Stillwater board adopts 2027–28 calendar, approves boundary change, Policy 605 and custodial contract; moves to closed session on labor talks

The Independent School District 834 Board of Education took several governance actions Dec. 16, approving the 2027–28 school calendar, a student boundary change, Policy 605 (Alternative Program), and the district’s 2025–2027 custodial master contract, and moving into a closed session to discuss labor negotiations.

A motion by Robert Parker to postpone action on the 2027–28 school calendar until November 2026 failed on a 2-5 vote. A subsequent motion by Alison Sherman to approve the calendar passed 5-2. Public commenters Peter Schuna and Amy Sonnek had raised calendar concerns during the public comment period.

The board approved a boundary change on a motion by Katie Hockert, seconded by Andrew Thelander; the recorded tally was 5-1-1 (one no vote and one abstention). The public minutes do not identify which board member cast the no vote or the abstention.

Policy 605 (Alternative Program) was approved on a motion by Sherman, seconded by Chris Lauer, with a recorded vote of 7-0. The board also approved the 2025–2027 custodial master contract on a motion by Sherman, seconded by Hockert; that motion passed 7-0. The district announced that negotiations with the Stillwater Classified Employees Association (SCEA) are ongoing and that the district and SCEA will submit a joint request to the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services to enter mediation; two additional negotiation meetings are scheduled after the winter break.

At 7:17 p.m. the board moved into closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.03(b) to discuss labor negotiation strategy and developments under Minnesota Statutes 179A.01–179A.25; the motion carried 7-0. The board returned to open session at 7:51 p.m. and adjourned at 7:52 p.m.