[{"_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",6499575,"mediaKeyId","5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359","parentId",5826165,"title","Votes at a glance: Robbinsdale Area Schools board actions, Sept. 23, 2025","audioSeconds",10239,"startMs",1029000,"endMs",11268000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359&start=1029&end=11268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359/thumbnail_1029000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6499575/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Robbinsdale-Area-Schools-board-actions-Sept-23-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499575-3140b92f23074d800a8d4f68cc4c0e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093707&Signature=O9LkVoRREzhNvlj1EI0Tr3Z6QAhCoR-AOZ7bWAQao0tL3C1zNwmIogvqDGVUg7B5zfkngJi0vkdcNWYVZttRRmwkHTuOO3Min0jZHlMnICpyJiikPO~isDyv28bmIWGQnsfe4~qoURmyVZZbwk1bgYCbYrRW5bg9QSjaY5i5sD9q4O069bgMu0l-iitJy42N2aaOgevz-NNtt5S2gIP5A5aesvNdtd9kxAIsITwKtK7gY-WB2LWcb90nips1QUy4XWfk9gHmhdJvnT-hFup-4GNGnS3drLNLQjDPHrUORIFJSIrEYSRYGUhCWqM2WrpjguCt9aHg149ol2DhRtuXJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Robbinsdale Public School District","date","2025-09-24T17:20:07.207Z","article","Here are the formal actions taken by the Robbinsdale Area Schools board on Sept. 23, 2025. This summary lists motions, movers/seconds when recorded, vote results and follow‑up notes. It is a factual tally of actions recorded in the meeting.

1) Approval of agenda
- Motion: Approve the meeting agenda.
- Mover: Director Renee Bowman
- Second: Director Aviva Hillenbrand
- Vote: Voice vote, passed.
- Notes: Routine approval to open the meeting.

2) Consent agenda accepted (administrative, financial and personnel reports)
- Motion: Accept the consent agenda.
- Mover: Director Renee Bowman
- Second: Director Kenneth Wuto
- Vote: Roll call — Bassett yes; Bowman yes; Chair Greta Evans Becker yes; Hillenbrand yes; Holmes no; Long no; Wuto yes. Tally: 5 yes, 2 no. Motion carried.
- Notes: Financial items required a roll call vote.

3) Approval of superintendent’s goals and timeline for 2025–26
- Motion: Accept the superintendent’s goals and timeline for 2025–26 school year.
- Mover: Chair Greta Evans Becker
- Second: (second recorded but not clearly identified in transcript)
- Vote: Voice vote, passed.
- Notes: Some board members requested additional opportunities for board input on process and mid‑year language changes.

4) Dates for additional board study sessions (and amendment to invite Finance Advisory Committee)
- Motion: Approve additional study session dates.
- Mover: (moved and seconded during meeting)
- Amendment: Move to notify and invite current Finance Advisory Committee members to attend the study sessions (observers, not required to present). Mover: Director Kim Holmes; Second: recorded (unnamed). Amendment passed by voice vote. Main motion with amendment passed by voice vote.
- Notes: One director raised scheduling conflicts for an Oct. 13 date; administration said topics and agendas will be provided later.

5) Preliminary levy certification for taxes payable 2026 (maximum levy)
- Motion: Certify the preliminary tax levy at the maximum amount to allow administrative flexibility.
- Mover: Director Renee Bowman
- Second: Director Helen Bassett
- Vote: Roll call — Bassett yes; Bowman yes; Chair Evans Becker yes; Hillenbrand yes; Holmes yes; Long no; Wuto yes. Tally: 6 yes, 1 no. Motion carried.
- Notes: Board will hold Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1 and final certification Dec. 15, 2025.

6) Resolution accepting donations ($30,000)
- Motion: Accept donations and waive the reading of the resolution.
- Mover: Director Helen Bassett
- Second: Director Aviva Hillenbrand
- Vote: Roll call — unanimous yes. Motion carried.
- Notes: Total value noted in meeting: $30,000.

7) Resolution to rescind Ad Hoc Safety & Security Committee
- Motion: Rescind/disband the ad hoc safety and security committee and thank members for service.
- Mover: Chair Greta Evans Becker
- Second: Director Kenneth Wuto
- Vote: Roll call — Bassett no; Bowman yes; Chair Evans Becker yes; Hillenbrand yes; Holmes no; Long no; Wuto yes. Tally: 4 yes, 3 no. Motion carried.
- Notes: Contested; opponents asked administration for a crosswalk showing how committee recommendations have been absorbed and for continuing oversight.

8) Resolution to rescind Ad Hoc Transportation & Capital Infrastructure Committee
- Motion: Disband the ad hoc transportation and capital infrastructure committee and thank members for their service.
- Mover: (moved in meeting; mover recorded as Chair or board member)
- Second: Director Kenneth Wuto (record shows a second)
- Vote: Roll call — Bassett yes; Bowman yes; Chair Evans Becker yes; Hillenbrand yes; Holmes yes; Long no; Wuto yes. Tally: 6 yes, 1 no. Motion carried.
- Notes: Board stated future facility work will be addressed by the full board and administration.

9) Policies — second read for legislative compliance (multiple policies)
- Motion: Approve second reading of several policies updated for legislative compliance.
- Mover: Director Renee Bowman
- Second: Director Aviva Hillenbrand
- Vote: Voice vote, motion carries.
- Notes: No public amendments; committee recommended moving forward.

10) Motion directing administration to begin action on draft timelines for SOD planning and Reimagine 2030
- Motion: Direct administration to begin action on draft timelines outlined for both statutory operating debt planning and Reimagine 2030.
- Mover: Director Caroline Long
- Second: (second recorded; not explicitly identified in transcript)
- Vote: Voice vote, passed.
- Notes: Board requested regular return reports; administration outlined a draft five‑phase plan through 2030 with key decision windows in November–December 2025 and an SOD plan finalization by Jan. 20, 2026 (board meeting) to meet MDE Jan. 31 deadline.

11) Adjournment
- Motion: Adjourn the meeting.
- Mover/Second: Motion moved and seconded on the floor.
- Vote: Voice vote, passed.

Ending: The board’s formal actions include a mix of routine governance and several high‑impact decisions (preliminary levy certification and direction to begin SOD/reimagine planning). Several items (levy finalization, any school closure proposals, and bond planning) will require additional public hearings and future board votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Robbinsdale Area Schools Board Business Meeting and Study Session - September 23, 6 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and votes recorded by the Robbinsdale Area Schools board on Sept. 23, 2025, including levy certification, committee rescissions, and direction to begin statutory operating debt and Reimagine 2030 planning.","taxTitle","Robbinsdale Public School District, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",16725,"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},6499580,"Board votes 4–3 to disband Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee after heated debate",497,3199000,3696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359&start=3199&end=3696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359/thumbnail_3199000.jpg","/articles/6499580/Minnesota/Board-votes-43-to-disband-Ad-Hoc-Safety-and-Security-Committee-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499580-b50b71a04d9608717fd7b3771339537d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093707&Signature=RTTTOnK1oe-Phc1TNRba-~p6pwRvg304WC5OoFvK7reoFQ~mgR31KoWA0a364Nafy2fBRnHs3zwm35tzrccbU~ksglGyhzPrjeb~HtJut8-Ji1ljRWN0ncw9vUZ4dbB~IozQVTL4SrVm~7TR9LQGSsd0BdP1oUVsLm2mGR4VvJt-dEfzlFfZl5b5UvCYzvXkvOtOnTGiaucUzJEFm6PkJNk~GYzv9aIsc9~QGeEhP8CVnN06wmKg0s3p~MTkqPmNHgP53YjUJq8Nzs4hrWBGuG8knN4aqVi4cm1n19tx91rcfqMDWtNN9oZQVelZnlLpnY6LB9kdjyWyfl8YCl9Xsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Robbinsdale Area Schools board voted on Sept. 23 to dissolve its Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee, overriding pleas from some directors and community members who argued the committee should remain and be made permanent.

The resolution cited the district’s existing safety and security infrastructure — a director of safety and security, a director of risk management, district and building emergency teams, student safety squads and other staff and committees — and recommended thanking the ad hoc committee for its service and disbanding it.

Director Kim Holmes announced she would vote against dissolution and urged the board to consider making the committee permanent. Holmes said the ad hoc group had identified gaps in policy and practice, brought in school‑safety programming such as Sandy Hook Promise, elevated student and staff concerns about vaping and bathroom safety, and worked on improvements such as cameras and two‑way radios.

\"I will be voting no on dissolving this critical committee,\" Holmes said during public debate, outlining the committee’s work on policy 05/2529 (staff notification of violent behavior), notification thresholds for the board, and student‑led safety work.

Board discussion included differing views on whether the committee’s prior work had been successfully transitioned into standing teams. Director Helen Bassett urged a “crosswalk” between the committee’s work and existing district systems before final closure; Director Renee Bowman said the committee’s role had been fulfilled and that standing staff and reports now provide the oversight the board needs.

Roll‑call vote: Director Bassett voted no; Director Bowman yes; Chair Greta Evans Becker yes; Director Aviva Hillenbrand yes; Director Holmes no; Director Caroline Long no; Director Kenneth Wuto yes. The motion passed 4–3.

What happens next: The resolution directs staff to disband the ad hoc committee and thanked members for their service. Directors who opposed dissolution said they would welcome a future structure that includes quarterly monitoring or a clearer handoff so the board can ensure policy gaps identified by the committee remain addressed.

Ending: The board’s action dissolves the ad hoc committee but does not prevent future standing or ad hoc structures; several directors asked administration to outline how the committee’s outstanding work will be cross‑walked to staff teams and reported back to the board.","After several board members and community advocates urged keeping the committee, the Robbinsdale Area Schools board voted 4–3 to dissolve the Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee, saying many of its functions are now handled by district staff and standing teams.",{"_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},6499585,"School finance director recommends certifying maximum preliminary levy; board votes to approve at maximum",595,1811000,2406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359&start=1811&end=2406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359/thumbnail_1811000.jpg","/articles/6499585/Minnesota/School-finance-director-recommends-certifying-maximum-preliminary-levy-board-votes-to-approve-at-maximum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499585-6678def9d7684444abcb58e0dcbab213/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093707&Signature=k3ZLP4h1l-6hwfVlUZtZzHqQox1CBojMJr-t0Sjk47NAMjqejVt6MLUzFK2R9ll~V5EKbQFunQyGZzhCpN3LMuCYAjVwJTkXomiWNaG8jEKLLlGbIYJZe5P0OHCKzLcIEBpmXJSz-ruhn2z5p-715x6fGk-Ku5jxA67nTR56rmIR0~-45oIUqzda4K4J130YC6ZN2cRa6nUIhw9RH8o75n-AFOglf2aBsmjLSf4N8xxdRKncKqR21AMw5bEjE1bsQyedf2OA5ApXhbIydH-zliuyf4mFEhLAUVNj39BK77bsGAZRKqvNyDpOTLSp1hFfYGr496nlu3uBYAHZEv1LAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robbinsdale Area Schools’ finance staff recommended that the board certify the district’s preliminary property tax levy at the maximum permitted amount on Sept. 23, allowing staff flexibility while state assessments and county calculations finish updating.

The recommendation covered taxes payable in 2026, which will fund the 2026–27 school year; staff emphasized that certifying the maximum is an administrative step that preserves flexibility before final figures are set at later public meetings. Assistant or Executive Director of Finance (presenter identified in the meeting materials) explained that state updates often continue after the board’s September deadline and that certifying the maximum allows staff to accommodate minor adjustments before final certification in mid‑December.

Why it matters: The levy is the district’s first major revenue planning marker for next year’s budget. Certifying the maximum does not commit the board to a specific final dollar amount; the board will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1 and must finalize levy certification by Dec. 15, 2025.

Key figures and explanation: Finance staff walked the board through levy categories and changes from last year, noting enrollment-driven decreases in several categories and increases tied to inflationary formula adjustments for existing voter‑approved referenda. Staff cited a tentative total levy figure in the $77.5 million range presented on the slides (presentation showed a small swing of about $50,000 between an earlier run and the most recent update). The district’s renewed technology levy is projected to provide roughly $7 million annually beginning this school year, with about two‑thirds for technology and one‑third for safety and security projects.

State and timing constraints: Finance staff emphasized the compressed calendar. Preliminary levies must be submitted to the county by Sept. 30; estimated property statements with taxpayer impacts typically arrive to residents in mid‑November; the board will host a Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1 and is scheduled to finalize levy certification on Dec. 15.

Board action and vote: Director Bowman moved and Director Bassett seconded a motion to certify the preliminary levy at the maximum; the board approved the motion in a roll call vote, 6–1. Director Caroline Long cast the lone no vote. Directors Bassett, Bowman, Chair Greta Evans Becker, Aviva Hillenbrand, Kim Holmes and Kenneth Wuto voted yes.

What the vote does and does not do: Certifying the maximum gives administration room to adjust to final state and county calculations; the board can still set the specific levy amounts at the December certification meeting after the Truth in Taxation hearing.

Ending: Administration said it would return with updated levy figures and voter‑information materials in advance of the December hearing.","Facing shifting state numbers and a small net change from last year, district finance staff recommended certifying the preliminary levy at the maximum to allow flexibility; the board voted 6–1 to approve the maximum preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2026.",{"_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},6499590,"Vision 2030 advisory panel urges districtwide ‘arts and innovation’ focus, recommends reducing building footprint",6102,5100000,11202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359&start=5100&end=11202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826165-2d4e8e7a54744c7dd395001d7d04a359/thumbnail_5100000.jpg","/articles/6499590/Minnesota/Vision-2030-advisory-panel-urges-districtwide-arts-and-innovation-focus-recommends-reducing-building-footprint","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499590-dceacc387ca24143791fb01e2ebf4d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093707&Signature=PrYxR-VQa2KP8leT3l2ykazXqqDq1m2vm6Nqhloh~jaJXfPZK7Y-Ib6GfNHmxqq3-sPhSGzRB20f8~n3FDEf9LxCTY1y1UlOZd7T5gkRYYDmHARHzVXSWUc39zn46XVdyOENvdDhCdMSdx0C2Oem2x6cX8xpFtNd1t2TFszKWetkpfXG7q9WQXmSYaC8b3Sm8nMyS3k1-IO1JAUxVMz5FjSB9Au91OMQxPzar~Mgi40AISbg~EIsB3HlP16tSmEU~C3A2FVOWBAXN6hBMJjgMYyo2zdn8J-2W6MSgfp2ryLARcJDevHSetvlHaergVkFhlrqJJ3iPZXB8PK~6q0g2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community advisory group known as the Vision 2030 team presented a 108-page set of recommendations to the Robbinsdale Area Schools board on Sept. 23, urging a districtwide focus on “arts and innovation,” consolidation of excess school buildings to match long-term enrollment declines, and a bond to pay for major facility upgrades.

The recommendations, produced after eight months of meetings and input from roughly 17,000 stakeholders, call for programmatic changes (including keeping Spanish immersion as a standalone magnet while integrating arts-and-innovation programming broadly), creation of a single unified high school with smaller “academies” inside it, and renovation or replacement of aging buildings. The team also recommended that any closures be followed by detailed transition plans developed by staff.

Why it matters: The district is in statutory operating debt and faces long-term enrollment decline and multimillion-dollar deferred maintenance. The vision team framed its recommendations as a way to improve equity, modernize facilities and lower ongoing operating costs while expanding access to specialized programming across all schools rather than limiting it to standalone magnet sites.

The vision team’s report said Robbinsdale’s enrollment has declined about 16% since 2014–15 — roughly 2,000 students — and cited a facility assessment that placed 10‑year deferred maintenance needs at about $216.6 million, including roughly $76.3 million labeled as urgent. The presenters argued that operating more buildings than the district needs drives those costs and weakens educational equity and student experience.

\"I've never been a part of a process with more honest and difficult discussions,\" Superintendent Dr. Theresa Stallo told the board after the presentation, thanking the team and noting the advisory role the group held. Vision team member Willie Howard, one of three presenters, said, “I am a man who runs to the fire, not away from it,” describing his reason for volunteering on the team.

The presentation included a student voice: Kylander Nelson Sheppardia, a junior at Cooper High School and a member of the vision team, said the group repeatedly checked recommendations against what students would actually want and need. \"In a room full of adults worrying about taxes, I make sure to advocate for the needs of my fellow peers,\" Kylander said.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members praised the breadth of the report but asked for more time to study details and for follow-up work with administration. Several directors emphasized the need to translate big-picture recommendations into concrete operational steps (curriculum, staffing, timelines, tax impact, boundary changes and feasibility studies). Director Renee Bowman said the report “checked every box” she ran on in 2022; Director Aviva Hillenbrand and others asked for clarity on how large consolidated schools would preserve small-school supports (pathways, arts and athletics).

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bob McDowell presented a draft multi‑phase timeline the administration said would allow the board to finalize a statutory operating debt (SOD) plan by Jan. 20, 2026 (the board’s last meeting before the Jan. 31 SOD deadline). The administration’s draft phases run through 2030 and assume the board will decide by late November 2025 whether to pursue initial facility consolidations for the 2026–27 school year, with public hearings and required posting of any closure notices following that schedule.

The board voted to direct administration to begin work on draft timelines for both SOD planning and Reimagine/RDL 2030 implementation; the motion passed by voice vote. Board members and administration said further public engagement, financial modeling, and operational design (programming and staffing) will follow before any final decisions about closures or a bond.

What the report did not do: The vision team specifically said it did not select or schedule individual school closures; it recommended criteria and a path for staff to use in developing precise closure and transition plans. The team also did not produce a final bond proposal; it recommended the district plan for a voter‑approved bond to fund renovations needed to deliver the envisioned learning environments.

Ending: The board directed administration to continue drafting options and to return with follow-up material at future meetings; members asked that the full presentation materials and the written report be posted to the board packet for further study.\"","A 37-member advisory group recommended a districtwide arts-and-innovation identity, consolidation of school buildings to match declining enrollment, and a voter-supported bond to fund major facility upgrades. Board members asked for time to review the 108-page recommendations and directed administration to begin planning work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Robbinsdale Area Schools board actions, Sept. 23, 2025

Board votes 4–3 to disband Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee after heated debate

School finance director recommends certifying maximum preliminary levy; board votes to approve at maximum

Vision 2030 advisory panel urges districtwide ‘arts and innovation’ focus, recommends reducing building footprint