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Bismarck board accepts communications survey reports, retains governance policy and approves social-studies indicators
Summary
The board accepted OE 3 and OE 9 communications reports citing nearly 80% public support in the district survey, retained BSR 2 (single unit of control), approved revised R2 social-studies indicators on second reading and approved the consent agenda including a 5th-grade orchestra hire.
At its April 28 meeting the Bismarck Public School Board accepted two district communications reports, retained a governance policy and approved revised social-studies indicators in a series of recorded votes.
Steve Kuntz, the district’s director for community relations, presented OE 3 (treatment of community stakeholders) and OE 9 (communications operations), citing a community survey with more than 3,400 respondents, roughly 1,000 written comments and roughly 60% of respondents identifying as parents. Kuntz said the district received just over 80% affirmative responses to a question about overall positive impressions and reported "nearly 80%" support for district direction on the OE 9 target.
Board member Mister Lee moved to accept the OE 3 report as compliant; the motion was seconded and the board voted to accept the report as presented. The board also moved to accept the OE 9 report as compliant and approved it on a recorded vote.
The board held a public reading of BSR 2, the single-unit-of-control statement that clarifies the board's formal direction to the superintendent must be by formal recorded vote and that individual members do not direct staff. Miss Presky moved to retain BSR 2; the motion passed on a recorded roll-call vote.
On governance results, Dr. Johnson brought back revised R2 academic-achievement indicators for social studies (including rewriting prior civics-involvement and global-awareness language into the superintendent's interpretation). Miss Peterson moved to approve the second reading of the revised indicators; the motion passed on recorded vote.
The consent agenda was approved. Dr. Johnson drew attention to a new contract on the consent agenda: Dr. Emmanuel Abraham will maintain the district’s 5th-grade orchestra program for the 2025–26 school year.
A financial update from the district finance presenter, Darren Chair, noted the district received the primary-residence credit and that revenues now appear on track with projections; he said there are some account-code variances being cleaned up and that overall finances "seem to be tracking in line." The board adjourned after considering all agenda items.
The votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous among members present on each item that carried; Dr. Fosnacht was absent.
