Board approves employee contract, election‑judge appointments and advances policy readings; recognizes fall activities and retirees

The Sartell‑St. Stephen School Board approved a series of administrative and personnel items at its December meeting, including a contract with the Minnesota School Employees Association (MSEA), appointment of election judges and absentee ballot board members, and first readings of multiple board policies.

Contract and labor negotiations The board moved and approved a contract with the Minnesota School Employees Association. The motion to approve the MSEA contract was made and seconded during the meeting and carried by voice vote. Separately, meeting minutes and committee reports indicated the district also reached an agreement on paraprofessional contracts in negotiations; the district reported successful negotiations during the negotiations/finance committee update.

Election administration and policies The board adopted a resolution appointing election judges and absentee ballot board members. The motion to appoint judges and absentee board members carried by voice vote. The board also approved policy updates on a first reading for policies (identified in materials as 410, 412 and 413) and received first readings of additional policy sections (packet references included policies 05/22, 606 and related subsections). Board members discussed clarifying language for library/media material appeals (specifically clarifying the effect of a tie vote on an appeal), and asked administration to revise the draft language for a future agenda.

Superintendent and committee reports Superintendent remarks included a note that the district received a robotics grant of roughly $3,000 to support materials, competition fees and mentorship. The superintendent also thanked outgoing board member Jason Beese for 12 years of service; the board presented him with a handcrafted cribbage board made from reclaimed gym floor from the district's former Sartell Elementary School.

Other items The meeting featured recognition of fall activity leaders and student reports from elementary through high school, and committee members reported on facilities, career and technical education collaboration, and state lobbying efforts. Committees said they had been doing referendum outreach and that the district's community engagement included senior‑center briefings and booster‑club outreach.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Amend the agenda to add a fall activities report (amendment approved by voice vote). - Motion: Approve consent agenda (approved by voice vote). - Motion: Resolution appointing election judges and absentee ballot board members (mover recorded as Jen; second recorded as Matt). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion: Approve contract with the Minnesota School Employees Association (mover recorded as Jen; second recorded as Jason). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion: Approve first reading of policies 410, 412 and 413 (mover recorded as Jen; second recorded as Emily). Outcome: approved; language edits requested for future revision on appeal tie votes.

What the board did not do The board did not hold a roll‑call, recorded tally for these votes in the transcript; outcomes were recorded by voice vote as "motion carries." The meeting contained multiple informational reports but no other ordinance adoptions or long‑term contracts beyond those listed above.