The South Washington County Schools Board on Wednesday approved the meeting agenda and routine consent items, adopted nine updated district policies and passed a resolution to place an assistant principal on an unrequested leave of absence (ULA), board records show.

A motion to approve the agenda carried unanimously (motion by Sharon Van Leer, second by Melinda Jewell). The board then approved the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote (motion by Eric Tessmer, second by Sharon Van Leer).

On action item 8.1, the board approved nine revised policies updated to reflect Minnesota statute and other cross references. The policies approved were: Policy 407 (Employee Right to Know), 504 (Student Dress and Appearance), 507 (Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint), 513 (Student Promotion, Retention and Program Design), 517 (Student Recruiting), 518 (DNR/DNI Orders), 521 (Student Disability Nondiscrimination), 529 (Staff Notification of Violent Behaviors by Student) and 532 (Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with Disabilities from School Grounds). Motion to approve was made by Sharon Van Leer and seconded by Simi Petnayak; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

On action item 8.2, administration presented a resolution proposing placement of an assistant principal on unrequested leave of absence, effective at the end of the current school year, and noting that the employee may request a hearing. Administration explained the ULA timeline is required to meet contractual notice obligations and to allow final action before the July 1, 2025 deadline. The board approved the resolution on a roll-call vote: Elise Hines (yes), Ryan Clark (yes), Sharon Van Leer (yes), Eric Tessmer (yes), Melinda Jewell (yes), Simi Petnayak (yes) and Katie Schwartz (yes). The board recorded the motion by Eric Tessmer and seconded by Sharon Van Leer.

Board members asked for clarification about recall rights and alternate employment options for the assistant principal. Executive Director Abby Baker said under the principals' contract a similar position that opens within three years would give recall rights; the employee would also be eligible to apply for teaching positions if a similar administrative position does not open within the recall period.

The resolutions and policy updates were adopted at the meeting; the assistant principal now has the opportunity to request a hearing under the district's ULA process before the board considers final action.