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Board approves agenda, two policies, 2025–26 calendar and donations; moves to closed session
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Richfield School Board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda, passed Policy 4.14 (staff professional boundaries) and Policy 5.85 (student surveys), adopted the 2025–26 district calendar, accepted several donations and moved to a closed session to discuss labor negotiations.
The Richfield School Board on Feb. 18 approved routine business and several formal items: the meeting agenda and consent agenda, two district policies, the 2025–26 school calendar, and multiple donations. The board then convened a closed session to discuss labor negotiations.
The board first approved the meeting agenda and later approved the consent agenda; both votes were carried by voice vote with the chair announcing the agenda and consent items approved.
On policies, the board approved Policy 4.14 (Staff Professional Boundaries and Administrative Guidelines 414.1 and 414.2) on a fourth read and approved Policy 5.85 (Student Surveys and Administrative Guidelines 585.1) on a third read. The administration said Policy 4.14 had undergone review by HR, Safe and Supportive Schools, student groups (RMS, RHS, RCEP), Ed Richfield and district counsel; the board voted to adopt the updated language.
The board discussed a district student cell‑phone guideline (Policy 5.50), which was on its second read; board members and staff described ongoing student and staff conversations and said final language and implementation details will be ready for subsequent meetings. The administration noted it was required by statute to produce a student cell‑phone policy and said it would seek additional input from students, staff and parent groups before finalizing the guideline.
The board approved the 2025–26 district calendar after the calendar committee presented options and stakeholder feedback. The committee said it balanced nonnegotiables (instructional days, contract obligations and culturally significant days) and secured a two‑week winter break while keeping a June finish date by reworking conference comp‑day scheduling and other calendar details.
The board accepted three donations with gratitude: an anonymous $10,000 gift to the Richfield Ready Scholarship Fund; $1,000 to the activities department from Barry Bishop of Owatonna, Minn.; and $500 to Richfield High School for the Job Olympics from the Optimist Club of Richfield.
The meeting concluded with a motion to move into closed session for labor‑negotiation strategy under Minnesota law. The motion passed and the board recessed into a private room; the board announced it would return only to adjourn publicly.
Ending: The board scheduled its next regular meetings for March 3 and March 17 (the latter includes a public comment period).
