Saint Paul Board elects officers, approves annual organizational resolutions

The Saint Paul Public School District Board of Education unanimously elected its officers for 2025 at its Jan. 7 annual organizational meeting and approved a set of routine resolutions naming bank depositories, authorizing investments and confirming district policies.

The board selected Holly Henderson as chair, Bridal Ward as vice chair, Erica Valiant as clerk and Carlo Franco as treasurer, and then approved administrative housekeeping items required each year, including appointments and financial authorizations.

The board approved a resolution appointing Tom Steger, Executive Chief of Financial Services, as assistant treasurer for 2025 and appointed Sarah Dahlke as assistant clerk. The board also named the banks to serve as depositories and custodians for pledge collateral, authorized district investments under Minnesota statutes and the district investment policy, named brokerage firms to handle securities transactions, and approved continued participation in joint purchasing agreements. All motions passed unanimously by roll call.

Board members also approved a resolution naming the district's official newspaper, adopted and confirmed all policies contained in the SPPS policy manual, and approved the 2025 Board of Education meeting schedule. At the meeting the board acknowledged the annual signing attesting that members have reviewed the 200-level board policies, and members signed and submitted the required forms.

Several standing committee and school focus-area assignments were confirmed during the meeting. The board reviewed current committee rosters and allowed members to change or confirm their work-group commitments for the year.

Votes at a glance - Election of officers (chair: Holly Henderson; vice chair: Bridal Ward; clerk: Erica Valiant; treasurer: Carlo Franco): motion approved unanimously by voice/roll call. - Appointment of Assistant Treasurer (Tom Steger, Executive Chief of Financial Services): approved unanimously (roll call). - Appointment of Assistant Clerk (Sarah Dahlke): approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution naming depository banks and custodians for pledged collateral: approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution authorizing investment of district funds under Minnesota law and district policy: approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution naming brokerage accounts to handle purchase and sale of securities: approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution authorizing entry into joint purchasing agreements and continuing cooperative purchasing relationships: approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution naming the official newspaper: approved unanimously (roll call). - Resolution confirming and adopting all policies in the district policy manual: approved unanimously (roll call). - Approval of the 2025 meeting schedule: approved unanimously (roll call).

The meeting adjourned after the organizational business, and the board planned to reconvene immediately for a Committee of the Board meeting.

The board's motions and unanimous tallies were recorded on the meeting record by roll call; no motions failed or were amended during the organizational block.