Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves one‑time junior high math position and preliminary budget; first readings move several student policies forward
Summary
The board authorized a 1.0 FTE junior high math position described by members as a one‑time intervention to reduce large class sizes and help students who fell behind; the preliminary 2026–27 budget was also approved. The board conducted first readings of attendance, dress, discipline, service animal and cell phone policies and asked administration to return with clarified language on a proposed K–6 activity‑admission fee.
At its regular meeting, the Crosby‑Ironton School Board approved a one‑time junior high math teaching position for 2026–27 intended to reduce large class sizes and give students scheduled intervention time. Board members supporting the position said recent absences and an extended maternity leave had contributed to students falling behind and that an added math teacher (three class periods and three intervention periods) would provide focused support. One board member emphasized: "this is a one‑time thing" and urged administration to report back with evidence before making it permanent.
The board also approved the district’s preliminary 2026–27 budget by voice vote, noting the document must be in place by July 1 and can be amended later.
During first readings the board reviewed several policy revisions that will return for further consideration in July. Members asked administration to square suggested edits with the latest administrative proposals — for example, changing the work‑makeup timeline in the attendance policy from five days to two and filling a missing item under unexcused absences. On dress code (Policy 504) several members criticized vague wording such as "skimpy tank tops," arguing it is subjective and suggested pictorial examples and a workshop with coaches and principals to clarify enforceability, particularly at after‑school athletic events.
The board debated proposed language to charge students in grades K–6 an admission fee when attending events without a paying adult. After extended discussion about supervision and enforcement the motion failed; members directed administration to return with clearer wording (for example: specify that K–6 students accompanied by a paying adult are not charged) and to report on practical enforcement options such as use of family passes, QR codes or ID badges.
Other approvals included routine procurement actions (authorize bidding for milk, bread and trash collection), renewal of membership in the Minnesota Rural Education Association, and authorization for the superintendent to sign a set of annual agreements (ice time, athletic trainer, concurrent enrollment and several service contracts).
What’s next: the policies on first reading will return for additional review at the July work session, administration will bring clarified activity‑fee language for K–6 and a plan for enforcement options, and staff will report implementation details and outcomes for the math position in the coming year.
