The Bemidji Public School District board unanimously approved several routine and financial items during its Oct. 20 meeting, including a $6,000 grant for the high school musical, applications to the Minnesota State High School League Foundation, adoption of policy updates and a resolution to pursue refunding school building bonds issued in 2015.

Donation and grant applications
The board accepted a $6,000 grant from the Region 2 Arts Council to support the Bemidji High School fall musical. The motion to accept the donation carried unanimously by voice vote.

The board voted to submit Form A (general reimbursement funds) and Form B (specific categories) to the Minnesota State High School League Foundation. The Form B request included $3,576 for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and $126 for a leadership conference at the Sanford Center. Both applications were approved by roll call.

Policy revisions
The board approved the second reading and adoption of revised policy SPR 700-60-1 (Protection and privacy of pupil records) to align the district's directory-information definition with state statute. The board also approved revisions or new policies related to federal grant guidance (SBR 300-90-2) and the policy development/adoption implementation policy (MSBA 208); each motion passed unanimously.

Bond refunding resolution
The board approved a resolution authorizing the district to pursue refunding of general obligation school building bonds sold in 2015 (original par $36,280,000) to achieve lower interest costs and reduce the levy to taxpayers. PMA Financial explained the plan and estimated roughly $888,000 in present-value savings over the remaining 10-year payment schedule (about $88,000 per year) under market conditions presented. The resolution authorized district officials (the superintendent or director of business services and one board officer) to execute documents if defined parameters were met: positive present-value savings, interest rates not to exceed 5 percent and a maximum par amount of $24,575,000; the sale window was constrained through Dec. 31 with a potential bond closing around April 1. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes (Long Volkner; Haugen; Aukas; Frenzel; Manichee; Wall).

Consent, agenda and adjournment
The board approved the agenda (including adding Representative Duran to the informational section) and accepted the consent agenda without opposition. The meeting adjourned unanimously.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded)
- Approval of agenda (addition of Representative Duran): outcome approved, vote: unanimous voice vote.
- Acceptance of consent agenda: outcome approved, vote: unanimous voice vote.
- Donation: $6,000 grant from Region 2 Arts Council to Bemidji High School fall musical; outcome approved, vote: unanimous voice vote.
- Resolution: general obligation school building refunding bonds (2015 bonds); outcome approved; roll-call yes votes: Long Volkner, Haugen, Aukas, Frenzel, Manichee, Wall; estimated PV savings $888,000 over 10 years; parameters: interest ≤5%, max par $24,575,000; authorization given to superintendent or director of business services and one board officer to execute documents within parameters.
- Form A application to Minnesota State High School League Foundation: outcome approved, roll-call yes votes recorded.
- Form B application (AEDs $3,576; leadership conference $126): outcome approved, roll-call yes votes recorded.
- Second reading and adoption: revised policy SPR 700-60-1 (Protection and privacy of pupil records): approved unanimous voice vote.
- First reading / adoption motions: revised policy SBR 300-90-2 (Uniform grant guidance) and new policy MSBA 208 (policy development/adoption): both approved unanimous voice votes.

The board asked administration to return with final documents for executed bond sale timing if market conditions permit; otherwise staff will bring updated timing back to the board.