Farmington board approves device sale, health premium increase, teachers contract and 2026–27 budget additions

The Farmington Public School District Board voted on several administrative and budget items at its regular meeting, approving the sale of retired technology, changes to employee insurance, a new teachers contract and a set of recommended budget additions for 2026–27.

Superintendent Berg recommended accepting the highest bidder for the district’s retired iPad and MacBook fleet, listed in the board packet as “Efirb” of Pompano Beach, Fla., which submitted $439,187.80. Berg said the district plans to place the proceeds in an assigned fund balance dedicated to future technology refreshes. "We had almost $440,000 in the bank that we can use as either down payment or offset that," Berg said. The board approved the sale by voice vote.

Human resources director Jess Ulrich recommended a 5% increase in premiums for all health plans effective July 1, 2026, and noted adjustments to the high‑deductible plan deductibles (single to $3,400; two‑party/family to $6,200). Ulrich said UnitedHealthcare will continue as the third‑party administrator for the self‑funded plan, Delta Dental premiums will not change and the VSP voluntary vision plan will see a small rate reduction. "What we're recommending tonight is a 5% increase," Ulrich said. Chair Chuck Christiansen said he would abstain from the vote because UnitedHealthcare is a sister company to his employer; the board approved the motion and it carried by voice vote.

The board also ratified a tentative two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Farmington Education Association covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Ulrich said the agreement includes a 2.1% increase to salary cells in year one, a 2% increase in year two, longevity adjustments that raise many steps to $500 and full retroactive pay. Administration estimated the total cost of the package at about 8.73%.

On the budget front, Superintendent Berg presented recommended additions for the 2026–27 school year: materials and assessments (about $100,000 annually), one FTE to support district‑wide math, five FTEs for elementary learning coaches (roughly adding 1.5 FTE per elementary school where applicable), and one FTE to reduce multilingual caseloads. Berg noted strong student interest in newly approved pathways — more than 160 students registered for welding — and said the recommended items support course registration and program rollout. A board member asked about long‑term sustainability given a projected annual loss of roughly 200 students, which the board estimated could reduce revenue by about $2 million per year; Berg said QCOMP and other funding streams are being reviewed and stressed that positions could be adjusted in the future if enrollment declines. The board approved the budget recommendations by voice vote.

The meeting concluded with a motion to move to a closed session at 6:12 p.m. under Minnesota Statute 13D.03 to discuss labor negotiation strategy; the motion passed.

Details of recorded motions: the sale of retired devices (recommended bid $439,187.80) and the approvals for health‑plan changes, the teachers contract and the 2026–27 budget were all moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; several motions identified movers and seconders in the minutes (for example, motions were recorded as moved by Gorman or Storley and seconded by Storley, Zerski, DeWelty or Jeserski at the times noted in the packet). Chair Christiansen’s stated abstention in the health‑insurance vote was noted on the record.

Next steps: the district will execute the device sale per the award paperwork, implement the new health plan rates for open enrollment April 27–May 8, proceed with steps to implement negotiated contract provisions (including retroactive pay), and begin hiring or posting positions tied to the approved budget items as appropriate.