Votes at a glance: South St. Paul School Board approves coop, wellness JPA, grants and budget‑planning resolution

The South St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education took multiple formal actions at its Feb. 24 meeting. Below is a concise list of items the board voted on, stated outcomes and available vote tallies.

Girls’ hockey cooperative agreement — Approved The board approved a cooperative agreement to combine girls’ hockey programs with New Life Academy beginning in the 2025‑26 school year. Board discussion noted the coop will allow South Saint Paul to maintain the program as participation levels fluctuate; the coop’s teams will continue to play under the South Saint Paul banner. Vote: motion carried (recorded as approved; roll call/tally not specified in transcript).

Consent agenda (claims, bills payable, staffing) — Approved (7‑0) The board approved the consent agenda, which included financial claims, bills payable and staffing items. Chair Heumann noted Director Ryan Duffy had a potential conflict and was asked to abstain from that part of the consent vote; the recorded outcome in the meeting was “Motion carries 7‑0.”

Joint powers agreement for school wellness — Approved (7‑0) The board approved a joint powers agreement with Dakota County and Special School District 6 related to school wellness programming and funding. Assistant Principal Jen Sechhauer presented a related SHIP grant for an outdoor classroom at Lincoln Center (see next item). Vote: approved; recorded as unanimous with no recorded opposition.

SHIP grant / outdoor classroom at Lincoln Center — Approved (7‑0) The board accepted Dakota County SHIP funds (about $7,000) to advance an outdoor classroom and expand a garden program at Lincoln Center; administration and PTA will pursue additional grants and fundraising for full buildout. Vote: approved 7‑0.

Resolution approving employment of a school board member as coach and substitute — Approved (7‑0) Under Minnesota statute 123B.095 (cited by HR), the board approved a resolution allowing a board member to be employed as a coach and as a substitute teacher for the 2024‑25 school year, subject to the statutory earnings cap. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote: all seven board members voted yes.

Resolution directing administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and/or positions — Approved (7‑0) The board approved a standard annual resolution directing administration to prepare recommendations for potential reductions in programs or positions should financial conditions require rightsizing for the 2025‑26 fiscal year. The motion passed on roll call, 7 yes. Administration said the resolution is the initial step in potential staffing processes, including possible unrequested leaves of absence for teachers.

Other business: policy second readings and recognitions The board conducted second readings of multiple policies (list provided in agenda) and heard multiple presentations recognizing athletics, performing arts and student clubs. The board also accepted the Native American Parent Advisory Committee’s vote of nonconcurrence (7‑0); that committee’s concerns and recommendations were presented separately to the board.

Record‑keeping note: where the transcript did not supply a full roll‑call tally the article records the recorded meeting outcome; motions and wording are taken from the meeting agenda and oral presentations.