Faribault school board approves audit, revised FY26 budget and multiple policy updates

The Faribault Public School District board voted on a package of financial and policy items at its Nov. 24, 2025 regular meeting, approving the district audit, a revised FY26 budget presentation, changes to employment agreements for 2025–2027, and several policy reviews.

The board approved the district Audit Report after discussion. Jerry Robicheau moved the motion, Casie Steeves seconded, and the motion passed 6-1 with Chair John Bellingham, Lynda Boudreau, Candace Knudson, Robicheau, Steeves and Chad Wolff voting in favor and Director Linda Moore voting against.

The consent agenda — which included minutes for Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, employment actions, additional assignments, authorization of payments/transfers and investment accounts, and retirements — was approved 6-1 (moved by Robicheau, seconded by Wolff); Moore cast the lone dissenting vote.

In committee and policy business, the board approved the first reading of a group of policies by a 7-0 vote (mover: Robicheau; seconder: Boudreau). The board later approved the review of Policy 401 (Equal Employment Opportunity) on a 5-2 vote (moved by Casie Steeves; seconded by Robicheau) with Directors Candace Knudson, Robicheau, Steeves, Wolff and Chair John Bellingham voting in favor and Lynda Boudreau and Linda Moore voting against. The board approved reviews of Policy 410 (Family and Medical Leave), Policy 417 (Chemical Use and Abuse), and Policy 420 (Students and Employees with Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases and Certain Other Communicable Diseases and Infectious Conditions) each by 6-1 margins, with Moore opposed in each case. The second reading revisions to Policy 625 (Use of and Reproduction of Copyrighted Materials, previously Policy 803.4) were approved unanimously, 7-0 (mover: Boudreau; seconder: Steeves).

Under other matters, the board adopted Gifts/Donations — Resolution 26-05 by roll-call vote, 7-0 (mover: Wolff; seconder: Steeves). The Revised FY26 Budget Presentation was approved after discussion by a 6-1 vote (moved by Boudreau; seconded by Knudson) with Moore dissenting. The board also approved changes to Employment Agreements for 2025–2027 by a 6-1 vote (moved by Robicheau; seconded by Boudreau); the minutes record approval but do not specify the textual changes or any fiscal impact.

Chair John Bellingham used a point of privilege to recognize Dawn Peanasky, a retired Faribault High School counselor, for her years of service. Director Lynda Boudreau thanked staff, singling out Barbie Roessler, Director of Finance and Operations, for her work on the budget.

The minutes record that Student Board Representative Amira Williams, board members Linda Moore and John Bellingham, and Superintendent Jamie Bente each gave reports; the minutes do not include the contents of those reports. The board noted its next regular meeting and Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Audit Report — Motion to approve audit report; mover: Jerry Robicheau; seconder: Casie Steeves; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). - Consent agenda (minutes; employment; payments/transfers/investments; retirements) — mover: Jerry Robicheau; seconder: Chad Wolff; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). - First reading of group of policies — mover: Robicheau; seconder: Boudreau; outcome: approved 7-0. - Policy 401 (Equal Employment Opportunity) review — mover: Casie Steeves; seconder: Jerry Robicheau; outcome: approved 5-2 (Boudreau and Moore opposed). - Policy 410 (Family and Medical Leave) review — mover: Jerry Robicheau; seconder: Chad Wolff; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). - Policy 417 (Chemical Use and Abuse) review — mover: Casie Steeves; seconder: John Bellingham; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). - Policy 420 review — mover: Jerry Robicheau; seconder: Casie Steeves; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). - Policy 625 second reading (Use of and Reproduction of Copyrighted Materials) — mover: Lynda Boudreau; seconder: Casie Steeves; outcome: approved 7-0. - Gifts/Donations — Resolution 26-05 — mover: Chad Wolff; seconder: Casie Steeves; outcome: approved 7-0. - Revised FY26 Budget Presentation — mover: Lynda Boudreau; seconder: Candace Knudson; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). Budget dollar amounts or line-item changes not specified in the minutes. - Employment Agreements changes (2025–2027) — mover: Jerry Robicheau; seconder: Lynda Boudreau; outcome: approved 6-1 (Moore opposed). Specific agreement language and fiscal effects not specified.

The minutes do not record direct quotations from speakers or provide detailed budget figures or the specific text of employment agreement changes; those items would require review of supporting documents or later meeting packets for full detail.