School board approves routine business, league membership, Portage Park lease, SRO contract and community engagement plan

The Grand Rapids Public School Board approved a series of routine and policy items at its meeting. Motions carried by voice vote for agenda approval, meeting minutes, April 2025 claims, a listed retirement, consent agenda items and multiple contracts and resolutions. Key actions included appointment of two 2025–26 student board representatives, renewal of a three‑year athletic field lease with the City of Cohasset, approval of the district’s membership in the Minnesota State High School League and approval of a three‑year school resource officer agreement with the City of Grand Rapids.

Appointments and routine approvals - The board appointed Erin McMullen and Eva Ruzinski as the district’s 2025–26 student board representatives; the motion was moved and seconded from the floor and approved by voice vote (terms begin in September). - The board approved the minutes of the May 5, 2025 regular meeting and the April 2025 claims. - The retirement of a 31‑year ESP employee, Denise Scooch, was acknowledged and approved. - The consent agenda (standard items) was approved.

Athletics and league membership - The board approved continued membership in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for the 2025–26 school year. During discussion one board member raised concerns about MSHSL policy toward participation standards and the implications for girls’ athletics, and asked whether the board should express concern to the league. Members noted the district would suffer significant consequences if it chose to leave the MSHSL and that the district also receives athletic-insurance and tournament access through membership. The membership motion passed by voice vote.

Portage Park lease - The board approved a three‑year renewal of the Portage Park fields lease with the City of Cohasset. District staff reported the city has not increased the price in recent years; the district levies to cover approximately 92% of the cost of the lease.

School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement - The board approved a 2025–26 agreement with the City of Grand Rapids for school resource officer services. Superintendent Gross told the board the contract includes a roughly 9% increase in cost, driven in part by city-side recruitment and retention pressures in law enforcement. He said the Safe Schools Levy covers the agreement and that, under recent legal and policy changes, the SRO role focuses on law‑enforcement responses rather than routine school-discipline enforcement. Board members asked about alternatives (security personnel vs sworn officers); the superintendent said alternatives would change the nature of services because a non‑sworn security position would not have law-enforcement authority in legal matters.

Community engagement strategy - The board approved a proposed community engagement and strategic-communications plan to build transparency, surface community priorities and clarify levels of support for additional funding or future program reductions. The superintendent and subcommittee recommended reallocating some existing communications/advertising funds to support the engagement work rather than seeking new money.

Other items - The board approved a resolution for 2025–26 membership in the MSHSL for both Grand Rapids and Bigfork high schools and a Portage Park lease agreement with the City of Cohasset. Board members reported on recent school events, scholarships and student-success highlights, and were reminded of upcoming graduations and community events.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting) - Appoint Erin McMullen and Eva Ruzinski as 2025–26 student reps: Moved from floor; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve minutes (05/05/2025): Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve April 2025 claims: Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve retirement of Denise Scooch: Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve consent agenda: Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve MSHSL membership (2025–26): Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote); discussion noted concerns about participation policy and girls’ sports. - Approve three‑year Portage Park lease with City of Cohasset: Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote). - Approve 2025–26 SRO agreement with City of Grand Rapids (9% cost increase): Moved by board member; seconded; approved (voice vote); Safe Schools Levy will fund the contract. - Approve community engagement strategy and reallocation of communications funds: Moved by superintendent (on the floor); seconded; approved (voice vote).

Board members and administrators who spoke during these agenda items urged continued community engagement, recognized student and staff achievements and thanked staff for recent events and fundraisers. The meeting adjourned to a closed session by roll call vote at the end of the public session.