Alexandria school board approves preliminary levy, grants and administrative delegations; election-judge appointments set

The Alexandria Public School District board approved a series of routine and time-sensitive items at its Sept. 22 meeting, including the district—s preliminary property-tax levy for 2025 payable in 2026, grant applications and administrative delegations.

The board voted to approve the preliminary levy —at the maximum state-allowable amount,— a procedural step administrators said preserves flexibility while the final levy is certified later in the year. Superintendent Sand told the board the district—s live preliminary figures showed a decrease of about $325,000 (about 1.788 percent) on a total levy just under $18 million; he emphasized the number is not final and the board must certify the final levy by Dec. 29.

—This one is not final yet,— the presenter said, noting the county will use the board—s approved preliminary levy tonight to calculate notices mailed to residents and that final adjustments (including any voter-approved levies) are handled during the November-December certification process.

The board also approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the Aug. 18 meeting minutes, payment of bills for August 2025, personnel recommendations, and multiple grant applications and donations. Noted grant requests in the packet included a $100,000 Minnesota cybersecurity grant, a $55,000 opioid-settlement grant to support career-readiness at the ALC, and other smaller grants; donations highlighted included $18,000 from Friends of the Magnet for Meltona, $9,000 from the Meltona Firefighters Association, and community fundraising for athletic scoreboards and booster activities.

Administrators recommended delegating authority to the payroll technician and a CISO designee to initiate electronic fund transfers for investing district funds during the finance transition; the board approved that delegation. The administration also asked the board to adopt a resolution appointing election judges for a district special election scheduled Nov. 4, 2025; the board approved the resolution and the related motion to draft the formal resolution.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how the preliminary levy interacts with a possible capital-projects levy voters may consider in November, the timing for county notices, and the district—s use of external finance partners (Center for Effective School Operations) during the finance‑director transition. Administrators said they will issue a press release to explain the preliminary number to residents and will return with final figures later in the calendar year.

Votes at a glance: - Preliminary property tax levy, 2025 payable 2026 (motion to approve preliminary levy at maximum allowable amount): motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as —Aye—; motion carries. (SEG 612—19) - Consent agenda (minutes, bills, personnel, grant applications and donations): motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as —Aye—; motion carries. (SEG 160—71) - Designation of personnel for electronic fund transfers (payroll technician and CISO designee): motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as —Aye—; motion carries. (SEG 620—46) - Resolution appointing election judges for Nov. 4, 2025 special election: motion to draft/adopt resolution made and seconded; voice vote recorded as —Aye—; motion carries. (SEG 665—19)

Next procedural steps: county notices will reflect the approved preliminary levy; the board will finalize and certify the levy by Dec. 29 and hold the district—s Truth-in-Taxation hearing in December. Administrators said they will publish a press release with final figures after the district completes final calculations with finance partners.