Board approves revised FY25 budget, cell‑phone policy, move to even‑year elections and multiple grants and contracts

The Richfield School Board on March 3 approved a set of financial, policy and contracting actions, including a revised fiscal‑year 2025 budget, a new student cell‑phone policy and administrative guideline, a transition plan to move board elections to even years, acceptance of a Safe Routes to School Boost grant and award of a construction contract for high‑school toilet‑room renovations.

What the board approved

- Revised fiscal‑year 2025 budget: The board approved a revised FY25 budget with total revised general‑fund revenue and expenditures shown in the packet. Finance presenter Craig Holgie (presenter) summarized that revised revenue across funds increased by about $5.3 million from the adopted budget, driven by enrollment adjustments and higher state special‑education aid; projected expenditure increases included staff salary/benefit adjustments and higher special‑education transportation and tuition costs. Director Balson moved to accept the revised budget and Director Liss seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with the chair voting aye.

- Policy 5.50 (Student cell phones) and administrative guideline 5.50.1: After prior readings and stakeholder review, the board voted to adopt policy 5.50 and accompanying administrative guidelines. Director Liss moved for passage; Director Paulus seconded. The chair called for a voice vote; the motion carried and the chair voted aye.

- Resolution establishing transition plan to even‑year board elections: The board adopted a resolution to run three‑year terms in 2025 and 2027 and move back to four‑year terms in even years beginning in 2028. Proponents said the change aligns district elections with the city and helps reduce costs. Director Paulson moved to adopt the resolution and Director Banks (Capshaw) seconded. The resolution required a roll‑call vote. Recorded votes included Director Liss: aye; Director Banks Capshaw: aye; Director Pauls: aye; the chair voted aye. The resolution passed.

- Safe Routes to School Boost Grant: The board adopted the resolution authorizing acceptance of a Minnesota Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Boost grant to fund walking and biking encouragement, maps, a family learn‑to‑ride pilot, and culturally responsive outreach to Latino families. The board’s motion authorized district staff to execute the grant agreement. Director Banks Capshaw moved and Director Paulus seconded; the motion passed on a roll‑call/voice sequence and the chair voted aye.

- RHS toilet‑room renovation bid award: The board awarded the bid for Richfield High School toilet‑room renovations to Brennan Construction for $728,000, the lowest responsible bidder after review with the district’s architect. Two lower base bids were not accepted (one lacked required bid security and another withdrew due to a clerical error). Director Paulson moved to award the bid; Director Liss seconded. The motion carried on voice vote and the chair voted aye.

- Consent agenda and other routine items: The board approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda containing routine business items. A motion to approve the consent agenda passed by voice vote.

- Donation: The board accepted a $250 donation to Richfield High School (donors Carolyn Dieters and Timothy Wicker) with gratitude.

What the board did not decide

The board took no action on the first‑read policies presented this evening (policy 4.12 on public and personnel data and policy 5.82 staff notification of violent behavior); both were informational first reads and will return for further consideration.

Why it matters

The budget revision updates district revenue and spending projections mid‑year, reflecting changes in enrollment and special‑education funding and in special‑education transportation costs. The cell‑phone policy adoption implements locally determined rules with accommodations for individual medical or safety needs. Moving elections to even years is intended to reduce election costs and align municipal and district cycles; the board’s resolution establishes the transition plan and will be communicated to voters as required.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Policy 5.50 (student cell phones) — Moved by Director Liss; seconded by Director Paulus; outcome: approved (voice vote; chair aye). - Revised FY25 budget — Moved by Director Balson; seconded by Director Liss; outcome: approved (voice vote; chair aye). - Resolution: Even‑year elections transition — Moved by Director Paulson; seconded by Director Banks Capshaw; outcome: approved (roll‑call recorded; majority aye). - Safe Routes to School Boost Grant resolution — Moved by Director Banks Capshaw; seconded by Director Paulus; outcome: approved (roll‑call/voice; chair aye). - RHS toilet‑room renovation bid award to Brennan Construction ($728,000) — Moved by Director Paulson; seconded by Director Liss; outcome: approved (voice vote; chair aye). - Donation acceptance ($250 to RHS) — Moved by Director Banks Capshaw; seconded by Director Paulus; outcome: approved (voice vote; chair aye).

Record and next steps

The board moved into a closed session after a brief recess to discuss labor negotiation strategy under Minnesota statute 13D.03; no additional public business was transacted after the closed session at the livestream cutoff.

Note: This article reports motions, seconders and outcomes as recorded in the March 3 meeting transcript. Where vote tallies were recorded by name, the roll‑call names are reported; where the transcript records only a voice vote, the outcome is described as passed with the chair voting aye when recorded.