School board approves preliminary levy, ratifies teachers’ contract and signs routine business items

The Independent School District 622 school board on Sept. 22 approved a package of routine and substantive actions, including accepting donations, approving a gymnastics cooperative agreement, certifying the proposed 2025 (payable 2026) property tax levy at the maximum amount permitted, appointing election judges for the Nov. 4 special election, and ratifying a tentative two‑year contract with the teachers’ union.

The board voted to adopt the consent agenda items A through D by voice vote after a motion from Director Seward and a second from Director Anderson; later the board moved and approved item E (a resolution supporting a girls gymnastics cooperative) after Director Yener moved and Director Livingston seconded. Director Yener later thanked staff and parents; the motion carried by voice vote without roll‑call tallies recorded in the minutes.

The board accepted two monetary donations — $120 from Lakeview Lutheran for school supplies and recess equipment and $125 from Connie Hall for school supplies for students in need — and noted the district’s fiscal‑year 2025–26 donations total listed as $15,269 in the meeting materials. Treasurer/finance staff recommended acceptance under the statutory authority cited during the meeting.

On the preliminary property tax levy, the board adopted a resolution to certify the proposed 2025 (payable 2026) levy “for the maximum amount” for which the district is currently eligible, a common practice to preserve flexibility while the Minnesota Department of Education finalizes levy inputs. Finance staff explained that levy runs change daily because of state calculations tied to enrollment and market value; the board approved the maximum so staff can adjust up if additional eligible items are confirmed before the final certification in December. The vote carried by voice vote with no opposing votes recorded.

The board approved a resolution appointing election judges for the district’s Nov. 4, 2025, special election. The appointment motion passed by roll call that recorded “Aye” votes from the board (Nancy Livingston, Caleb Anderson, Michelle Yener, Charlotte Nittardi, Katie Swart and Katie Yang).

Human resources staff announced the district had reached a tentative agreement with the North St. Paul‑Maplewood‑Oakdale Education Association for the contract period July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027. The board approved the master agreement after the union membership ratified it. The contract terms described in the board packet include percent increases to the schedule steps identified by staff and an increase in the district contribution to the district‑sponsored Viva health insurance plan. The motion to approve the master agreement carried by voice vote.

The board also approved a calendar amendment to designate April 14, 2026, as an in‑person ACT testing day for 11th‑grade students and remote learning for grades 9, 10 and 12; and it adopted a package of policy revisions presented (third reading) that updated references to statutes and clarified definitions and procedures across multiple policies. Both motions passed by voice vote.

Other business included setting the Oct. 7 work/study session location and time, and the board moved to adjourn at the meeting’s close.

Votes at a glance (items and outcomes) - Consent agenda items A–D: approved (mover: Seward; seconder: Anderson). Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Item E — Resolution for girls gymnastics cooperative: approved (mover: Yener; seconder: Livingston). Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Acceptance of contributions (Lakeview Lutheran $120; Connie Hall $125): approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Proposed 2025 (payable 2026) property tax levy: certified at the maximum amount for which the district is currently eligible: approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Resolution appointing election judges for Nov. 4, 2025: approved by roll call (Livingston, Anderson, Yener, Nittardi, Swart, Yang — all recorded “Aye”). - North St. Paul‑Maplewood‑Oakdale Education Association master agreement (07/01/2025–06/30/2027): approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Calendar amendment to set ACT test day (04/14/2026) as in‑person for juniors / remote for other grades: approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Policy revisions (13 policies, third reading): approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified. - Motion to set Oct. 7 work/study session: approved. Vote: voice, all in favor; tally not specified.

Board materials and staff presentations referenced Minnesota statutes and the Minnesota Department of Education levy processes; the board packet available on the district website contains the formal resolution texts and the full finance worksheets cited during discussion.

Ending: The board concluded the meeting after routine board communications and adjourned.