School board approves planning assumptions, ratifies custodial contract and adopts personnel resolutions

The Alexandria Public School District board approved a set of planning assumptions to guide budget and staffing decisions for the 2025–26 school year, ratified a custodial contract covering fiscal years 2024–26 and adopted a series of personnel-related resolutions, including a resolution initiating recommendations for reductions or discontinuations and a resolution to discharge a continuing contract teacher under Minnesota Statute 122A.40.

Board action came after staff presentations on planning, budgeting and staffing. The board approved a first reading of the planning assumptions that administrators will use to prepare the 2025–26 budget and staffing proposals, including conservative enrollment estimates and the expectation of legislative changes during the session. The board then moved through a series of routine and required resolutions and contract ratifications.

The planning assumptions reference revenue assumptions such as a projected slight dip in adjusted daily membership (enrollment) and continued use of existing local levy certifications. On expenditures, the district highlighted staffing as its largest cost driver and noted it is planning to purchase three buses and continue to use deferred maintenance and operating capital funds for some debt service.

The board also approved a custodial contract that the administration said was negotiated through mediation. Terms summarized by staff at the meeting include a wage increase of $0.80 in year one and $1.25 in year two, and alignment of health insurance provisions with other settled employee contracts. Board members were told the custodial bargaining unit ratified the contract prior to board action.

On personnel matters the board adopted a routine, annual resolution directing administration to prepare recommendations regarding potential reductions or discontinuations of programs and positions for the coming year; the board described the resolution as the first of three steps used as a transparent planning tool. The board also adopted a resolution concerning the immediate discharge of a continuing contract teacher, a formal action taken under Minnesota Statute 122A.40 following a hearing that district staff said occurred on Dec. 18 and for which the board had received the hearing officer’s findings and the full reporter’s transcript.

The motions were moved and seconded on the record and approved by voice vote. Board members spoke in favor of following the established planning timeline and of bringing staff and the community along as difficult decisions are developed.

“Those are our methods and planning devices that we’ve used for a number of years,” one board member said, describing the annual public process that precedes staffing recommendations. The board chair then called for the votes and each motion carried.

Board members present at the meeting and several administrators who presented or answered questions were: Superintendent Rick Stinson; Trevor Peterson (budget staff); Jesse (human-resources staff); and board members (identified at the meeting) including Ellen and Sean. Several motions were handled by generic procedural language on the record (mover/second not named in the public audio), and outcomes were recorded by voice vote.

The board asked administration to return with more detailed budget projections and staffing proposals later in the spring as the district receives final legislative and grant information.

Votes at a glance - Approve adjusted agenda (addition: custodial contract): approved. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, payment of bills for Dec. 2024, monthly financial reports, personnel recommendations, and multiple grant acceptances and donations): approved. Grants and donations noted in the packet included preschool funding via the Minnesota Department of Education (no-cost seats), a $10,000 Butler Tech grant for Project Life curriculum, $40,000 from Douglas County Social Services for Woodland Community School families, a $1,300 grant from Como Park Zoo for a first-grade field trip, and several local donations to athletics and extracurricular programs. - First reading: planning assumptions for 2025–26 (budget/staffing guidance): approved. - Adopt resolution directing administration to make recommendations regarding reductions/discontinuations of programs and positions: adopted (first of required steps). - Adopt resolution for immediate discharge of a continuing contract teacher under Minnesota Statute 122A.40 following a hearing: adopted. - Ratify custodial contract (FY24–26): ratified. Terms summarized at the meeting: $0.80 increase in year one, $1.25 in year two, and health insurance alignment with other settled contracts.

Key administrative presenters and board contacts listed on the record included Superintendent Rick Stinson and finance/staffing staff. The board asked administration to provide follow-up documentation and detailed budget scenarios ahead of subsequent public meetings.