[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6279714,"mediaKeyId","2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230","parentId",2620281,"title","Board approves agenda, consent items, student‑cellphone policy and employee health plan at March 10 meeting","audioSeconds",6210,"startMs",60000,"endMs",6270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230&start=60&end=6270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230/thumbnail_60000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279714/Minnesota/Board-approves-agenda-consent-items-studentcellphone-policy-and-employee-health-plan-at-March-10-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279714-67073020eca6afb43406658aefcde775/orig.mp4?Expires=1770755869&Signature=LEy~y6WfztC58qP5GwRFRfSo1paQ~FQk4u~mMZE95khwGx89bWGMTJLyjuscui2ssY9Mt~fT5qgVfS-KjLWt~a~iT4KWbhoePyzannQC0VdXZqK6a0oDAcrJYVcVPufo~-T2KyH2cDs~C4e6mwzI8jNoB4W7TUonLeACDpX3aynGO5rog3UB4~6njQzyl4LJoQpfb76mEYF2Q0GnZlxZtC7iw1aq9XkuaB7ijS0SgviAWb3p6C~WJ-NgFWCT9WWtBcAN~ayzZJevqxF17HL79khR-H1X17DcVshCkWQyI1yICVseqeosp9CGhKO4vkHuvvpYjh3lJO6vG0jwRrjtWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rosemount-apple Valley-eagan ","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The District 196 school board took several formal actions at its March 10 meeting, including approval of the meeting agenda, a multi‑item consent agenda, adoption of an updated student cell phone policy (Policy 503), and approval of employee group health plan changes.

Agenda and consent items

The board first approved the meeting agenda by motion. The chair recorded the vote: \"Motion by Anna, second by Jackie. All those in favor of approval, say aye... Motion carries on a 7 0 vote,\" as stated in the meeting transcript.

Later the board approved a consent agenda that included 22 items. The listed consent items included minutes from prior meetings, quarterly gifts and advertising revenue reports, grants, treasury reports and investment schedules, personnel matters, a joint powers agreement with Dakota County for emergency response funds, roof rehabilitation and flooring replacement projects, a designation of county right of access for Rosemount Middle, retired iPad/laptop sale requests, requests for bids, and agreements for Eastview High School activity center addition and a mass notification system, among others. The transcript records the motion and the chair's announcement that \"Motion carries on 8, 7, 0 vote\" after the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Policy 503 (student cell phones) — second reading and adoption

General Counsel Jill Coyle presented proposed changes to Policy 503 (Student Rights and Responsibilities), with an emphasis on the new Section 7 addressing student possession and use of cell phones. Coyle said the revisions reflect a 2024 Minnesota law requiring districts to adopt a student cell phone policy and generally codify the district's existing protocols: phones off and away during the instructional day, with exceptions (for high school students during lunch and passing time, for teacher‑authorized instructional use, and for disability accommodations with administrator approval). The policy also includes an absolute prohibition on cell phone use in bathrooms and locker rooms and a direction for schools to set building‑level rules consistent with the policy.

The board voted to adopt the policy on second reading. The transcript shows the motion carried: \"Motion carries on a six‑zero vote.\" The updated policy language is incorporated into the district's rules and staff noted future legislative changes at the state level would prompt any needed revisions.

Employee group health plan

Shelly Munson, director of human resources, presented an exhibit on the district's employee group health plan. Munson said the district has operated a self‑funded health plan with HealthPartners since 2012 and has experienced recent double‑digit premium increases. The district's insurance committee recommended and the administration requested approval to implement premium changes for plan year starting July 1: a 15% premium rate increase for the district's deductible plan and an 18% rate increase for the co‑pay plan (the committee recommended moving toward a single plan in a future year). The board approved the exhibit; the transcript records the motion carried on a 6 0 vote.

Other formal motions

The board approved the consent agenda and other routine motions during the meeting as recorded in the meeting transcript. The board also approved adjournment by motion; the transcript records the final vote as \"Motion carries on a 6 0 vote.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rosemount-apple Valley-eagan Regular School Board Meeting March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 10 meeting the District 196 school board approved the meeting agenda, a consent agenda of routine items, adopted revisions to Policy 503 (student cell phone use) on second reading, and approved an employee group health plan exhibit with premium increases. Vote tallies and motions are recorded as stated in the meeting transcript.","taxTitle","Rosemount-apple Valley-eagan, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",13555,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279719,"Human resources outlines recruitment push: job fairs, Grow‑Your‑Own, Handshake outreach",1041,4528000,5569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230&start=4528&end=5569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230/thumbnail_4528000.jpg","/articles/6279719/Minnesota/Human-resources-outlines-recruitment-push-job-fairs-GrowYourOwn-Handshake-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279719-a72d5618085919717c1a506c466947f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770755869&Signature=Fdrou1zbSC4B9MglbUJOmB7Hq53SrqTrxlCGpoqJn5O~E3Wnqs8UhFFRkQgxnFkQP8bS78vhNl8NJUAbe3hs70rZkl64~gD6yBzzFwbogpPZxswCFdmMxAvvBIxnJwJTgYf-Uco-vRtI2jXgAr9FOfNdQ66o0~u90Mi9Of3Jr77Yxvngl5usVf8C~59su2APXRbFdeLK4F8m9vRxzVgtbYsDWc6gnFXZwKa48NbQYEwYuCu4ZD~JyZwpclvaoA52WpCNkpyewpz5j4-kDgljo7jjI2pNR8eDYNp7~vnXDhncqTCy9N0bbdxsFvD45h4gOYuErSMTSDYPJAT5M6GpBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelly Munson, District 196 director of human resources, briefed the board on March 10 about recruitment, hiring and retention strategies as the district prepares staffing for the 2025–26 school year.

Munson said District 196 employs roughly 4,300 staff overall, including about 2,300 teachers and about 705 paraprofessionals. She described recent outreach experiments the district has used to recruit support staff: an in‑person August job fair (about 126 attendees), a paraprofessional job fair in the fall, printed and digital outreach, and targeted community events. The district also provided interpreting services and on‑site application assistance at fairs to lower barriers for applicants.

Munson highlighted two internal pipelines for building staff capacity: the Grow Your Own program (supporting employees to earn bachelor’s degrees with cohort partnerships with local universities; 22 participants noted) and a Work‑and‑Learn pathway with the University of St. Thomas that permits paraprofessionals who already have bachelor’s degrees to pursue a Master’s and licensure while continuing to work (12 enrolled; 14 completers reported historically).

She said the district is recruiting earlier for next year, intentionally posting many special education positions early because about 40% of current postings are for special education roles. Munson also discussed new use of Handshake (a university job platform) to reach more candidates, including historically Black colleges and universities, and noted communications staff produced recruitment videos to share candidate stories.

Board members asked about capacity and retention; Munson said most positions are filled for the current school year but midyear special education openings remain the most difficult to cover. She described plans to expand onboarding, in‑person induction and exit interviews to collect retention data and to standardize hiring best practices. Board members and Munson discussed stay interviews and confirmed special education leadership has used those conversations to gather actionable feedback.

The presentation was informational; no action was required.","District 196's human resources director described recruitment and retention efforts on March 10, including job fairs, targeted paraprofessional outreach, Grow Your Own and Work‑and‑Learn pathways, and new Handshake campaigns to increase applicant pools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279724,"District 196 outlines PBIS rollout; MDE cohort training and data tracking emphasized",576,3153000,3729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230&start=3153&end=3729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230/thumbnail_3153000.jpg","/articles/6279724/Minnesota/District-196-outlines-PBIS-rollout-MDE-cohort-training-and-data-tracking-emphasized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279724-e4a6ffc95046d14f94e242854bc9c316/orig.mp4?Expires=1770755869&Signature=a8LDL7I0kfP1OA1wOBiUuvQxewKKSbutOOD7kXmYfEDcm~0Ff~ampszxCm22FiyG7O6c1~BmxnkO3R2wU4iAI6JoWi-Qz0ZbtfzrYNxeqbIA0wgokAwiGSoSGB7ohTmUzeWN-3Q-XVOPmcpPE1U1aUTY0suiE6K7B~UE200ggPsFVIPGvoaAx-WR6kY6P69mJUEIPK~ij0TTzQrEyAaGlm4TaEjYVibebQRxv9FX6f6lbIa5JIft3TIhdYJsTyCx73On68dHgOiPBwBybvSsp1nT-sHtA968SpMfHzf7-cW-CZDwkGnEoTiQCqHlwWSUxIx8f4F1oMc9y8nbvCOWAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 196 staff described progress and plans for implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at a March 10 school board meeting, emphasizing a multi‑year training model, data collection and culturally responsive practices.

Rachel Hughes, Director of Instruction and Achievement, and Stephanie Ochocchi, student support coordinator, outlined PBIS as a prevention‑focused framework endorsed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to improve school climate, attendance, behavior and academic outcomes. \"PBIS is not a packaged curriculum... It is a prevention oriented way for our schools to build a positive culture by organizing evidence based practices,\" Ochocchi said.

Staff described the MDE cohort model: schools apply and staff survey results are used to gauge readiness; buildings with 80% or higher staff interest are accepted into a cohort and then participate in nine in‑service days over two years with ongoing coaching and booster trainings. PBIS teams meet monthly to review behavior data and implement action plans based on the district's \"Big 5\" incident tracking: what, where, when, who and frequency.

The presentation included school examples and a short video featuring Falcon Ridge Middle School and Thomas Lake Elementary. Staff and students discussed explicit teaching of behavioral expectations, consistency across settings (classroom, hallway, cafeteria), and approaches to reteaching and repairing relationships after incidents. Implementation measures include fidelity checks and a PBIS self‑assessment survey for staff and students.

Board members asked how PBIS aligns with other district initiatives and whether schools that do not initially apply could be brought into the process; staff said capacity and timing are considerations and that an implementation plan will continue to expand cohorts until all district schools have had access to MDE training.

The presentation was informational; the board did not vote.","District staff presented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) rollout, describing Minnesota Department of Education cohort training, 80% staff buy‑in for cohort acceptance, data metrics (\"Big 5\"), and school examples including Thomas Lake Elementary and Falcon Ridge Middle School.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279729,"District 196 presents computer science pathway update; MDE grant expands programming",389,2810000,3199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230&start=2810&end=3199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230/thumbnail_2810000.jpg","/articles/6279729/Minnesota/District-196-presents-computer-science-pathway-update-MDE-grant-expands-programming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279729-fc19cdeb376e4ecab6d673b234b9a22a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770755869&Signature=B1-KlnyNVDNVvrJNnY5831-e~3VfyKGRyWLMCPmxjbgdylwi90OcaCeVkbdXWUVVAGEiHIExMvY-Lwnvn2cPrGB-N9c1PRheeNiOaUZkmgsVEz73TkMORerCG1g1GF20smai5UBnVg9tDbZhCB5IK5RqHGqZMMC7mnA49vvZge3YTuRd7b~A6V4KjiouGN6BEVEUhwGxKKZVgBixF7wDg-FQ2tqZctZQhU-RZOY9r89xF0oL4bzSytUO79kzYfAosadIe9aTpV21ENzvSOW6lXcokap~I7o-x3aoaUts6ksDf5cw1imAauFV5DjJcTTh6HpJl-cUqjAysPTGDrhwiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paul Olsen, coordinator in the instruction and achievement department, told the District 196 school board on March 10 that the district is pursuing increased access and alignment for computer science instruction across grade levels.

\"This report is for information only and no action is needed,\" Olsen said at the start of his presentation. Olsen summarized statewide and local data: survey data from 2019 initially showed roughly 24% of Minnesota high schools offered foundational computer science courses; more recent figures presented in the meeting put Minnesota at about 36% offering those courses, an increase the presenter said moved the state into a higher national ranking.

Olsen said District 196 already offers a range of computer science pathways for students, from \"intro to computers\" at the elementary level to AP Computer Science and career‑aligned options such as networking, cybersecurity, and software and game design at the high school level. The presentation named specific course pathways and described work to update middle‑school computer labs and to provide equipment to support foundational computer science skills.

The district has received a Minnesota Department of Education grant to expand computer programming offerings. Olsen said the grant supported professional learning for staff and equipment updates; staff will partner with MDE on strategic planning and district assessment to identify strengths and needs and to develop a vision for computer science in District 196.

Board members asked about timing for MDE work; Olsen said the planning had started this year and will continue through the school year with initial data expected by late spring and a more comprehensive report next year.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take action.","District 196 staff reported on computer science course offerings, recent growth in Minnesota high school access, and a Minnesota Department of Education grant that will expand programming and equipment in District 196.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279734,"Students ask District 196 board to back lowering school‑election voting age to 16",1333,1418000,2751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230&start=1418&end=2751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2620281-25dc6fdcb2fc39441cffa8639917b230/thumbnail_1418000.jpg","/articles/6279734/Minnesota/Students-ask-District-196-board-to-back-lowering-schoolelection-voting-age-to-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279734-6543ca0aee5706d2ee0f7b5395e3482e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770755869&Signature=ooBq5SjxYP3ShrQn9Hj2SdZ-PdEjFAQxlSEhYZOexf~0nADp14bgPj7mKrV5X-fNIJ9agwwy7-ZzjOg6EEV-qh-okoMabsoFumLRaneq8qYLweyrH34znimZEXb9ZR1g1LRnGyfC-ipO-wqcz4YyFPCbkwE4xOGG6qJdZwW2uTY6cdOgI8fEyaZpgJHVz2kmq8sdYuODSfptlzTjJ1PrAE5yIeo17Wp79D3Yfdg26XmvxqzUNSAaWBsvWppdo3FgJGjNHN-Qhq507VNBdN7vkfjh5~P4Yz5EFbzw8PW4sT44fSYxx8kUmMVl9LAxYc2sWws12t6UltycMPDK1XFeXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Six students representing multiple District 196 high schools asked the school board on March 10 to adopt a resolution of support for bills that would allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in school board elections.

At the start of the public comment period, Kyle Chen, a sophomore (Eagan High School), said he and 27 students and four teachers had come to ask the board to adopt the resolution and handed the board a policy memo. \"Today at 4, at 04:42PM, I joined 25,000 people across the state to apply to pre register to vote,\" Chen said, adding that the students had submitted materials the board had at its desks.

The group asked the board to endorse language tied to bills the speakers cited. Speakers used several bill identifiers in their remarks; examples mentioned in the comments included \"House File 1557,\" \"House File 2003,\" and a senate file referenced as \"SF 1557,\" as used by speakers during their remarks.

Prania DeFru, a sophomore at Eastview High School, told the board that school officials make decisions about budgets, curriculum and safety that directly affect students and said those affected should have a vote. \"When we're allowed to vote in school board elections, we can engage in the policies that this school system pursues and have a say in the education that we receive,\" DeFru said.

Other student speakers echoed those points. Ahan Patel (Rosemount High School) argued the change could increase political engagement over time; Masood Hirsi (Apple Valley High School) said 16‑year‑olds already hold many responsibilities and should have a voice; Max Winn (Eagan High School) pointed to recent local school board actions as examples of decisions students could have influenced; and Gaya Shree Badri (Eastview High School) called the amendment a choice for local boards, not a mandate.

Speakers referenced research during their remarks. Several cited the concept of \"cold cognition\" and cited studies and institutions (one speaker referenced Columbia University) to argue that reasoning skills relevant to voting are typically developed by mid‑adolescence. Students also cited international examples — Austria was mentioned — where younger voting ages have been used to increase civic participation.

Board chairperson Johnson and the board noted the public comment rules: special-communications time is for board listening rather than immediate response. Chairperson Johnson said the board would not respond during the meeting but encouraged students to use the board's listening sessions and offered to speak after the meeting. Several board members commended the students for attending and presenting.

The students asked the board and superintendent for follow‑up dialogue; Kyle Chen said the group hoped for further two‑way conversations with the superintendent and board.

The board did not take action on the request during the March 10 meeting; the comments were recorded in the public‑comment period and will be part of the meeting record.","Six high school students spoke at the March 10 District 196 school board meeting urging the board to adopt a resolution of support for pending bills that would permit 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in school board elections. Speakers cited research and examples from other countries and asked for continued dialogue with district leaders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves agenda, consent items, student‑cellphone policy and employee health plan at March 10 meeting

Human resources outlines recruitment push: job fairs, Grow‑Your‑Own, Handshake outreach

District 196 outlines PBIS rollout; MDE cohort training and data tracking emphasized

District 196 presents computer science pathway update; MDE grant expands programming

Students ask District 196 board to back lowering school‑election voting age to 16