouts a decade ago to about 1,300 last year — a nearly 90% decrease in physical circulation.

“To present books that have countries that don't exist anymore to our students does not serve our curriculum needs,” Verbil told the board, noting the middle‑school average book age and specific gaps in maps and geography materials.

Verbil recommended an inventory and a phased collection refresh, beginning with a single library this year and expanding as funding allows. She said the district has discussed using Follett Destiny (the library‑management vendor) and a collections expert to remove outdated items and build a multi‑year replenishment list.

She also suggested increasing media staffing at the high school so one staff member (currently a part‑time position shared with career counseling) would not be responsible for both career counseling duties and rebuilding the collection.

Board members asked whether decreased circulation reflected fewer students reading or the absence of current titles. Verbil said other schools in the district that have an active media specialist and new materials saw increases in circulation; Cedar Creek Elementary, she said, recorded a 46% increase, which she attributed to targeted programming and newer books.

Superintendent Susan Anderson also presented district academic results during the same report block, saying recent MCA (state assessment) results showed increases in math and reading proficiency and noting targeted plans to keep growth moving forward, including literacy and math coaching and curriculum review. Anderson highlighted that the district had “the highest proficiency in the past four years in both math and reading” and listed grades showing gains.

Ending: The board received the report and asked staff to return with follow‑up details. Verbil said the immediate next steps are a physical inventory and a prioritized replenishment plan tied to available funding; staffing changes would be considered as part of future budgeting.

","The district’s media specialist reported a sharp decline in library checkouts at the high school and older average publication dates across the district’s collections; administrators proposed an inventory, use of a vendor collection service and adding media‑staff capacity at the high school.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458456,"Parents report bus‑stop and notification problems; district says app may not work when substitute drivers cover routes",2068,1375000,3443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b&start=1375&end=3443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813378-1d4e129ccba33c40f51ab9d1fca9b05b/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/6458456/Minnesota/Parents-report-busstop-and-notification-problems-district-says-app-may-not-work-when-substitute-drivers-cover-routes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458456-60b549fc3cfbad5edbd927b457f291fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770251880&Signature=kkffvzpdaNVfou1WJvet9x0WROHkURi8Is4ouHY0LWpLxfY2agXfYqRQJBFkWhnpt3H2LDbGvJmqgT-cn9Uq29cdNYsrllVyuDWiZj--v1YMPaBqEMas4gYAKkvkiddb7UWCAQ6dMk3em9N-Tkd6WWj609ruUUQBWUMUPvr7qr4u831GKg9RKoJNCPutbla67m1WCAFwesm~jqiRor1FCI4zlSYriAsv~PRHg0HuVEVCnjjVBSIbWdww6J1Vb6GFD3N36iNrSVpBK9PHW3yo5boIwdc4QvCSO9ULZn9yaAxNuCUk2Phg9Jd2WnvefnhJc0auZ5ifXmHYIrARoS4M5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Saint Francis parent told the school board on Sept. 22 that her child’s bus stop was moved without clear notification, and that she had raised safety concerns after video evidence showed a driver not using signals and failing to stop properly.

“I have asked the multiple people I have spoken to…to please correct me if I’m wrong at any time, but that has yet to happen,” the parent, Hailey, said during the public‑comment period. She described repeated incidents in which safety signals were not used and said her child had to “cross the road behind the bus.” She also said a stop was moved two blocks on busy roads without adequate notice and that phone calls to transportation staff were met with “attitude.”

Retired commercial‑vehicle driver Michael Ross, who later said he trained school‑bus drivers, told the board that bus driving is difficult and that training usually takes “four to eight weeks.” He said he had stepped down from a bus driving job because of safety concerns and urged support for strong driver training.

A retired RN who identified herself as a bus driver explained that many special‑education bus routes include students with seizures and wheelchair needs, and that educational assistants are present on sped buses to manage medical and behavioral needs. “Most I would say most of the EAs or most of the buses, MET buses, have at least 1 child that has a seizure activity or diagnosis,” she said.

Superintendent Susan Anderson acknowledged parents’ concerns and said the district is addressing specific complaints raised directly to staff. Anderson also said the district’s parent app, which parents use to locate buses, can have limitations: “I don't think it can give that information when there's a sub driver,” she said, explaining the app may not track substitute drivers on a route.

Transportation staff, drivers and board members who spoke during the meeting emphasized the complexity of routing and the difficulty of running transportation at the start of the school year, noting new kindergarten enrollments and last‑minute changes that force route adjustments.

Ending: Board members said they will continue to work with transportation staff to address individual safety complaints and to investigate app behavior when substitute drivers cover runs. No formal action on policy or staffing changes was taken at the meeting.

","A parent described repeated safety and notification problems on a district bus route; drivers and retired transit workers said bus routes include students with medical needs and that drivers face tough conditions. District leaders noted the bus‑tracking app may not provide accurate information when substitute drivers are used.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Saint Francis parents, teachers and aides press board for higher pay and better support for educational assistants

Votes at a glance: Saint Francis board certifies maximum preliminary levy and approves several routine measures

District media specialist flags steep drop in high‑school circulation; officials propose phased collection refresh and staffing changes

Parents report bus‑stop and notification problems; district says app may not work when substitute drivers cover routes