Action of the School Board - 5.5.25

May 5, 2025

Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent of elementary schools and Denise Schnabel, principal of Ramsey Elementary School, recognized Emily Payán, grade two teacher at Ramsey Elementary with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Becky Brodeur, associate superintendent of middle schools and student services, presented Tom Hagerty, principal of Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) in recognition of their 2025 Magnet Schools of Excellence award from the Magnet Schools of America.

Becky Brodeur, associate superintendent of middle schools and student services, presented advisors from district middle schools who recognized students who were awarded with honors related to the math and choir.

St. Cloud State Math Contest

• Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Kolden Johnson, Gus Barth, Charlie Blansette, Amalie Foudray, Daniel Gbati.
• Coon Rapids Middle School - Jesse Dorsing, Cameron Loomis.
• Jackson Middle School - Delaney Collins, Griffen Dahmer, Isaac Soerns, Timothy Tran, Kimber Notvedt, Summit Wiley, Andrew Coan, Jonathan Hennessy, Evan Knutson, Britta Moll, Patrick Navratil, Ivan Oldroyd, Isley Sammler, Mia Daas, Caden Eden, Brody Melberg, Mason Parisian.
• Northdale Middle School - Liam Jann, Henry Carney, Amelia Pelton, Addy Stemweel, Lucas Hilker, Fatima Muhamed, Firdawsa Muhamed.
• Oak View Middle School - Cameron Axtman, Thomas Hanson, Matthew Ritter, Whitney Shepherd, Cole Minetor, Brodrik Quinehan, Joseph Reed.
• Roosevelt Middle School - Nicolas Aguayo, Finnegan Appel, Brandon Caruthers, Aiden Lavik, Landon Thomas.

ACDA All-State Choir

• Jackson Middle School - Leyna Barnes, Norah Crosland, Ayowole Fatejo, Addison Nelson, Zariya Williams.
• Oak View Middle School - Jacob Jared, Baylynn Lluveres, Emma Soderlind, Adelyn Stock, Elizabeth Wood, Addisyn Curtis, Myla Ledermann, Jenkins Thunberg.

Kacy Deschene, co-chair, presented recognition of national volunteer recognition week in honor of the impact made by the thousands of community volunteers who volunteer to support students and schools.

View recognition photos.

The School Board received testimony from Val Holthus, Pankuri Goraksha-Hicks , Steve Nelson, Jennifer Walberg, Dr. Jodi Baker, Laurie Thompson, Trinette Langner, Barbara Blake, Megan Schmidt, Laurel Mohr, John Wolhaupter, Katie Yankovec, Kelly Beulke, Tricia Thorson, Emily McCollor, Joe Rothstein, Beth Lynn Heimerl and Laura Olson.

The School Board took action regarding employees and positions in the district in relation to a reporting timeline needed to comply with contracts and state requirements. Dr. Jennifer Cherry, Executive Director of Human Resources, presented items for approval.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution in compliance with Minnesota Statute 122A.40, sub. 5. The action is considered a routine matter conducted annually by the board.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution, an action considered a routine matter conducted annually by the board.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution, an action considered a routine matter conducted annually by the board.

Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools and Ann Sangster, director of elementary curriculum, and Michelle Isaacson and Candice Riley, teaching and learning specialists, recommended Elementary ELA curriculum materials for adoption. The School Board established elementary literacy as a strategic priority and the State of Minnesota has also prioritized reading proficiency by using curriculum that follow the principles of “the science of reading”. The recommendation was approved on a 6-0 vote. The action represents a $5 million investment in reading materials with a series of three curriculum purchases, including CKLA (K-5) Bridge2Read (K-3) and Functional Morphology (4-5).

View the presentation.

Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools and Becky Brodeur, associate superintendent for middle schools, presented to the School Board a review and recommendation for Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Options presented for board approval include maintaining the current SEL programming with Character Strong and Leader in Me, continuing with current materials and entering into a curriculum materials adoption process for implementation in 2026-27, or eliminating current SEL curriculum materials and directing a district process to create materials for character development. Following extended discussion on this topic, the matter was tabled until the May 19, 2025, meeting.

View the presentation.

Dr. Jennifer Cherry, executive director of human resources, provided an overview and presented a proposal for the 2026-27 calendar and highlighted the process for approval with the district’s calendar committee. The calendar was approved on a unanimous vote.

Dr. Jennifer Cherry, executive director of human resources and Todd Mensink, director of labor relations and benefits, provided the School Board with an overview of the 2025-26 health insurance options and rates. Final approval will be considered by the School Board at a future meeting.

Watch the presentation.

Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, presented a preliminary FY26 general budget timeline for decision making, which includes a series of financial planning assumptions for the district. She also provided a snapshot looking forward to the FY27 budget. The School Board is expected to consider approval of the 2025-26 budget in June. By state law, the School Board is required to approve a budget by July 1, 2025.

Watch the presentation.

1. Minutes from the April 14 School Board work session.
2. Retirements, resignations, terminations, layoffs and recalls, leaves and modified leaves of absence, appointments.
3. Cash disbursements report.
4. Cash balance report.
5. Donations and scholarship report.
6. Monthly revenue and expenditures.
7. 2025 property, liability and cyber insurance renewal.
8. #25040B furnish and delivery of fresh bakery products.
9. Purchasing of textbooks.
10. Immunization exclusions as required by statute 121a.15.

Special School Board meeting, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sandburg Education Center, 1902 2nd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303.

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