Wayzata board approves three policies and updated operating procedures; finance report shows revenues tracking to plan through December

The Wayzata Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 10 approved three updated board policies, accepted a monthly finance report through Dec. 31, 2024, and adopted revised standard operating procedures that add recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the agenda for regular monthly meetings.

On the motions considered, the board approved:

• Policy 502 — Student Discipline (reviewed using Minnesota School Boards Association model language), • Policy 516 — Admission of Nonresident Students / Open Enrollment Options, and • Policy 601 — Graduation Requirements.

Superintendent Chase Anderson told the board the policies were reviewed by the board policy committee and adapted from MSBA model policy language; the packet included associated administrative regulations for implementation. The board approved the three policies by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as passed.

The board also voted to approve updated standard operating procedures, a document that had not been substantially revised since 2018. Among the updates, the board added recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the agenda for regular monthly meetings and affirmed that any person may opt out of reciting the pledge for any personal reason. The motion to adopt the Feb. 10, 2025, standard operating procedures passed on a roll-call vote: Heidi Kader, Valentina Ayers, Dan Genestra, Paras Bende, Sheila Pryor and Milan Sahoney voted yes; Sarah Johansen was recorded absent.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda and consent agenda items — Passed by roll call (Yes: Paras Bende, Sheila Pryor, Heidi Kader, Valentina Ayers, Dan Genestra, Milan Sahoney; Absent: Sarah Johansen). - Approve Policies 502, 516, 601 as presented — Passed by voice vote (recorded as passed; members present voted Aye; Sarah Johansen absent). - Approve updated standard operating procedures (02/10/2025) adding pledge recitation with opt-out — Passed by roll call (Yes: Heidi Kader, Valentina Ayers, Dan Genestra, Paras Bende, Sheila Pryor, Milan Sahoney; Absent: Sarah Johansen).

Finance and operations

Executive Director Scott Lesage presented combined financial reports through Dec. 31, 2024, covering the first six fiscal months of the year. Lesage told the board that property-tax and state-aid revenues were tracking in line with expectations, noting the district’s largest expenditure category is payroll: “that’s roughly 70 to 72% of our overall aggregated expenditures” for the general fund, he said.

Lesage highlighted that one-time timing and purchase patterns affect year-to-date percentages: an early curricular purchase and capital expenditures at the start of the school year pushed supplies and capital spending higher in the first half of the fiscal year. He said benefits are trending down slightly due to an accounting change and that the revised budget to be presented March 3 will reflect updated estimates, including health insurance changes.

The report showed approximately $56.5 million in the district’s main trust account as of Dec. 31. Lesage described that cash balances fluctuate with the property tax levy cycle and state aid timing and cautioned against treating monthly cash balances as equivalent to unrestricted fund balance. “Every two weeks we spend $7,000,000 in payroll,” he said, explaining the district must manage cash flow so payroll and bills can be met.

Board questions focused on timing and how new investments and rising costs affect service areas such as food service and capital work. Lesage said some purchases are prepaid or contracted and that state reimbursements for food service payments have timing lags. He also noted inflationary pressures and said the finance team will present a revised budget on March 3.

What the board decided

- Approved agenda and consent agenda (roll call; passed). - Approved three board policies (502, 516, 601) as presented (voice vote; passed). - Approved updated standard operating procedures that add the pledge recitation with opt-out (roll call; passed). - Accepted the combined financial report through Dec. 31, 2024, and scheduled a revised budget presentation for March 3.

The board adjourned at 8:59 p.m.