School board approves budget revision, accepts community gifts and files required pay-equity report

The Spring Lake Park Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 14 approved several administrative actions including a revised fiscal-year 2024–25 budget, a resolution accepting community gifts under board policy, and the district's pay-equity implementation report required by state law.

Why it matters: the budget revision adjusts the district's recorded revenue and expenditure projections for the current year and clarifies timing differences from prior audits; the gifts resolution formalizes acceptance of donated property or funds under board policy 706; and the pay-equity filing fulfills a Minnesota statutory requirement and public-notice obligation every three years.

The board took the following votes during the meeting:

- Approval of the agenda: Motion to approve the agenda was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which included November 2024 payments totaling $6,147,207 and listed personnel items. Motion: moved by Forsberg; second by Scully; motion passed by voice vote.

- Resolution accepting gifts: The board approved a resolution to accept gifts under board policy 706 and Minnesota Statute 465.03. Motion to approve the resolution was moved and seconded; a roll call recorded unanimous support from voting members present (6-0). The clerk called the roll with recorded "Yes" votes from McClellan, Schmidt, Ennis, Forsberg, Skelly and (Anne/Tony) Easter; the resolution passed on a 6-0 vote.

- Pay-equity implementation report filing: The board moved to direct administration to submit the pay-equity implementation report for the calendar year ended Dec. 31, 2024, to the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations. The motion noted that the statute requires a statistical analysis every three years to demonstrate no gender-based wage inequities; staff reported the district passed the analysis. Motion: moved by McCollum; seconded by Schmidt; motion passed by voice vote.

- Revised 2024–25 budget approval: The board approved the revised 2024–25 budget as presented (covering general fund, food service, community education and debt service adjustments). Motion: moved by Scully; seconded by Hennen; motion carried by voice vote.

Board members did not amend these motions during debate. Where a roll call was called, the clerk recorded unanimous yes votes for the gifts resolution; other votes were taken by voice as noted above.

Looking ahead: board members were reminded that budget planning for the 2025–26 fiscal year continues this spring, with a proposed budget expected at a May work session and a final budget scheduled for June action.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — mover/second: motion moved and seconded (voice vote) — outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (payments and personnel) — mover: Forsberg; seconder: Scully — outcome: approved. - Resolution to accept gifts (per policy 706; Minn. Stat. 465.03) — mover/second: moved and seconded — roll-call: McClellan, Schmidt, Ennis, Forsberg, Skelly, (Anne/Tony) Easter — outcome: approved (6-0). - Pay-equity implementation report (file with state) — mover: McCollum; seconder: Schmidt — outcome: approved. - Revised 2024–25 budget — mover: Scully; seconder: Hennen — outcome: approved.

Notes: Meeting minutes and the adopted budget revision chart will be posted with the district packet. The pay-equity report is required by Minnesota statute every three years and the board action included direction to post the required public notice in district schools.