[{"_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",6570824,"mediaKeyId","5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1","parentId",5733447,"title","Votes at a glance: St. Francis Area Schools board actions, April 28, 2025","audioSeconds",1710,"startMs",1804000,"endMs",3514000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1&start=1804&end=3514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1/thumbnail_1804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570824/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-St-Francis-Area-Schools-board-actions-April-28-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570824-d7499a40f533f8bdd767a65aae5e6b0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098439&Signature=osDZb4LmAtqRaYs16-nFcROkgCO~hSRw0u-4v5fd2W7TEbJ~3LvFkWlQjNELrbdUyzp30PtwMaI7j~F78kUp~3t6oNLXP9hzdblCrNVr5H5ZUrtZYq9ikKzq1iXSFTmSOnZUbDI34U4qHxSlt-46o0l9EdOrvIc9qc2zrKqmfiFsQ4gkpJ-v-RMv1qLtgzelem27lJbLZ6WpzBbXxw3L1AuKAGzeGKdPYDFsOeNtXPxWTi2zBvq77DRnl6QvZ0hHdRW~4h1lJPZDhkaH6IeaKe1SFdrA1X3iRO-zLNEgaUdttegoe4EGfmEaaIwazCnokqPzkMt8Zl0cAqZTs68SwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Francis Area Schools","date","2025-04-29T12:47:49Z","article","The St. Francis Area Schools Board of Education took several formal actions on April 28, 2025. Below is a concise summary of motions, votes and outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of the April 28, 2025 meeting agenda
- Motion: Adopt the agenda for the 04/28/2025 meeting
- Mover: Anderson
- Second: Mister Working
- Vote: Passed, 7-0
- Transcript evidence: \"All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye and raising your hand. Aye. Motion passes. 7 to 0.\"

- Consent agenda (items 5.1'5.5)
- Motion: Approve consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.5
- Mover: Mister Orkin
- Second: Mister Humphrey
- Vote: Passed by roll call (7-0). Recorded ayes included Mister Wertheim, Mister Humphrey, Mister Schoninger, Miss Anderson, Miss Lattice and others.
- Transcript evidence: roll-call sequence beginning with \"Mister Wertheim? Aye...\"

- Approval of prime-vendor contract (agenda item 5.6)
- Motion: Approve prime-vendor contract (5.6)
- Mover: Miss Anderson
- Second: Mister Humphrey
- Vote: Passed, 7-0
- Transcript evidence: \"The motion on the floor is to approve, our 5.6 approval of prime vendor or contract... Motion is passed. 7 0.\"

- Approval of policies 5.19, 6.13, 6.2701 and 7.21
- Motion: Approve policies as recommended by the policy committee and administration
- Mover: Anderson
- Second: Mister Chopra
- Vote: Passed, 7-0
- Transcript evidence: \"Is there a call to motion for approval of policies...Is there a second? Mister Chopra, thank you...Aye. Motion prevails 7 0.\"

No other formal motions or roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript provided. Several items earlier in the agenda were presented as informational reports and first readings; the board indicated further review or policy-committee processing where necessary.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_04_28 SFAS School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the meeting agenda, the consent agenda items 5.1'5.5, a prime-vendor contract (5.6) and a group of policy updates. All recorded votes were unanimous 7-0.","taxTitle","St. Francis Area Schools, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",56938,"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},6570828,"District presents 2025-26 insurance renewals; health premiums fall slightly, dental rises",339,2587000,2926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1&start=2587&end=2926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1/thumbnail_2587000.jpg","/articles/6570828/Minnesota/District-presents-2025-26-insurance-renewals-health-premiums-fall-slightly-dental-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570828-b83c57b76cc08a141a1af1dadc6995a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098439&Signature=mUPT~erYH2uVwL6jWjZpIsGftK~QdlSNMqy09MJunU52ELtu5e6QEXD7Nja1WcAZidRpyyjVVByiJUCoz8D3KdxRFMQ8K8Co7QhaT8gtHcWmiNjQgsBj-tf5zmV~4YwTmZSzP3bWVNNdJOojeCKK7UsmWz0bjqKqLqtq5IfB3jcFrNLUr8ne8h~Q9NnEnVM0SUUJHYdehu8XnpypkRFUIWVNH6sPFsVrqy6jtNqCG5er7KuFed1hcPcWvHkEM4Gw7CcbEsugYiBYEhwGinJwxwrAGIiXzLghq6pgbm8GcBnkrdS4Tidtrzh3R3pUHczUJK7USgxQkXMNTryIIrG6QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff reported on the district's employee-insurance renewals for the 2025-26 plan year at the April 28 meeting. Brandon Anderson, who presented the insurance advisory committee's work, said the district recommends continuing with the Public Employees Insurance Program (PEIP) for health coverage after receiving a renewal that shows an overall decrease in premiums of about 2.6% to 3.56%.

Mr. Anderson said the dental plan, which the district operates on a self-insured basis, will need a rate increase of approximately 6.97% to 7.5% because of higher utilization and inflation in dental costs. The district will continue with Guardian for basic life insurance and long-term disability; those lines are in the second year of a three-year rate guarantee and will not increase next year.

Open enrollment for employees is scheduled for May 1 through May 15. Mr. Anderson said the insurance advisory committee includes representatives from each employee group and meets regularly to monitor program performance and reserves.

Board members asked whether self-insuring for health was considered; staff said the bids for self-insured options were not competitive compared with PEIP, which offered a rare overall decrease. Board members also asked about program satisfaction; Mr. Anderson said employees generally report being pleased but noted that navigating referrals and clinic tiers can be frustrating for some.

No formal board action was recorded on insurance rates at the meeting; the presentation was informational.

","St. Francis Area Schools officials reported the district's 2025-26 health-insurance renewal will show a roughly 2.6'3.6% decrease under the Public Employees Insurance Program; dental premiums are expected to rise about 6.97'7.5%. Open enrollment is scheduled for May 1'15.",{"_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},6570833,"Board approves prime-vendor food contract; members and community press for more fresh options",720,1840000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1&start=1840&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1/thumbnail_1840000.jpg","/articles/6570833/Minnesota/Board-approves-prime-vendor-food-contract-members-and-community-press-for-more-fresh-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570833-b633b995893fc05fa05253832e64ae63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098439&Signature=ffG1A23xJPKWNh23uwUozFWMCkHx9YV5jnkWM0JDe5kTvULXYPpDgH6EV9EdfS8LvK2E6T8Gqxjv04k3qvyIIvnKP6-lFSRk4kryz0JylKJ8UTanG4~Spad~2sDrQ-wQbU5UQAWdDFmvUnBkKRT7K4ABQkDngblSOFjLPrEVvxGSnPl101UQPXHyW13HjJknKtQaBydLCZLTXFGOvEkbcW8Ay-0c5di0Fl5FjEoOqXEXMpTeLLZL07GrwWl-x3DQtXoUrl0X1gZ63VRI~ILhcBbhi1OHffV-u5QMq0tjOeECkTxkJoDVVof1Lwyxj4KCHtUhNXJMylHzUqbMN-BL2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Francis Area Schools Board of Education approved a prime-vendor food contract (agenda item 5.6) by a 7-0 voice vote on April 28, after a discussion in which board members and community members urged the district to increase fresh-food options in school meals.

Board members debated the vendor list before the vote, questioning why most items on the vendor's list appeared to be processed rather than fresh. One board member said, \"I'd like to see more fresh foods available in our school lunches.\" Other board members and volunteers described classroom and post-lunch behavior concerns that they tied to highly processed options.

District staff clarified procurement channels during the discussion. A nutrition-services representative told the board the prime-vendor bid covers items the district cannot source through its Department of Defense (DOD) fresh-fruit-and-vegetable contract, which requires produce to be grown in the United States. The staff explanation said the DOD contract supplies a majority of the district's fresh produce; private vendors supply items not available through that contract, such as some fruits and specialty items. The district also uses separate dairy and commodity-processing contracts for milk and prepared items produced under USDA agreements.

The motion to approve the prime-vendor contract was moved by Miss Anderson and seconded by Mister Humphrey. The motion passed 7-0.

Several board members asked staff to document current fresh-produce sourcing and outline potential next steps to increase fresh offerings where feasible and financially viable. Board members suggested small, incremental changes and invited the nutrition-services director and administrators to report recommendations in future work sessions.

","The St. Francis Area Schools board approved a prime-vendor contract 7-0 on April 28. Board members and community speakers urged the district to expand fresh-food offerings; staff said the district already sources much fresh produce through a Department of Defense contract.",{"_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},6570838,"Residents, students press St. Francis Area Schools board over book removals as district cites active litigation",1329,388000,1717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1&start=388&end=1717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733447-c82441086633c3a7807b807abe66f6a1/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6570838/Minnesota/Residents-students-press-St-Francis-Area-Schools-board-over-book-removals-as-district-cites-active-litigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570838-773b08bd96ef469a6b8d7a7aea94c6f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098439&Signature=VNOYcKoenj7T24VTVFPw82memc2HOMsqd-eEQxVV6greBOVJPsPfVl9BrpK9HR3pzE954aw9Le7qXZRpUuCuBwssuNn-tsFzvO666ZhgCiZ1guptaaDx0JF9cBv-yk5QW3dolIl~Su0Lfk24u2etvWrcEhtA0otUzsiH9VB07K5Y4eJUn17YxPEGSWRj-JunISyfCisiaJe5suWPFNusIlQcqZbDnfqCFAhzrK8SW-gLtF6ixYDcCVaidU1ib98RMHASkSh-LeOaMfM3eBqvLDKj76TO58GXT5ljW0dO2-2nhVfrUXqwFzHA~MKeWF59EIad8dLj3vUcaGroiAvPVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Francis Area Schools board members heard nearly an hour of public comment on April 28 from students, parents and community members who urged the district to reverse or revise recent book removals and adopt a more inclusive review policy. A district representative told the room the district is involved in active litigation and cannot provide details on policies while legal proceedings continue.

The discourse centered on the effects of removing books from school shelves and the impacts on students. Izzy Bongert, a sophomore at Saint Francis High School, told the board: \"The policy removes books from our schools that enhances imagination.\" She told members many students rely on books to understand difficult topics and said those books help teenagers \"understand themselves better.\"

Community members described the issue as broader than single titles. Brian Bongert said the removals represented \"an issue of respect\" for students and parents and argued the policy \"takes away the power of the parents to make legitimate choices.\" Chris B., a resident who said books helped him through difficult periods in his life, said inclusive books can be a lifeline: \"Books kept me alive. Books provided me hope.\"

Several speakers urged the board to adopt a clear, transparent book-review process rather than ad hoc removals. Nikki Cruz Dot and others invited community involvement in conversations and suggested author events as ways to engage the public; one commenter referenced a recent production of Seussical the Musical as an example of literature'based community engagement.

The board opened the meeting with a prepared statement noting it would not comment on the status of policies because of ongoing litigation. That statement said only that \"attorneys have been in communication with the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, and settlement communication has occurred.\" Mike Starr, a former St. Francis school board member who addressed the board, said he had recently received paperwork indicating he is a defendant in litigation related to the policy.

No board action was taken during the public-comment period; the board reiterated that formal policy discussion will proceed through the policy committee and legal counsel. The board packet and upcoming work sessions list student-discipline, policy reviews and a policy committee process among future agenda items.

The comments reflect an ongoing and highly engaged public debate in St. Francis over book access and review procedures; the district said it will allow the legal process to continue before discussing policy specifics.

","At the April 28 St. Francis Area Schools board meeting, nine community speakers urged the board to restore or revise the district's book policy; the district said it cannot comment on policy specifics because of ongoing litigation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: St. Francis Area Schools board actions, April 28, 2025

District presents 2025-26 insurance renewals; health premiums fall slightly, dental rises

Board approves prime-vendor food contract; members and community press for more fresh options

Residents, students press St. Francis Area Schools board over book removals as district cites active litigation