Board approves multiple routine policies, bank designation and safety funding; rescinds Positive School Expectations policy

The Faribault Public School District board approved multiple routine items and several policy and operational decisions at its Feb. 18 meeting. Key formal outcomes recorded in the public minutes and transcript follow.

Votes and formal approvals

- Gifts and donations: The board adopted Resolution 25-23 to accept in-kind and cash gifts from Music Mart Faribault (listed as cello, foam shoulder rests, and other supplies) for the district orchestra program. The roll call showed five members present and voting in the affirmative (motion passed 5–0).

- Policy revisions (second readings): The board approved second readings and adoption of multiple policy revisions that had been recommended by the district policy committee. The motion combined a list of policies; the items were advanced on the committee recommendation and approved by voice vote.

- Rescission of Policy 5-37 (Positive School Expectations): The board voted to rescind Policy 5-37 and continue to govern operational expectations through student handbooks that are based on MSBA templates. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Designation of Reliance Bank: After an RFP process managed with outside financial advisors (Ehlers), the board designated Reliance Bank for local banking services, including deposit and payroll processing. The district asked Ehlers to evaluate proposals on categories such as net financial benefit, community involvement, fee structures, technology and collateral capability. Ehlers recommended Reliance Bank; the district emphasized the bank’s capacity to collateralize large balances when needed and to offer sweep accounts and other services. The board approved the designation by voice vote.

- Fairbault High School tennis court agreement: The board approved a long-term intergovernmental/cooperative agreement for the Fairbault High School tennis courts (agreement term listed in the packet and transcript). District staff said the city asked to finalize leases before a planned personnel retirement; the board approved the agreement by voice vote.

- Funding request for additional security/student-connector personnel at Faribault High School: The board approved additional funding to hire a security/student-connector position intended to provide consistent hallway presence, check bathrooms and connect with students. The finance committee had recommended the request unanimously. Trustees discussed enforcement challenges related to vaping in bathrooms, existing vape detectors and legal limits on “wanding” (metal-detecting searches) for non-weapon contraband. The board approved the funding by voice vote.

- School calendars: The board approved the 2025–26 school calendar and the 2026–27 calendar (the 2026–27 calendar passed by recorded vote 4–1); the 2025–26 calendar was approved by voice vote.

Context and discussion highlights

Bank selection: District staff described an RFP sent to four local banks and a scoring rubric developed with Ehlers. Criteria included community engagement, product and technology offerings, fee structures, collateralization capacity and experience serving public entities. Staff emphasized the district requirement that local deposits be collateralized and noted they asked for a bank that could collateralize up to $5,000,000 at 110 percent (transcript: 10% figure referenced as collateral cushion and a 110% collateralization requirement for public funds). Ehlers recommended Reliance Bank based on the scoring matrix.

Security and vaping in high school bathrooms: The board discussed the limits of suspension under state guidance favoring non‑exclusionary discipline, how vape detectors alert staff but often fail to produce an on‑scene, attributable offense, and legal counsel’s view that wanding for contraband other than weapons rests in a gray area and could raise privacy concerns. Trustees asked staff to pursue a combination of interventions: a dedicated connector/security staff person, use of existing vape detectors, targeted interventions for students identified as using substances and ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and health partners.

Other procedural items: The board approved consent agenda items (minutes, personnel actions and routine finance items) by voice vote; the finance committee reported on enrollment and fiscal trends and previewed a proposed package of budget reductions and targeted enhancements that will return to the board for action in March.

No litigation, ordinances or ordinance readings were taken at the meeting. Where the transcript recorded roll-call votes, those tallies are included below. Most other approvals were conducted by voice vote and are recorded as approved in the transcript.