[{"_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",6505470,"mediaKeyId","5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275","parentId",5704376,"title","District staff report facilities progress and plan for likely bus replacement","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",2330000,"endMs",2386000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275&start=2330&end=2386","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275/thumbnail_2330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505470/Minnesota/District-staff-report-facilities-progress-and-plan-for-likely-bus-replacement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505470-3c347c0a57944a0445d27dbaeab91476/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878344&Signature=eLypeTkYWXKWcbd0VVWqSp~9N1I5bs3LLg-S9zwGgV7RVP4zPm~AEMWtduzwE1wE558Zzb9A3dxHwHMCv9jt1vEdNNF5uOP8hFarPpEKI3g~lxx-i6ue~sGk0obgk0mZROw1~qCX1MYKJa-Egs2H7DRnwBwCF~pJecQ70hEPH0vVmtRtPUfAyNvgmms78-lhususIkfD21UF8yVn2IpaEeneBoshIA4Qc9QCK6~xfiAVRmJogsKtK9hJR4L7hbyI~lwF9D884i~g9-6LG0p9TV1FzAEFv7o0VnZyc6VtNVAj8Bv3i3mJ9BVQoD6kGvwISdl0SlaXwae7A3TssvgmmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston Public Schools","date","2025-08-08T00:00:00Z","article","District administration updated the board on remodeling projects underway and told members the facilities committee expects to recommend a future bus purchase after a current vehicle likely will not pass DOT inspection.

Superintendent Mary and staff said work on building remodels and additional concrete projects are substantially complete for the summer and that the district has been evaluating fleet condition. The superintendent said the district has set aside funds for a bus purchase and staff are already shopping and gathering quotes; one bus is likely not to pass an upcoming Department of Transportation inspection, which would require replacement or extensive repairs.

Why it matters: bus fleet condition affects student transportation reliability and budget planning. Setting aside funds ahead of purchase should allow the district to plan procurement and minimize service disruption.

Board members were invited to tour recent remodeling work with Mary. The administration said it will bring any formal purchase requests or contract approvals to the full board rather than approving them at the facilities committee level.

The board asked staff to present costs and funding options for any bus purchase when the matter is ready for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-08-07 Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Facilities committee reported summer remodeling work and flagged a district bus likely to fail DOT inspection; staff have set aside funds and are researching replacement options.","taxTitle","HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",57483,"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},6505475,"Student council outlines expanded homecoming week events, seeks community participation",2129,107000,2236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275&start=107&end=2236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/6505475/Minnesota/Student-council-outlines-expanded-homecoming-week-events-seeks-community-participation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505475-508580075d82fd34e1cf37733de36098/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878344&Signature=PTbVZkr8qY~EoCL6sFmwTS2tmrvLXm3AxqL~VIZMD9AmIkY8atEJGG0UK-oXpUxCGeB699PVnTbPXlPBLZcE1CC~3ErnCB8rgeA0lgIVa2QhQFPm3kYn~2Tg8wjbLpQHbslJqyRn~i1jNQCQqBsla5FYWGfDZsnceocGS4aJi0O-OVhqeO-ixnMuj85zV-R4jEheOs~tTK0uKA2gKgx-OQa6jHK-9uauvotbuoMgXv0HFTY0Muo96kJ-ZBMkLberW513lVQGDW1AkkP2LD9G5xTbhNa7X8Skb4CdmZ6qfmYvgTsYd6ci1hzut-Xv3Dlsk0RUQN06jwdYZBDR3hL3VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A student council representative told the Houston Public School District board the high school plans several new and returning events for homecoming week and is seeking community participation and fundraising support.

The council said plans include a powder‑puff football game on Sunday, Sept. 28; homecoming court coordination on Monday; a teacher vs. senior dodgeball game on Tuesday; a football vs. volleyball event and Big Pink volleyball game on Wednesday and Thursday; class games, float decorating, a parade, pep rally and a bonfire later in the week; and a dance after Saturday's football game. The council also plans to sell homecoming week T‑shirts and other student‑council merchandise as fundraising.

“We're gonna have a powder puff like football game,” the student said, describing the Sept. 28 fundraiser and community‑invited events. Advisors identified in the discussion were Jessica Bankers and Nikki Olsen; the student said the advisers have been “amazing so far.”

Why it matters: the expanded schedule aims to increase community involvement in school events and to raise funds for student‑council activities and student services. The board discussed logistics such as locations for events, potential use of community grounds for a bonfire and parking and timing with officials for Saturday contests.

The student council asked the board for general support and said further details such as T‑shirt vendors and exact bonfire locations will be finalized in upcoming student council meetings. The board and staff offered to help identify donation opportunities and community partners.

The student presentation was included during the board's discussion items; no formal board action was required.","Student council representative described planned homecoming events from Sept. 28–Oct. 2, including a powder‑puff game, fundraising merchandise, new activities and community invitations.",{"_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},6505479,"Board delays vote on superintendent goals after members request more review",562,835000,1397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275&start=835&end=1397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275/thumbnail_835000.jpg","/articles/6505479/Minnesota/Board-delays-vote-on-superintendent-goals-after-members-request-more-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505479-9d2d88dcfd2fb593af373b92ab3203cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878344&Signature=nRi85glamu-9bfwDrur57xFj7-C2ADvB118ecixodWHsnvleuUH3B3I47tcWUoZQ50CvTtpRwO6s6j7QjNAtkxGB5d75AwJabAA3xft5ww07WtFruo86mHC2-s4LGSmRowNetc7enIYFvW2bwVLZrzkM1Y7DoXf~FbtXBkW5C19rNehj5JmpX93TgW3hMmjug1~L~LWEe52GFI7fEJH0pvEK0wMOHYoFKrHZDOkAgrdd78s9qQy~CT~Z1ie99ADIHiFLDf30g7lD1hg7ruAn0jsmkAC2CtSUpX9vbgVN-pBcNCIROo~uyJPY8SpkZQQT6w5M8-Go81CStOELQeL1BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members spent substantial meeting time discussing superintendent and board goals for the 2025–26 school year and decided to table final approval so absent members can review suggested changes.

Superintendent Mary reviewed four draft goals that include student engagement in career and community experiences, a districtwide athletics and activities culture plan, a multiplatform family and community communication plan, and increased student participation in career pathways and advanced coursework. Board members asked for clarity on whether some goals apply districtwide or only to brick‑and‑mortar students; Mary confirmed the community‑service and industry‑exploration goal applies to Houston in‑person students.

Board members raised several procedural questions: whether the district should add an explicit teacher‑focused goal, how baselines would be established for measuring progress, and whether the rubric used for rating progress should be goal‑specific or simplified. One board member circulated three additional goals sourced from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and urged the board to consider them; other members cautioned that adding too many priorities would dilute focus.

Why it matters: superintendent goals guide district priorities, staff evaluation and resource allocation. Members emphasized that clear baselines and a simple, measurable rubric are needed before formal adoption.

The board did not vote on the goals. Members recommended tabling the item until September to allow more board members to review newly circulated proposals and proposed rubric changes. The board asked administration to return with finalized baseline suggestions and a clearer rubric tied to each goal.

Board direction from the discussion included working at the building level to develop teacher‑impact measures, using back‑to‑school events to capture baseline family‑engagement data, and clarifying which programs and student groups are covered in each goal.

The board indicated it will revisit the goals at the next regular meeting or a specially scheduled workshop if needed.","Board members reviewed four proposed superintendent goals, debated rubric language and additional MSBA‑suggested goals, and agreed to table final approval until more members have reviewed the materials.",{"_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},6505483,"Houston Public School Board approves contracts, pay changes and routine items; tables superintendent goals for later review",39,1975000,2014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275&start=1975&end=2014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704376-90b3cfab7cf8c130cdba36d576ce4275/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6505483/Minnesota/Houston-Public-School-Board-approves-contracts-pay-changes-and-routine-items-tables-superintendent-goals-for-later-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505483-34b71750dfe977d7a60499f4c27eebf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878344&Signature=QheGj8GRODJ-Xu9GRvLRcJDsTbjCeT20AVf~1uPo6GdQKyEonHlxom3lkYqpFXQurl0rO1rPqosWDqmbNy042ijN0Au6bSCCm~W1aMREgUjTx0iVRLKz9acdwDuPBB9GmjvtZQ8qSU4UdVR0PNzivNXE-THYbIHEKr3rGHg1sWhMguvxEyXv1HmcueD1IlHWfwzKsvn-CtMU9Q78wKiIGJaLX06~7wYvZd-TO8~1vEcoYlEb9XYfwrzdfhzoi1bzI-~fAd186ucpDKbLNq5HQCFfTm8i8uayBVVY-USXenc656jAh-ZNoCu4-STMoN9GK-qXxvAV-sDsN-EZ0bm1rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston Public School District board on an evening vote approved a package of routine operational items, including a two‑year lawn‑mowing contract and increases in substitute pay, while tabling a decision on board and superintendent goals for further discussion.

Board members unanimously approved a two‑year renewal with the district's current lawn contractor and voted to hold adult lunch prices at $5 pending state guidance. The board also raised daily substitute pay to $150, accepted several community donations, and authorized renewal of membership in the Minnesota Rural Education Association.

Why it matters: the votes finalize near‑term operational details that affect district budgets and day‑to‑day operations — from grounds maintenance to staffing and meal revenues — while deferring a policy‑level decision on superintendent goals to allow fuller board review.

Among the items the board approved were: a two‑year contract for lawn mowing to keep the current contractor's guaranteed rates; a motion to maintain adult lunch prices at $5 until the state issues guidance; and a raise in substitute teacher pay to $150 per day to remain competitive with regional averages. The board also approved a donation resolution listing school supplies and a $100 gift for an after‑prom committee, and voted to renew the district's MREA membership.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): the two‑year lawn‑mowing contract passed by voice vote; the Truth and Taxation meeting date of Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. was placed on the calendar; handbooks were approved pending corrections; the site crisis plan passed on its second reading; adult lunch price was set at $5 pending state direction; substitute pay was increased to $150 per day; the donation resolution was accepted by roll call; and the district's MREA membership was renewed.

The board recorded no dissent on the motions taken in this section of the meeting. Discussion on superintendent and board goals, including proposed rubric changes and additional goals circulated by board members and by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), was moved to a future meeting to allow more members to review the proposals.

The board placed several facilities and calendar items on the record, including back‑to‑school dates and a note that district staff are monitoring a bus that may require replacement.

Board clerical and routine votes such as these typically do not change policy immediately but set contract terms and budget assumptions for the coming school year. The board indicated it will revisit the superintendent goals and rubric language at a later meeting when more members can participate.","The Houston Public School District board approved a two‑year lawn‑mowing contract, kept adult lunch prices at $5, raised substitute pay to $150 a day, accepted donations and renewed a rural schools membership; discussion of superintendent goals was tabled for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District staff report facilities progress and plan for likely bus replacement

Student council outlines expanded homecoming week events, seeks community participation

Board delays vote on superintendent goals after members request more review

Houston Public School Board approves contracts, pay changes and routine items; tables superintendent goals for later review