[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6198090,"mediaKeyId","3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc","parentId",3849560,"title","Board enters executive session on negotiation strategy after narrowly failed motion to expand attendees","audioSeconds",548,"startMs",3418000,"endMs",3966000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc&start=3418&end=3966","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc/thumbnail_3418000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198090/North-Dakota/Board-enters-executive-session-on-negotiation-strategy-after-narrowly-failed-motion-to-expand-attendees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198090-8779fc35c7288a10aec4e2cb821ee122/orig.mp4?Expires=1770821424&Signature=k9hTfpcWZHz9iI8bxsoCpqt2MhpHJ1hc~Q~0QVObNF3~TnE7tQpeoAXnOG7k5a-cmGwfN0RlspGhDoOQglWBbIuazEFqrV1cBkCrva4GyHXr5PJfuorSvSzbrWpEgRghUlbRi1~k6uezi9c1esttRu3RAplRxbadXQbbJ9D7~dEjtfWcs0bg~uSLl6TFFWX7cXs3etffXbz5LhvAxX6I59gdkLbGjUXzf8XBse8dMiFT4VqW6Phug0~S1UYLZJ9Dtmc44jAZwsuu8dU60cYE5CDqG8O6X1vh7KOA0Rz15eeSkjbSP0mxPhkIGddPTAnXUIbh51FzWEXzsREENdX--Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jamestown School District","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Jamestown Public School Board moved into executive session on Monday, June 16, to discuss negotiation strategy and the budgetary impacts on bargaining, citing North Dakota law that allows closed sessions for collective-bargaining strategy.

Earlier in the meeting Board Member Dan Tweeden moved to permit Board Members Jacob Meyer and Aaron Roberts to attend a portion of the executive session limited to budget updates affecting negotiations; the motion was seconded by Board Member Owen McKenna but later failed to gain the unanimous vote required to lift their previously stated conflict of interest.

Following that vote, Board Member Dan Tweeden moved that the board enter an executive session focused on negotiation strategies and budget impacts. The motion identified the legal authority as Section 44-04-19.1 of the North Dakota Century Code and specified attendees and negotiators to be present: board members Jamie Baer, Melissa Gleason, Heidi Larson, Owen McKenna and Dan Tweeden, along with Superintendent Robert Lehi, staff member Adam Gaylor and business manager Christy Grounds. The board approved the motion by roll call and recessed into executive session at 6:33 p.m.

Board discussion during the open meeting emphasized that the executive session topic was narrowly limited to negotiation strategy and budget impacts and that any further participation exceptions would need to be handled through separate, specific motions because of conflict-of-interest rules and statutory requirements. The board planned to return to open session after the executive session to conclude the meeting.

The board identified the executive session would be recorded and referenced North Dakota Century Code Section 44-04-19.1 as the legal basis for closing the meeting to the public for matters of negotiation strategy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jamestown School Board Meeting June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a failed effort to allow two conflicted members to attend part of negotiations, the Jamestown board voted to enter executive session under North Dakota law to discuss negotiation strategy and budget impacts.","taxTitle","JAMESTOWN 1, School Districts, North Dakota","taxId",64520,"location","North Dakota","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},6198095,"Superintendent highlights community survey feedback and Blue Jay Academy graduation, board to review facilities questions",477,1796000,2273000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc&start=1796&end=2273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6198095/North-Dakota/Superintendent-highlights-community-survey-feedback-and-Blue-Jay-Academy-graduation-board-to-review-facilities-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198095-16884b237dabcb15f798a90d1f63f59c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770821424&Signature=AwB5xJMcGny~oUMwu8p6DqPtb2jxlhUhK-GB-zQRO8aGtNGTQEyLs~o4N6q2tigkB3wD5wT~8SFWWLzRdSDYTVUPAbKNxyA4vm07vp3PePw4AFZlkvgcx25OaQdaVpc5G2dFFvfs5tHnWhchCckbf9LZR2~zLcXTyNWKuA0jsW6oTdkMxTyrs3AmCbu7wMj6chALaJYDTN9Bs2BJHwhDVWBzmcb8tW8lbs0IfBKK8CbHyRg2sNLbYHct6QRIpAXfa01GGe0tpRt9RhxLtbXWiuwfFlD9S2nUC3tcd-AA57mdRPk5NKM5nCWSE1u3dJT8y6UkJpmMSIm-PPSO6q~taw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Robert Lehi told the Jamestown Public School Board on June 16 that disaggregated results from a community survey showed persistent concerns about property taxes, declining enrollment and an aversion to closing Louis L'Amour Elementary, and he recommended the Facilities Committee study the feedback further.

Lehi said about 631 participants provided survey responses and nearly 1,000 open-ended comments; the dominant themes were concerns about high property taxes, declining enrollment and a desire to maintain existing schools. \"Specific opposition to closing Louis L'Amour Elementary\" drew a notable volume of comments, he said, and many respondents found it difficult to see efficiency gains from a proposed closure option.

The superintendent noted some comments asked about alternative funding paths, such as a sales tax, but said such an option is no longer available under the North Dakota Century Code. \"I think there's a little bit of holdover in terms of why aren't we looking to different measures like sales tax? We saw that a lot of times in the comments,\" Lehi said while reminding the board that statutory limits constrain some funding avenues.

Lehi also presented a spotlight on Blue Jay Academy, a nontraditional program he praised for retention and outcomes. He said 52 students attended Blue Jay Academy this year, with a 90% retention rate; of those, 24 students reached senior status and all 24 achieved graduation. \"That is again very indicative of the great work that is happening in that program,\" Lehi said, and he recommended the board consider additional spotlights and recognitions to build community awareness of successful programs.

The Facilities Committee will conduct a deeper review of the survey and bring findings back to the board, Lehi said. No board action was taken at Monday's meeting on facility changes; the survey and committee review were presented as background for future discussions.","Superintendent Robert Lehi summarized a community survey showing concerns about property taxes, declining enrollment and opposition to closing Louis L'Amour Elementary, and spotlighted Blue Jay Academy's 90% retention and full graduation of seniors.",{"_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},6198099,"Jamestown HR reports 48 staff departures; district proposes 'stay' interviews to boost retention",517,1262000,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc&start=1262&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc/thumbnail_1262000.jpg","/articles/6198099/North-Dakota/Jamestown-HR-reports-48-staff-departures-district-proposes-stay-interviews-to-boost-retention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198099-967d7c61be7a3ea1ec5474ac0137b3cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770821424&Signature=BcszctMnYpcAGiWbT~gf-Lxlv-hNxfujDSLsfa2wF1yfpbGmKlMFhlzWIWoe99-ck09svTF8U8L4psZIkVv0U1nRrMQai4gAPYS7n5fzz93-CkP93-pUXE5gOGy5EYD8IMJWvpGDM6cl~dmqDlzy-8wa4ZHTCjORdZpjMJJ5ADu0l8BYrPfeIP97GgEDR0RdNJg-A~eCWxlk6bSzH6jeHDR3eQXpw04TtgUaFAQhA3TSIEWckpNm26~yQI75uIR817f6UtiivFtVV9zLoeu3uoIxZZndL8HsnptunLutWXvdOMH~~ST2Po3tUlfENvuSmtnfIPcSQ~l8PfAvxp1E4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jamestown Public Schools human resources staff told the school board on June 16 that 48 employees left the district during the 2024'25 cycle and outlined steps to improve retention, including launching \"stay\" interviews earlier in the year.

Stacy Jamkar, human resources, said the district recorded 48 departures since July 1, including 20 teachers and two administrators who retired. Jamkar said three of the teacher departures were retirements; the largest single reason reported was relocation, and 28% left for new employment.

The exit interviews, conducted online with follow-up conversations when possible, identified strengths employees cited: strong building-level leadership, supportive teams and a community-focused environment. Areas flagged for improvement included districtwide communications, workload and professional-development timing. \"The most common suggestions for areas that we can improve on are communication from district leadership... reducing workload and improving work life balance,\" Jamkar said.

Jamkar told the board she plans to introduce \"stay\" interviews: short, periodic face-to-face conversations with a sample of teachers and support staff to surface concerns before employees decide to leave. \"Instead of catching them after they leave, we can catch them as they're happening,\" she said. Board members expressed support for the idea and asked for more detailed breakdowns by employee category.

Board Member James (first name only in the record) asked whether HR could split reasons for departure by staff group; Jamkar said teachers reported relocation more often while support staff were more likely to switch jobs within the district or not respond to exit-survey outreach. Jamkar also said she obtained fewer exit interviews from support staff than from teachers.

The board did not vote on any policy changes at the meeting. Jamkar recommended continued monitoring and timely follow-up on survey feedback, and asked the board to consider more visible recognition and spotlights for staff to increase appreciation and morale.","Human resources presented summary exit-interview findings showing 48 departures this year, with relocation and new employment as leading causes; the district plans \"stay\" interviews and follow-up to address communication and workload concerns.",{"_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},6198104,"Jamestown school board approves 2025–26 curriculum purchases after debate over vetting and transparency",706,2349000,3055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc&start=2349&end=3055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3849560-4277c9e3ae1a1ae5cf94f6e2861c63bc/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","/articles/6198104/North-Dakota/Jamestown-school-board-approves-202526-curriculum-purchases-after-debate-over-vetting-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198104-d5d975982990f80a2ed273a769c12e06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770821424&Signature=PIO1z1oMlZhc9jZAYbpESnlAHsXtCjonTT4X7eB9tjpbrVqLMoiDE~s3sKO3Yv6gtzAMiMfYdhGOTkGEKNjnZrlSLD4HFf9iCoDe4KkXkiGhFIatq0ghw~dUzA667WsJdRGTz5JS7Fkn4lN3q~mvfA9zwHETOPvfr8TlydCjyecZ6fzoEY-2ycYeF65JLt-vtpk6W8~NNxxczU0AtjJ7YU2z-fU8ZOIy-JEvR7Fi1T3rK8EA9r22rqJ2hPb90a~RmNy30zMg5~eqBwFhzncF2jw2DPsc5WVUOshioPYjNOVdJXfZ5VOFwcMrAzVLRn2eDfQsdXNu9ahZsx1pD8-QLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jamestown Public School Board voted to approve the district's 2025–26 curriculum purchases on Monday, June 16, after an extended discussion about vetting, committee review and timing needed to issue purchase orders before the new fiscal year.

Board members said the vote matters because purchase orders must often be issued before July 1 to ensure instructional materials arrive by the start of school. Several board members said they were uncomfortable approving a broadly framed curriculum budget without more detail or committee vetting.

Board Member Aaron Roberts pressed staff on why the board was being asked to approve a separate curriculum budget before the district's general fund is finalized. \"By approving this, I have no idea what I'm approving, to be honest with you, in terms of a level of detail and vetting by the board,\" Roberts said during the meeting. Adam Gaylor, a district staff member participating in the discussion, said the separate approval has been a longstanding, procedural practice so purchase orders can be issued in time, and that the item includes recurring subscriptions as well as new selections.

Gaylor described a six-year curriculum cycle the district developed after surveying staff and reviewing state standards; the cycle identifies subject areas up for resource updates in each year. He told the board that some resources had not been replaced for nearly 20 years and that the district identified about $52,000 in recurring-cost savings by eliminating duplicate subscriptions and site licenses.

Board members asked for a clearer review process. \"If it was vetted out at a level of detail that would be appropriate for a committee, I would feel a lot more comfortable in approving it,\" Roberts said, urging that the Professional Development and Curriculum committee review future curriculum purchases earlier in the cycle. Superintendent Robert Lehi agreed the item could have been labeled more precisely and said the intent was approval of 2025–26 curriculum purchases rather than the entire district budget.

The board recorded a motion to approve the curriculum purchases: the motion was made by Board Member Dan Tweeden, seconded by Board Member Jamie Baer, and passed by roll call with all members voting in favor. Kristine (district staff) called roll; Owen McKenna, Jamie Baer, Heidi Larson, Jacob Meyer, Dan Tweeden, Aaron Roberts and Melissa Gleason registered yes votes. The board also recommended routing future purchases through the PD and curriculum committee earlier in the review cycle.

District staff said recurring items in the list include long-standing subscriptions such as DeltaMath and other instructional licenses that have built-in renewal costs, and that some departments elected to defer resource updates or to perform internal curriculum writing to reduce immediate costs. Staff noted that the timing to issue purchase orders before July is the main reason for bringing the item as a discrete approval now.

Board members asked staff to provide more transparency about specific purchases and to route selection recommendations through the PD and curriculum committee in September or October when possible. The board also noted the curriculum plan includes a mix of recurring subscription costs and occasional one-time textbook or license purchases that can affect the timing of orders.

The board approved the item and directed staff to present future curriculum purchase recommendations with clearer committee vetting and itemized detail earlier in the budget cycle.","The Jamestown Public School Board approved the district's 2025–26 curriculum spending plan on June 16 after board members pressed staff over committee review, timing for purchase orders and recurring subscription costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board enters executive session on negotiation strategy after narrowly failed motion to expand attendees

Superintendent highlights community survey feedback and Blue Jay Academy graduation, board to review facilities questions

Jamestown HR reports 48 staff departures; district proposes 'stay' interviews to boost retention

Jamestown school board approves 2025–26 curriculum purchases after debate over vetting and transparency