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Board approves Read Act MOA; district leaders say state funds fall short
Summary
The board approved a two-year MOA implementing the Read Act (Reading to Ensure Academic Development) after staff said state one‑time funds would not fully cover training hours and K–5 literacy resource adoption; vote passed 5–1 amid questions about a $55 board-credit fee.
The Robbinsdale board voted 5–1 to approve a memorandum of agreement implementing portions of the Reading to Ensure Academic Development (Read) Act after a presentation outlining expected district costs and implementation steps.
Bridget Hall, director of elementary curriculum and federal programs, summarized the MOU’s budget implications and described state-provided one-time funds as "not enough" for the scope of the training and resources the district expects to implement. She told the board the district will spend about $675,000 this year for extended-time training and estimated an additional $1.1–$1.4 million for a K–5 literacy resource adoption. "I believe the question was, then the amount of money that the state has provided us, is that enough? And the answer is no," Hall said.
Board members pressed staff about whether board-credit fees would be affected by the MOU. A district official explained Robbinsdale charges $55 per board credit (a long-standing practice) that contributes to salary lane changes, and said removing the fee would require negotiations with the bargaining unit. The superintendent and staff said implementation updates and effectiveness reports will be brought back to the board as the two-year MOU is enacted.
After discussion on costs, evaluation timelines and bargaining implications, the board took a roll-call vote approving the MOA (5 yes, 1 no). Director Long was recorded as the lone no vote, while other directors voted to approve the agreement.
