The Richfield School Board conducted routine business and discussed several policy items and calendar changes at its regular Jan. 21 meeting.

On policy matters, the board received a second read of draft Administrative Guideline 926.3, the district’s language access plan. Superintendent Steven Younowski told the board the guideline adds operational details required for a state report, states the district’s aim to employ bilingual staff and to maintain at least one bilingual staff member at every site, and documents current practices including dual‑immersion programming and translation/interpretation services. Administrators said the guideline will return for a final vote at a subsequent meeting.

The board also had a second read on Policy 524 and Administrative Guideline 524.1 (promotion, retention and acceleration). Younowski and staff described updates to terminology and the district’s approach to enrichment and acceleration, including language changes away from “gifted and talented” toward “enrichment and acceleration” and provisions addressing twice‑exceptional students. These items also will return for final action at a future meeting.

Board members approved routine business items by voice vote, including the consent agenda and board liaison and committee assignments. The board accepted two donations: $83.20 to Richfield STEM Elementary from Box Tops for Education, and two $500 gifts to Richfield High School (one for the Nordic ski team and one for music and theater) from Mr. and Mrs. Ball of Minneapolis.

In discussions about election administration, administration reported it has consulted the Minnesota School Boards Association and city officials about the cost and logistics of odd‑year elections. The city told district staff it cannot continue to run odd‑year elections at reasonable cost. Administration proposed a transition to even‑year elections by making the next two school‑board elections (2025 and 2027) three‑year terms; that change would place subsequent seats on a schedule of 2028, 2030, etc., returning to four‑year terms thereafter. Board members expressed reluctance to extend current members’ terms; several said the three‑year term approach for newly elected members in 2025 and 2027 was the preferred remedy to align with city elections and reduce taxpayer cost. Administration said a formal board resolution would be brought forward in the spring to enact any change and that state notice and statutory requirements would guide timing.

The board also moved into a closed session under Minnesota statute cited as 13D.03 to discuss labor negotiations; the motion was approved by voice vote and the board adjourned its public livestream to enter the closed session.

Why it matters: the language access guideline and promotion/retention policy establish operational rules that affect non‑English speaking families and student academic placement. The election timing discussion could change when board elections occur and how the district budgets for election administration.