Wayzata school board approves policies and two budget items; middle-school phone policy alignment discussed

The Wayzata Public School District Board of Education approved several administrative items at its April 14 regular meeting, including two board policies, a revised Community Education (Fund 4) budget and the district’s FY2025–26 operating-capital budget.

The board voted to approve the recommended policies presented by staff: Policy 506 (Student Clothing and Appearance) and a new policy on personal electronic communications devices. The board waived a second reading and approved Policy 506 for adoption; district staff said building-level regulations will be aligned over the summer so all three middle schools use consistent protocols for electronic devices in the fall.

The board approved a revised Community Education fund budget for fiscal year 2024–25 (Fund 4). The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes (Sheila Pryor; Heidi Kader; Valentina Ayers; Dan Genestra; Sarah Johansen; Paras Bende; Milan Sahony). The revised Fund 4 budget reflected modest net changes (staff cited roughly an $81,000 net variance from the initial estimate) driven by timing of hires, some increases in purchase services and capital or technology updates for sites shared with schools. The director of community education noted the fund’s post‑pandemic recovery and that the district maintains a separate Fund 4 balance to protect the general fund from swings in fee-based revenue.

The board also approved the district administration’s recommended FY2025–26 operating-capital revenue and expenditure budget (projected operating capital roughly $3.2 million). That motion passed on roll-call with all members recorded as voting yes (Sarah Johansen; Paras Bende; Sheila Pryor; Heidi Kader; Valentina Ayers; Dan Genestra; Milan Sahony).

Policy and middle-school alignment discussion: Board members emphasized that building‑level regulations implementing the new electronic‑device policy will be finalized this summer. Members and staff said the intent is for consistent middle-school approaches in the fall; administrators and the policy committee will draft the specific regulations and building handbooks. Several board members urged parents and families to partner with schools as the change is implemented.

Administrative notes: Staff outlined that Community Education is largely fee‑supported (childcare, preschool, youth classes) and that the revised Fund 4 budget reflects recovered enrollments since COVID, an increase in contracted vendors, and a plan to rebuild the fund balance to buffer the general fund against revenue variability.

Ending: The board adopted the policies and budgets and directed staff to proceed with building‑level regulations and summer planning to align middle-school implementation.