00:00:13,070	Josh Hager, president of the Bismarck School board. It’s 515 on Monday, March 23rd. I call this meeting to order. Welcome to those of you who are joining us both here and also online. You can find our agenda and follow along under the School Boards tab at Bismarck schools.org.

00:00:31,200	Uh, doctor chair, would you call the roll, please? Mr. Hager here, Mr. Eastgate here, Mr. Lee here. Mrs. Peterson. here. Miss Prescott. here. All board members are present for the meeting, even though a couple are joining remotely.

00:00:55,230	Um, so with that doctor Farzana, would you lead us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item one C beeps. Mission, vision and values. The mission is is to empower every learner to thrive.

00:01:31,200	The vision states together our strong relationships build inclusive, collaborative, and innovative environments that create, agency and inspire a passion for learning, excellence and discovery. BP’s values are inclusion, excellence, innovation, leadership. You’ll also find a link in the agenda to the PS Strategic Plan. Item two is to adopt the agenda. What are the wishes of the board? Mr. president, I move that we adopt the agenda. Second.

00:01:54,500	We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Uh, seeing. None. Doctor. Share. Eastgate. Yes. Lee. Yes. Peterson. Yes. Gretzky. Yes. Hager. Yes. Item three. Focus on success. Science in the classroom. Doctor. Foster. Good afternoon, board members. Nice to be with you again.

00:02:18,530	I’d like to introduce to the podium tonight. Uh, Mrs. Betsy Debert, who is a, uh, eighth grade science teacher at Horizon Middle School. And she’s going to talk to us about some great things happening in class. I heard you’re like the rock star put the spotlight on you. So she’s. So you live up to it tonight. So thank you for joining us.

00:02:34,370	Thank you. Thank you for having me. Um, well, I, uh, I spend my days with 13 and 14 year olds, kids who are passionate about, uh, hockey and basketball and video games and music, and they’re dreaming of getting their learner’s permits.

00:02:56,430	Uh, they spend a lot of time wondering what other people think of them. Uh, and into that chaos and that creativity. Uh, I try to inject some curiosity and critical thinking about things like black holes and volcanoes and thunderstorms and all of that happens. Um. Uh, in the walls of Horizon Middle School.

00:03:23,600	So, uh, to refresh your memory or take you down a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Uh, path, uh, what we teach in eighth grade, uh, is geology. So the study of, um, rocks and minerals and plate tectonics, uh, all of those things that make our Earth look the way that it looks. Uh, we study astronomy.

00:03:48,930	The stars, uh, the planets, distances in space, gravity and Kepler’s laws of motion. Um, meteorology. We study the weather, cold fronts, warm fronts, the water cycle, all of those things. Um, when I start my school year with the students, one of the things I do is I introduce this hashtag, embrace the awkward. Um, and it describes one of the ways that we explore and learn together.

00:04:14,400	So why do we embrace the awkward. Uh, the big idea is this movement, engagement, novelty and relationship. All of those things help to improve learning. So, uh, the first one is that movement improves focus and memory.

00:04:40,070	Uh, research on kinesthetic learning shows that physical activity, even just short little stints of activity, can improve concentration and working memory and academic performance. Um, that physical movement increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. That goes into a little, uh, physiology lesson there. And all of that supports, um, cognitive processing and retention of information. Uh, active participation increases retention.

00:05:06,400	Students learn more when they participate in the learning process, rather than just passively sitting and listening. Uh, emotion and novelty strengthen memory. Novel experiences. Um, and the addition of emotion create memories. So when students laugh, when they feel a little awkward, um, or experience something unexpected, their brain is more likely to encode that information.

00:05:38,270	And then it builds classroom community because we take a slight social risk together. That’s the awkward part. Um, and that that happens when you do something silly together and it creates a sense of community. We’re just a bunch of awkward people just being awkward together. Um, and of course, I teach in middle school, which is, frankly, the age of awkward.

00:05:59,630	This is me in middle school, but I’m not the only one who’s been awkward in middle school. So has can you name this board member, Mr. Eastgate? Yes, yes. And the father of a future two time back to back state championship basketball player. There he is, right there.

00:06:24,130	So hashtag embrace the awkward is just where we live. In middle school, it’s not just a pedagogical idea. So my students are going to show you what this looks like in our classroom. And I was thrilled that they were willing to say yes when I asked for volunteers. And I thought I didn’t really think I would get enough.

00:06:44,470	But every class period when I asked, they said yes. So there’s a little snippet from each class period because everybody in there were volunteers from each class period. So now hit it. These are your kids. Hey, Bismarck, school board. This is first period. Mrs.. Class, and we’re going to hashtag embrace the awkward with.

00:07:16,430	On igneous rock. On igneous rock weathering and erosion weathering. Erosion, compaction and cementation. Companion sedimentation. I’m a sedimentary rock. I’m southern rock heat and pressure. Heat and pressure. I’m a metamorphic rock. I’m rock, rock. I’m come out. I’m now be. I’m cool. I’m cool. I’ll tell. You. All right. I’m an igneous rock again. I’m igneous rock again.

00:08:10,900	We’re gonna separate in second period class, and we’re going to be explaining the three main elements that make the tectonic plates move. The three forces are mid-ocean Ridge, slab pull, and convection. Currents have embraced the awkward. Mid-Ocean ridge. Go explode and push, explode and. Push. Slap. Pull inside. And slab. Convection currents.

00:08:51,430	And Bismarck school board today we’ll be showing you about plate boundaries. And this is Mr. Britain’s third grade class. Collaborations. Divergence. Subduction. Because of convection. First. Hey. School board. We’re Mrs.. Everton’s fourth period science class. Her favorite class. And we’re about to show you how we understand the difference between revolution and rotation. What’s new revolve.

00:09:29,970	Now once we rotate, watch me rip. Now. Once we rotate, once we remove. Now when we rotate, once we live on now, once we rotate, rotate, rotate. Online access, rotate, rotate. On my access. Rotate, rotate over access. Rotate content. Revolve around sun. Revolve around the sun. Revolve around the sun.

00:10:00,900	Revolve around the sun. Every day that makes the seasons. And we might tell that makes the seasons. De de de de de nous. 999998 de de de de nine nine. Hey, there’s my school board. This is Mr. Everton’s fifth period science class, and we’re gonna use hashtag embrace the awkward to teach you about lunar and solar eclipses.

00:10:43,630	Here’s a chance to remember solar Smith, sun, moon. Earth. Lunar sim, sun. Earth. Moon. So there’s. Me. Lunar. So let’s see. Lunar surface. So this. Week lunar surface. So see lunar. So see who’s so to speak lunar. Is your turn to embrace the awkward. All right. Bismark school board. Uh, the gauntlet has been thrown.

00:11:22,070	So will you please stand up? Everybody, please stand up. All right. Okay. Let’s see. Okay. We are going to go through the rock cycle. Uh, and so. Oh, it went away. That’s okay. No problem. Okay. Yeah. Everybody. Yep. Stand up everybody. Let’s go. Come on. Okay.

00:11:48,330	So we are gonna start with, um, the igneous rock, and then we’re going to go all the way through the cycle. It’s what first period is. So I’ll do the action and then you repeat after. Me okay. All right. Here we go. I’m an igneous rock. I’m an igneous rock. Weathering, erosion. Weathering and erosion. Compaction and cementation action. Sedimentation. I’m a. sedimentary rock. I’m a sedimentary rock.

00:12:16,500	Heat and pressure. Heat and pressure. I’m a metamorphic. Rock. I am a metamorphic rock. I body. I’m melting. I’m cool. I’m. I’m an igneous rock again. I’m an igneous rock again. Good job. You hashtag embrace the awkward. Way to go, everybody. You thought you’re going to get away from that mic.

00:12:56,500	That clear? Oh, sorry. I, I thought that was. Yes. Board members. Oh, okay. Questions or comments? Oh, Mr. Lee. Thank you, president Hager. That was very awkward. Uh, good. Good. Ever do that again? No. I love your class. I love the motion. I just love the kids. It’s always fun to see the kids.

00:13:22,130	And it occurred to me that, you know, nobody is better equipped to handle the energy of eighth graders than the wife of Kyle devotee. So God bless you. Yes. Thank you for what you do, and I appreciate it. Mr. Eastgate. Your turn. Um, no, thank you very much, Mrs. Beaverton.

00:13:39,400	Um, having had one of my kids in your class and then a lot of friendly faces up there from your video. So it was really fun seeing some of those kids embrace the awkward that I don’t know if we get to get see them do that enough.

00:13:50,100	So good job. I was going to ask who did the choreography, but after you had us stand up, I think it’s you. So appreciate that. No. Um, just I think it’s great. You know, anything that we can do to get creative, get the kids moving around.

00:14:03,270	And I know your passion for the classes that you’re teaching, and I just really appreciate it. I love to see educators who I think are as excited to teach it. And then hopefully that catches on with some of the kids, especially those that are leaning towards science and all the different Stem things. So I appreciate you very much.

00:14:16,100	Even though I thought those pictures were for something in your class. So you got me. Um, thanks for that. Appreciate it. I did ask Mr. Foss. Not for somebody. It was too tricky for him to gather them up. That was a pretty deep box. Yeah. Thank you for coming in presenting.

00:14:34,470	I do have a quick question for you, though. I’m curious when you when you start your year, does it take a lot to get the eighth graders to, to dive into it like they did in that video? Well, I tell you what, eighth graders will try just about anything for a Jolly Rancher, so there is just a little bit

00:14:52,000	of extrinsic motivation to get them to get them going. But once they realize it’s fun and it’s silly, they’re okay. But I do keep giving them Jolly Ranchers every time we do it. That’s great. Thank you. Yeah. And then, Hager, if I may. Yes, Miss Peterson.

00:15:08,370	So sorry I that was that was amazing. And I don’t know if you you probably can’t see me, but I was doing the awkward from from my hotel room in Washington DC.

00:15:22,270	Um, but I also just wanted to I don’t really have a question, but I wanted to just like, comment because I, um, as somebody who has, um, obviously, you know, three awkward boys of, of my own, but I’ve been so impressed with the science program in, in Bismarck public schools. I have, you know, at least two out of the three of my boys have really embraced the science field.

00:15:41,670	And I have been I’m assuming that many of the students that come out of your classroom are now kind of in the same places, you know, our our science kids in Bismarck public schools have been competitors at, you know, science Olympiads and, and all of the different fields, both Bismarck High and Central.

00:16:00,200	And I know legacy is right on the the heels of it. So I just wanted to I know that, um, sometimes in the middle school fields, you don’t get as much credit as some of the high school, um, places, but they you you guys are really growing this.

00:16:16,670	And it’s clear from your classroom that those activities not only are fun and awkward, but they also are actually resonating with the kids and our science data shows that. So so thank you to your team and all of the work that you do. Because that was that was really fun. So thanks for for making me smile here, here in DC.

00:16:33,800	And um, and that was a really cool presentation. Thank you. Thank you. All right. That brings us down to item four, which is public comment. The board recognizes the central role parents play in the education of their children and supports active parent involvement in the education process.

00:16:57,870	The board’s practice of public comment reflects and aligns with policy, BCB and the spirit of its intent for classroom issues, it’s best to follow the chain of command teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent for district issues. Please reach out to Doctor Foster that if you do speak tonight, we simply ask that you be responsible, be helpful, and be respectful.

00:17:17,730	Our students deserve to have adults model the expectations we have for them. Groups are urged to select one spokesperson. Individuals will be limited to no more than four minutes and will be notified with 30s remaining to conclude the remarks. The board will not debate issues as presented, but will take such matters under advisement.

00:17:37,400	I believe we had some follow up from the last meeting, doctor. Oh yeah. If you want. If there’s no public comment, which I don’t see any, um, I would respond to the four questions we got from last meeting from Miss Neary, if that’s okay. Yeah. Unless you want me to open it up for public comment first.

00:17:56,670	Do you want to do that first? Then I’ll finish. Okay. Yeah, we will now open up for public comment. If you do wish to speak tonight, please approach the podium. Okay. Seeing no one public comment is closed, Doctor Brosnan.

00:18:17,000	So I did create, um, create a response because Miss Neary and her, um, sharing her concerns about Head Start last time did have four direct questions and I thought they were very good questions and worthy of response. So, um, she’s not here tonight, but if she’s listening or to the community, um, here, here are those questions.

00:18:33,530	And her first one was, how are we going to continue to serve needy families if we can’t get them, uh, where they’re getting services or getting our children to school? And we’ll continue to support Head Start programs in our community. Um, I did go out to the North Dakota Head Start Association.

00:18:52,100	There’s approximately 45 Head Start programs across the state. Um, and only two of those are actually operated by public schools. That’d be us in Grand Forks Public Schools. And, um, we were the only ones providing any bus transportation.

00:19:10,730	All the rest of those are done privately by the outside group that’s doing that many a time, many times that, um, those programs are operated by community organizations such as Community Action, which is across several communities. Um, human service centers or tribal governments are operating those, not the public school. And over the past year, we’ve done extensive work on our transportation system.

00:19:33,300	As many people know, um, historically, is all also provide transportation to certain students, which required diverting resources from our core K-12 transportation system. As I shared before, um, that was the primary reason for the challenge and that us considering the change.

00:19:56,400	But again, I believe we are the only entity, only public school that was providing any transportation service through four Head Start across the state. But again, the reason for that change this year was due to our, um, continued pressures of making sure we have a transportation system that’s serving our K-12 kids, and particularly our kids, on with special needs, because that’s what Bismarck takes care of. Bismarck Public School.

00:20:17,070	Um, one of the other things that she asked is, were there any surveys or focus groups conducted for the families? That and staff most affected by the change? Um, I would tell you, um, no.

00:20:33,530	Did I go out and ask for a focus group or do a survey of Head Start parents? No, we did not. And respectfully, I did that because when we thought about it, if there’s any group and you’re going to say, well, we’re going to take away transportation, um, completely. Do you support that? I would have expected none of the Head Start parents to say yes.

00:20:53,800	I mean, that’s just I try not to ask questions where I think I already know the answer, or I’m going to put parents in a box that they’re going to all respond, well, yes, we want transportation. I still have to make the hard decision that we had to make anyway.

00:21:11,070	Um, so that’s respectfully, um, I also think when we’ve met with and we met with Amanda Carlson, who’s, um, who runs our Head Start program, but also Valerie Bakken, who’s our coordinator and runs, is in charge of Bicep. Um, Miss Danica Nelson, who’s our student support services director. Um, as we talked about it and the continual pressures of transportation for special ed kids and, uh, Mrs.

00:21:34,530	Nelson had been working on that throughout the whole year as we’ve navigated that, it just became we have to make a choice. Which which services do we have to provide? Which services are optional. And then really, the hard decision of saying optional is optional.

00:21:50,700	We don’t we have to go to where we have to provide services first. So again, respectfully, for the parents, um, I try not to ask you questions or I know you’re all going to vote in favor, and I can’t make that choice. So, um, I do I really appreciate your question, though.

00:22:08,030	Um, our third question was, does the board plan to measure impact of the change? I would say yes. I think it’s my job to bring to you what our enrollment is. How many seats do we have filled in our head starts. Are we are we able to keep capacity where we’re at and what is funded? Um, yes.

00:22:23,930	I mean, if we find out that we have X number of seats unfilled because it’s becoming very difficult for families to get their children to the program, well, then we have to figure that out. But if we’re able to keep it at capacity, okay, it’s serving the community.

00:22:38,130	People are families are making a choice that this is still worth it and they’re getting their kids there. I think that’s a, a a data point. We should be monitoring. And I’ll bring back to you. And then are there any contingency plans I think are most passionate question was for families affected by this choice.

00:22:54,630	Even though we will not be providing busing in the traditional sense of what we have been providing, we have committed to be and Miss Bach and Miss Carlson, that we will. Um, we have a large fleet of vans at our disposal in the district. We use them. Almost all the schools have some access to the that van type transportation.

00:23:12,070	Um, we would divert some resources to be set so they have the ability to use a van as needed. That’s an easier to staff because any of us could go drive a van if we’re working for. Unlike a bus, which needs special licensing.

00:23:31,270	So if a family does have a unique circumstances causing transportation or getting to school to be a challenge, we will have some access to a van to help accommodate them on short term basis. So I think, um, we need to continue to communicate this with families. Really. We’ve had the decision early.

00:23:47,030	That’s why we rolled it out last, um, last meeting or two meetings ago. Um, to give people time and awareness. Um, where the decision was made any earlier. And I think we’re continuing to try to communicate with families now until through the summer as we get into the next school year, because, again, this won’t take effect until fall of 26. So just again, my response to her four questions.

00:24:08,170	Okay. Thank you, Doctor Foster. Um, item five on the agenda, academic achievement, science. Doctor Frost. And for that I’d bring up Doctor Johnson. I don’t know if this is going to be as interactive, but I’ll be willing to answer questions here.

00:24:39,130	Um, president Hager, members of the board, um, appreciate your opportunity to visit with you again this year about our science at results. Our two. Um, we find it making reasonable progress, and we’ve, uh, adjusted this a little bit. As you can see, there’s a lot of work that continues to go on.

00:24:56,930	As you can see, uh, regarding, um, mystery science at the elementary level, how we’re training our, our staff to be able to embrace and teach and have access to those curious minds, to be able to engage in that process at the secondary level, we have representatives from LDI, as well as guiding, uh, coalition teacher representatives.

00:25:15,930	We that come together and periodically continue to just circularly unpack our standards and be able to figure out what are the best activities, how do we really define what it means to be proficient, and how can we give that feedback? Um, those are grouped, um, in a like courses. And sometimes we have that across the district.

00:25:32,000	So it’s not just people within the buildings, but do we have that commonality of common expectations and standards from high school or middle school to middle school? Um, same with uh, opportunities for dual credit and where we can have better alignment within the feeder system from the middle

00:25:47,700	school to high school. Um, from that we continue to do some work about where we can learn from one another and be able to share that expertise of that inquiry based learning activities.

00:26:05,000	And how can we be able to share? And I know Nick and, uh, others led some of that session this past February. So there’s an opportunity for our own teachers to share. This is how I attack, um, a topic. And you saw an example to of how we can be able to help our young learners engage with that.

00:26:21,600	Um, throughout this time, we want to make sure that we continue to not only build off of the work that’s occurred with the guiding coalitions. And, um, the national Science Teacher Association, that work that’s gone on Marzano consultants have, um, Whitney Owens has really helped out those guiding coalitions.

00:26:41,930	But we now move forward and start to identify the standards and where we can provide feedback and start to analyze that data, where we can improve. Again, there’s been some alignment. I think you’ve heard some of this before, where they take the mystery science, which is more of the science curriculum at the elementary, and they’re aligning it with the wit and wisdom, which is much of our, uh, reading. And, um, being able to access early on literacy skills.

00:26:58,230	And we know that you have to be able to read and be able to think and communicate it that way so that you see that overlap. Um, so with the standards, again, we said they’re all in either proficient or the baseline for the first one, we, uh, found us to be making reasonable progress with the North Dakota

00:27:12,870	science. Um, assessment and in science area. And you can see doing very strong in comparison to the state above average there, as well as when we get into our subcategories. The only one that was kind of in that lower range there was, uh, the students with disabilities.

00:27:33,900	And but again, all the other subpopulations were, uh, meeting or exceeding um, the state average there. We put it for a baseline for the act. Again, we’ve shared this, but if your community is listening in right now, um, we’ve had a change from the act for all has been a required test to some are selecting.

00:27:50,070	So again, the data is going to look different. And we no longer have provided to us from the state the ability to do a comparison. So right now that 228 means that there were 228 last year, seniors who took the Act, and 57 of them met the minimum criteria for being proficient was 23 on the act.

00:28:09,470	And again, giving some frame of reference, Jeff and Doctor Austin and I were talking earlier today to what does that mean? Well, that’s actually a decently high standard. It’s about the 70th percentile. So again, being proficient, of course many people are above that.

00:28:24,700	But to be able to have 57% of your students, you know, when you think about nationally, um, competing with that, that we’re at that 70th percentile or above for science.

00:28:40,970	That’s a it’s something to take pause and be proud of the education that our science teachers are providing and building those K-12 skills, not just for when they finish with us. Lastly, um, we report on where students are at in terms of their attainment of our standards or a letter grade. So a 2.5 on standards based grading at the elementary or, uh, B or higher in the middle and high school.

00:28:58,000	And so you can see there we currently have it marked at a 70% target. Um, there’s some discussion too, about moving that across the board. As we shifted to the data being reported the last couple of years, probably looking at, uh, Mr.

00:29:13,730	Barnhart and I talked with Miss Seibel and, um, you know, really thinking that a recommendation for next year might be looking at math literacy and science to move that up to be like an 80th percentile as we now are starting to track our data being a little bit higher there. So set again goals. But that would be up to you.

00:29:27,970	I think with Doctor Frost, not at your summer retreat, to be able to discuss about what you’d like to see in that if there’s a change or not, but that would be our recommendation. Um, and with that, again, we’re we’re seeing some great growth and, and excited about the outcomes that our students are producing.

00:29:46,130	Again, due to good educators who care about science and their content area, but can make it engaging for the students that they meet, where they’re at every day in their classrooms. So I’m happy to just speak to that. And there are other people who would gladly fill in there. If you have questions too, I’m sure. Board members questions, comments. Okay. Seeing none. Thank you, Doctor Hudson. Appreciate it. Thank you.

00:30:11,170	I would entertain a motion, Mr. Lee. Uh, thank you, president Hager, to start with Doctor Johnson, I didn’t feel like you embraced the awkward quite enough. Um, so I expect better. You saw us. Hoping that Miss Peterson could prove that she was. Oh, well, touché. Good point.

00:30:34,670	Um, with respect to our two academic academic achievement, I, uh, move that the board accept the report as making reasonable progress. Second. We have a motion and a second. And for the discussion, seeing none. Doctor Lee. Yes. Peterson. Yes. Yes. Eastgate. Yes. Hager. Yes. Uh, down to item six.

00:30:59,270	So, board members A, B, and C are all generally related to the same item, but for, for, uh, purposes here we need we need to motion them separately. So Doctor Foss not we’ll start with a and maybe you want. To I was going to defer to mister or doctor share. Sorry Mr.. Doctor share. If you just give a quick explanation each one. Sure. So.

00:31:22,100	Um, thank you. president Hager. Members of the board. Doctor Foss, not so. Essentially what we. Have to do as an initial resolution. Sometimes these. Are separated. By. Time. but but sometimes they’re together. Um, it’s just kind of meeting the letter of the law. And then, and then it’s actually that we want to do it.

00:31:40,330	The second one is that we have to do a resolution to ask the question on the ballot. And then the third one is authorizing the school board to apply for the state school. State school construction load, which is for projects over 75 million, is allows us to borrow $20 million at 2% interest.

00:32:00,070	Um, that, of course, would be contingent on the vote of the people. Um, but those are the the three resolutions in front of the board tonight. Okay. Thank you. Doctor. Chair. Um, we’ll start with the first one. The initial resolution for general obligation, uh, school buildings bond.

00:32:17,170	I know board members. You guys have all had it had a chance in the lead up to to this to to comment on on the bonding itself. So with that, I guess if anybody else has any additional comments. Otherwise I’d entertain a motion. Mr. Eastgate. President Hager just a comment.

00:32:35,370	Um, so this is for an amount not to exceed, um, 127 million, which I think is an important distinction. It’s not necessarily 127 million, but it can’t exceed that.

00:32:55,270	The other point I want to make is this is, um, giving the community a chance to weigh in on their school system and, and to vote accordingly. Um, feel like we’re going to be able to educate people on exactly what they’re going to get, um, with this money, and then it’s going to put us, uh, 20 years ahead as far as our, uh, um, physical structures are concerned. And there’s a lot of great projects that are packed into this.

00:33:12,130	Um, so I feel really good that the voters are going to have a chance to, to to make the decision. Mr.. Eastgate. Yeah. Um, appreciate those comments. Board member Lee.

00:33:26,670	Uh, you know, I just want for anybody that’s tuning in tonight that maybe didn’t at the last board meeting and you mentioned but all five board members had a chance to give their opinion on this. Um, it’s my opinion that as board members, it’s our job to represent what’s best for kids, what’s best for our students, what’s best for their families. Um, and our educators. And ultimately, of course, that that makes up our community.

00:33:41,000	And so I just want somebody to tune in to this and see us to prove in a really big number and not know that we’ve already talked about that, that we’ve spent a lot of time working on this.

00:33:54,370	Um, and so tonight, as we go through these, as Doctor Sherry just pointed out, this is largely an administrative piece that we need to do to take the next step to keep moving, to make our our already very great school system even better. Um, so I just wanted to make sure that that was mentioned from all of us, you know, as well.

00:34:06,730	So, um, as we go through these, uh, President Hager, I won’t be needing to to comment necessarily on all of them, but I, I just wanted to make sure that it was very clear that we know this is a an amount that’s important to our district, and we don’t take it lightly. So but it’s, uh, it’s the important work that we do.

00:34:22,600	And with that, President Hager, I guess unless you were going to comment, I can. I was going to open it up and see if, uh, this Mrs. Peterson or Mr. Prescott wanted to, to say anything since we can’t see you.

00:34:39,330	President Hager, I’ll I’ll just echo those same sentiments, and I and I really like, um, that that we are taking it to the the people. I think that there is something in this bond for the majority of our school, um, buildings and, and there’s, there’s a lot to, to weigh into the different needs that are different schools have had.

00:35:01,070	And so I really want to just commend the, the staff, um, you know, doctor Foster, doctor share and their entire team for really I think being super transparent about what is sort of on the table within this bond.

00:35:18,430	And I encourage like as we continue to talk about what, uh, I know that what Doctor Foster, that’s going to kind of talk about just in a summary way, if anybody has any questions and really wants to like, dig into, um, I think that we have have really laid it all out there and a lot of the different materials.

00:35:34,770	And I appreciate not only the open communication that we’ve had with this board, but we’ve also taken it to the excellence committees that have had direct stakeholder engagement. And, um, and, and I think that, um, to your point, um, Mister Eastgate, is that I think, you know, there’s been a lot of conversations.

00:35:50,870	So people who think that we’re just bringing this up tonight and, and and voting this really large number without really having had a lot of opportunities to weigh in. Um, I think that that is that’s definitely not true. So excited to see what the what the voters decide.

00:36:06,730	And, um, to see the kind of interest area that there is for the different projects across the, across the great city and with, you know, and with that, I look forward to the motion. Miss. Thank you, President Hager and board members, thank you for your comments. Earlier. I, I couldn’t echo them. Um, better.

00:36:32,030	Um, I would just say like the projects are so vast with this proposal and would touch affect every student in our system at one point or another through their, um, going through elementary, middle school or high school. And again, just really appreciate all the work that has gone in by administration to put this plan together. It’s very thorough.

00:36:52,700	Um, it’s heavy and and we have given a lot of thought and, and contemplation as well. But essentially, there’s no way for us as a district with the funds that we have to work with every year to, to get something of this magnitude done. Um, or address the projects in a timely manner.

00:37:16,270	So, um, yes, we just depend on our voters to, um, to weigh in on this and, and let us know the direction that they want to see our great public school system go. So thank you. Thanks, Mr..

00:37:34,430	I guess my comments I would add to it is, you know, you look at what we’ve done, um, as a board, we’ve been very conservative. We’ve tried to be very good stewards with, with the public dollar. And this this right here with what we’re talking about, um, really does need to go to the voters. Um, when I, when I think about it, we we have gaps.

00:37:53,700	They’ve been identified within our district, across the district that need to be filled when it comes to some of those elementary schools with the ADHD, Ada things, um, and other things across the district, there are gaps. This this fills those gaps.

00:38:13,930	As I heard at one of the workshops, a comment made, it shouldn’t matter what neighborhood you live in, we should have a certain expectation across across all our buildings. And I think we do. And this would get those buildings to where where I think we as board members feel like they should be.

00:38:29,800	The one other thing I would highlight in here, beyond the other things in there, really impacted all the kids across our district is is the central kitchen. I think about that central kitchen and what that could mean across the district for healthier food options for the kids from that central kitchen. Then what? What also gets me and you guys know I’m a budget guy. The dollar and cents stuff, um, half $1 million in savings every year.

00:38:47,930	And I think that we are at a at a place with this potential bond that’s, that’s pretty unique, that as if the bond passes and as the dollars accumulate for this bond, we have debt on the back side that’s rolling off. That’s really going to help. Over the course of 78 years.

00:39:08,430	Bring that back down and level of back out to where it is. But it’s just this unique window that I think it’s it’s really important that we take this opportunity to take it to the voters. Um, so those are my comments. Mister, Mr.. Give it back to you. Sure thing. Thank you, President Hager.

00:39:26,930	Um, with that, um, I would motion that we approve the initial resolution for general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $127 million. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none. Doctor. Chair Peterson. Yes, yes. Eastgate. Yes. Lee. Yes. Hager. Yes.

00:39:58,000	Uh, b the resolution submitting the bond questions to the voters for the June 9th, 2026 primary election. Mr. Lee. President Hager I would move that. We approve the resolution, submitting the questions of approving the initial resolution for general obligation school building bonds to the voters of the district at the June 9th, 2026 primary election. Second.

00:40:18,100	We have a motion and a second, any discussion? Uh, seeing none. Doctor. Share. Presque. Yes. Eastgate. Yes. Lee. Yes. Peterson. Yes. Hager. Yes. Item C resolution authorizing application for state school construction loan. Mr. Eastgate. President Hager I would move that.

00:40:52,970	We approve the resolution authorizing submission of an application to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction for participation in the state school construction loan program. Second. Uh, motion. We have a motion a second any further discussion? Seeing none. Doctor. Share. Eastgate. Yes. Lee. Yes. Peterson. Yes. Yes. Hager. Yes. Brings us down to item D’s school visits. I think we’re kind of all wrapped up on that.

00:41:24,100	So we might be not wrapped up close. We got to keep it on there for a little longer. Okay? Okay. At least none tonight. None tonight. Okay. Uh, item seven is the consent agenda. What are the wishes of the board? Mr. Lee? President Hager, I move that we accept and approve the consent agenda. Second. Uh, doctor, Lee.

00:41:49,430	Yes. Peterson. Yes, Presque. Yes. Eastgate. Yes. Hager. Yes. Uh, down to item eight. Superintendent’s report. Doctor. Fossa. Um, first let me say it. All five of you. Thank you. Thanks for, um, one year leadership in regard to the the bond discussion, the referendum tonight.

00:42:17,900	But just thanks, um, for your leadership throughout because I want to make sure that reiterate what you said. I mean, this has been on the planning stage long before I got here. Much longer for you as board members.

00:42:34,870	You’ve discussed this for years, and the needs, and you’ve reviewed them and reviewed them again and talked about them, and how are we going to accomplish them. And it it takes a lot of leadership to do that takes courage to act. Um, and I appreciate that.

00:42:50,870	And I know it’s something you brought to my attention, even as you were hiring me, that that was something you felt the district had to get to and we had to consider and we had to plan for. And so I just want to articulate my thanks to you because it’s it’s a hard decision. So I appreciate that. I did want to share just some thoughts, um, to the general public, I was going to let you guys do your work on the resolutions, because I probably talked enough during that.

00:43:05,930	But now that it’s an action and, the next, uh, job is thrust in, in front of us as a team to help educate the community, I thought I’d just share some thoughts, which I prepared tonight. Um, just to begin, this formal process is, um, why this work matters.

00:43:25,900	Um, many of our buildings are aging and require significant reinvestment, as you kind of alluded to. Um, President Hager um, these needs include improving accessibility for students and community members with disabilities, addressing low standing or long standing infrastructure needs such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and improving our learning spaces so that students across the district have safe, supported and

00:43:47,070	functional environments in which to learn. Our goal is really simple ensure that every student has access to a learning environment that supports their success, and I will steal your words tonight.

00:44:10,930	I do truly believe that regardless of what neighborhood you live in, what neighborhood you decide to raise your children in, um, they deserve a reasonably similar experience as they go through Bismarck Public Schools. And I think, um, I was in an older building today. And again, was reinforced that by there were some gaps there. I was in a, I was in a restroom that I said, hmm, that would be hard for grandma in a wheelchair.

00:44:28,600	Actually, grandpa, because I was in the men’s room, uh, grandpa in a wheelchair to navigate. And that’s not right. It’s not just about our kids, um, getting through the school day, but it’s also about those guests. We have, those visitors we have in the school that you need to say, well, you can’t.

00:44:47,300	It’s really hard for me to think that. We say, well, you can’t make it up to your child’s classroom because that school doesn’t have an elevator. That’s just an answer I don’t think is appropriate for in 2026. So, um, my next point is why now the needs you’re addressing are not new.

00:45:02,900	As I’ve said just a few minutes ago, um, over the past several years, we’ve carefully studied our facilities through our long range facility plan and ongoing building assessments. Many of the systems are reaching the end of life and delaying improvements. I will just be honest with you. We’ve said this before.

00:45:22,930	I’ll say it’s the community, um, delaying improvements, delaying deferred maintenance never saves money. It will be more expensive. And we’ve seen that over the last few years as we’ve made decisions of when do we need to address this? Those costs have never declined. They continue to escalate and the needs don’t go away.

00:45:40,300	When a boiler needs replaced a VHS, which I tell you, it’s high on the list. It doesn’t just magically get replaced. We have to do it. So I think that’s why now, um, how we got here, as you’ve kind of our articulated, um, board member Eastgate is it’s years of work.

00:46:00,530	It’s years of work through our our committees, its years of work, our people putting these things together. Architects, community members, engineers, looking at our facilities, having conversations about what the priorities should be and just making sure that that plan that we’ve been talking about for months touches as many needs as possible across a very broad district, a very large

00:46:20,700	organization. Um, now that you have made the motions tonight, I will say for the sake of the general public, um, where to learn more. And the weeks ahead, the district will provide extensive information to our community.

00:46:40,400	Um, patrons will be able to review project details, school specific improvements, and tax impact information on the district website. We made that live this afternoon. Um, kind of thinking, if this is what you decide. We thought it was right that as soon as you make that vote, if someone’s watching for the first time, they should be able to go and find it right now, this very minute.

00:46:56,930	So, uh, Bismarck schools, dot 2026 bond. You will find, um, hopefully living up to, um, board member Peterson’s. Um, um, good comments that we are being as absolutely transparent and open with as much information as we can. We want to make sure that you see that, and we’re going to continue to put information on this website as people give us questions.

00:47:17,370	There’s already a pretty robust FAQ section, but as we hear questions that are not on there, our promise is to keep asking, answering questions and adding them to the website so people can be informed.

00:47:34,500	Um, I would also add that if you are a member of a community organization, a church group, a coffee clutch, uh, something that we’re a few gather. Um, please reach out to my office. Uh, we are presently scheduling opportunities for me and my team to go around the community and provide an informational presentation about it and address questions you may have before the June 9th election.

00:47:52,000	So if you would like to have one of us, um, spend some time with you, um, please reach out. The only thing limiting that is probably our schedules and the challenges of our schedule, is to get those worked in.

00:48:10,300	I know we have, uh, presently near 50, um, opportunities already that will be in front of groups, but if you are not aware that we are, please reach out and we will try to schedule you the best we can.

00:48:24,230	And I, as a board member, Lee mentioned, I think one of the powers of this is ultimately it’s a decision that belongs to the voters. This is a voter decision. Um, our role tonight, my role was to present it to you over the last few months. Your role was to take it the next step forward this evening. And now the decision is really in the voters hands. Learn more about what we’re proposing and then vote.

00:48:40,700	Vote on June 9th. And the decision will be yours. So, as you can see, our our kind of our theme for this and getting the word out is it’s it is one district. We are one district.

00:48:58,430	Uh, we try to take care of all the kids in that district and respectfully, thoughtfully, um, take care of them equally, no matter what neighborhood you’re in. It’s one comprehensive plan, and it is leading to one vote June 9th. So I would stand for any questions you may have. Board members questions? Nope. I’ve not seen any. Brings us down to the financial report. Doctor. Chair. Doctor. Thank you. President Hager, members of the board.

00:49:23,730	tonight on the financial report, I would. Just say generally. Uh, the district’s tracking positively. We’re we’re collecting more than we said we would, and we’re spending less than we said we would. Um, a couple caveats. I’m not going to point out things that we’ve already talked about. Um, in previous board meetings.

00:49:43,030	But the one interesting thing is what’s really nice about we do a, a year to date and then we do a two year look back. So it’s really nice to track, you know, how we’ve done in previous years.

00:50:00,100	And the one that I just would point out is on the revenue side, we continue to kind of build our analytics related around local with the, you know, last year with the 500 bucks and this year with the 1600 bucks. Uh, excuse me, I’m not sure we have that totally dialed in yet, but, um, that’s the only one that’s a little wonky because we get we’ve not received that yet from the state. The big chunk of money.

00:50:16,900	Um, so it might look like we’re trailing a little bit. I, I think that will will correct itself in the upcoming months, but, um, that’s the only thing that’s on page two in that, that table on the bottom where you can look back for the two years as far as on the expense side, the and page three with that same

00:50:34,100	table. It’s interesting. You look like some of them are tracking, um, expenditures up or down. But if you look general in total, um, I think that we’re tracking a little more positively, which means that we’re spending less than we even did last year.

00:50:53,070	Not not by much, but, um, but, uh, it is less so with that. I would. I don’t believe there’s any other, um, things that I feel I need to point out to the board. I would answer any questions on any particular line item or item on the financial report. Thank you. Doctor, chair, board members, any questions? Just for clarification, Doctor.

00:51:16,000	Sure. That’ll show up local, right. That lines the local line. Yeah. You said state but it’s. That’s correct. The money comes from the state but it’ll show up in local. Yep. Thank you. Seeing no questions all agenda items have been considered. I declare this