The Fargo Board of Education approved several routine and substantive items during its Jan. 14 meeting, including the consent agenda and a five-year lease amendment for the Bluestem Center for the Arts, recognized an appropriate negotiating unit for classroom teachers, and voted to enter executive session to discuss negotiation strategy.

The board approved the meeting agenda "as presented, along with the human capital addendum," a motion made by Robin and seconded by Namal. The consent agenda, moved by Robin and seconded by Jason, was approved by voice vote with no opposition.

On business item A, the board authorized execution of Amendment No. 3 to the nonprofit lease with the City of Moorhead for the Bluestem Center for the Arts, extending the lease through Dec. 31, 2029. Tara explained the amendment had been renegotiated to remove or revise terms the district had been uncomfortable with and recommended execution. When asked about rent, Tara said the district "pays $1" and later clarified an initial thirty-year check of $30 had been exchanged when the lease was first signed. The motion was made by Robin, seconded by Namal, and passed on roll call (responses recorded as yes by Jason Nelson; Kristen Nelson; Robin Nelson; Birkeland; Clark; Day; Christensen Moneer) with the clerk announcing the motion passes "8-0."

On item B the board considered a petition "for recognition of the appropriate negotiating unit" presented on Jan. 8. The memo described the petition as satisfying the statutory step required to start the negotiation cycle and identified the unit as classroom teachers under the statutory definition. Tara said she reviewed documentation and recommended approval. Namal moved the recommendation; Robin seconded. Several members declared conflicts of interest before the vote. Roll call votes were recorded (Kristen Nelson; Robin Nelson; Berkeland; Day; Gullickson; Christensen Migner) and the clerk announced the motion passes "6-0."

Later the board voted to move into executive session "for the purpose of negotiation strategy as permitted under North Dakota Century Code 44-04-19" (motion made by Nikki, seconded by Robin). Two members who had earlier declared conflicts were excused from the room; after roll call the motion passed "6-0." The clerk confirmed the motion passed and the meeting recessed for executive session.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting agenda (with human capital addendum): Mover Robin; Second Namal; voice vote approved, no opposition.
- Approval of consent agenda (including HR8 human capital addendum): Mover Robin; Second Jason; voice vote approved, no opposition.
- Authorize execution of Amendment No. 3 to nonprofit lease with City of Moorhead for Bluestem Center for the Arts (extend to Dec. 31, 2029): Mover Robin; Second Namal; Roll-call yes votes recorded; outcome: approved (8-0).
- Recognize appropriate negotiating unit for classroom teachers (petition filed Jan. 8): Mover Namal; Second Robin; Roll-call yes votes recorded; outcome: approved (6-0). Several members declared conflicts before the vote.
- Move into executive session for negotiation strategy (NDCC cited): Mover Nikki; Second Robin; Roll-call recorded; outcome: approved (6-0). Two members who previously declared conflicts left the room.

The board returned to nonpublic business and later adjourned at 6:34 p.m.