School Board

Monthly Update

School Board Update - May 2025

The School Board is the governing body of the school district, responsible for developing policy to ensure the proper care, management and control of district affairs, and supporting the mission of educating our students to reach their full potential.

District voters elect School Board members at large who are United States citizens, at least 21 years of age, not registered as a convicted sex offender and live within the school district.

The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board’s role is to provide leadership and establish policy for the school district.

Per Policy 201, the School Board has responsibility for the care, management, and control over public schools in the school district.

The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board is made up of six people elected at large to four-year terms. School board elections are held in November.

The School Board is accountable to the State of Minnesota and the people of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. School Board members are also responsible for providing oversight for student achievement and to ensure that public resources are effectively and efficiently managed.

School Board Information

Boardbook - Agendas & Minutes

Opt In to Receive Boardbook Notifications School board agendas, minutes and meeting notifications are available via Boardbook. Community members may opt in to receive email notifications from Boardbook. To opt in, please click https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1516 and scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Subscribe" area. After successfully submitting an email address, there will be a confirmation email to indicate your notification preferences. Please note: the opt-in list is not maintained by ISD 748; inquiries should be directed to the contact information for Boardbook at the bottom of the webpage linked above.

Calendar - School Board

Calendar

Regular board meetings are generally scheduled on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and held in the Board Room at the District Service Center (see map on this page). During the months June, July and August meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.

School Board study sessions and work sessions are also typically held at the District Service Center. Occasionally, meeting times and places are adjusted for special purposes or because of time conflicts due to holidays, events or activities. Meeting times and locations are kept up to date on the website calendar. The public is invited to attend School Board meetings at any time.

Listening Sessions

Members of the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board may host periodic listening sessions that will cover a variety of topics, some of which will be community-driven. The intent of these sessions is to provide our communities with an opportunity to share perspectives and experiences on the given topic. The school board believes in transparency and we hope these sessions will provide this to the community.

Meeting Recordings and Live Streaming

Public Forum Request Form

The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board values the opportunity to hear from community members regarding issues that are important to them.

A public forum is scheduled during each regular School Board meeting for opportunities to listen to community input. In order to address the School Board at Public Forum, speakers must submit the Public Forum Speaker Request Form by 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday prior to the meeting.

Click here to complete the Public Forum Speaker Request Form.

General Guidelines and Expectations for Public Speakers

Public Forum is an opportunity for members of the school district to address the School Board. During this portion of the meeting the School Board and administration will listen to comments; however, the School Board will not deliberate, discuss or engage in conversation with speakers during Public Forum. While comments and questions are welcome, law prohibits the School Board from discussing concerns about individual employees or students in a public meeting. The School Board will stop the proceedings immediately if employee or student privacy issues are raised and direct the speaker to forward comments regarding individual employees or students to the Superintendent.
In order to complete School Board meetings in a timely fashion, the open forum will be limited to a total of not more than 30 minutes and 10 individual speakers. Each individual speaker will be allotted up to 3 minutes.
Public Forum is intended for members of the school district to address the School Board. Public Forum requests from speakers outside the school district may be declined.
In the interest of maintaining a respectful and welcoming Public Forum all speakers are expected to demonstrate professionalism and deliver their remarks in a respectful manner. Vulgarity, personal attacks, malice or specific complaints identifying staff or students by name or implication will not be permitted. Failure to comply with open forum expectations and guidelines may result in an individual’s privilege to speak being revoked.
Members of the school district who wish to address the School Board at the upcoming regular School Board meeting must submit the Request to Speak at the ISD 748 Board Meeting Form to speak by 12:00 pm (noon) the Friday before the meeting.
The Superintendent or a member of the School Board may contact you after your request is submitted.

Thank you for your interest in speaking during public forum.

Board Policy 206 provides more detail about the public’s right to an opportunity to be heard and to have concerns considered and evaluated by the school board, within the limits of the law.

Please click this graphic or the link above to complete the request form.

Questions & Answers (Q&A)

Is the School Board where I should begin to share issues?

Who serves on the School Board?

When and where does the School Board meet?

Regular School Board meetings are generally scheduled on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. During the months June, July and August meetings begin at 5:30 p.m.

All meetings are held in the Board Room at the District Service Center, 212 3rd Ave. N. Sartell. School Board Study and Work Sessions are also typically held at the District Service Center.

Occasionally, meeting times and places are adjusted for special purposes or because of time conflicts due to holidays, events or activities.

What is the School Board’s role?

The School Board’s role is to provide leadership and establish policy for the school district. The School Board sets the district goals and allocates resources to meet its objectives. The School Board is accountable to the State of Minnesota and the people of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.

School Board members are also responsible for providing oversight to make sure that students are achieving at high levels and that public resources are being effectively and efficiently managed.

What takes place at a School Board meeting?

A typical School Board meeting agenda includes: Call to Order, approval of agenda, consent agenda (routine business items including minutes, donations and resignations), open forum (citizen input opportunity), board and administrative reports, personnel (including employment, staffing, leaves and compensation), action and discussion items (for information or that may require action), and policy issues.

Where may I see the agenda for the School Board meetings?

Are School Board meetings open to the public?

Does the School Board offer an opportunity for public comment?

Yes. There is an open forum scheduled during each board meeting for opportunities to listen to community input. Please click here to request to participate in the public forum at the ISD 748 School Board Meeting.

Board Policy 206 provides more detail about the public’s right to an opportunity to be heard and to have concerns considered and evaluated by the school board, within the limits of the law.

How is policy developed and reviewed?

A School Board committee meets continually with the Superintendent and other administrators to update, develop and review policy as recommended by the administration.

Policy is approved after two 'review and comment' opportunities by the entire School Board at regular meetings. If a policy is to be reviewed at a School Board meeting, it is included on the agenda in advance of the meeting.

Where may I access School Board policies?

Staff Organizational Chart

Strategic Plan

Mission

Vision

Strategic Directions

The Strategic Directions are defined as categories of action that leadership believes are important to the pursuit of the District mission. These Strategic Directions are meant to be categories for the next several years. The superintendent will develop an annual District Operating Plan (DOP) that will consist of specific goals aligned with each of the strategic directions.

Healthy and Supportive Environment
Foster a welcoming student experience where everyone feels valued, engaged, and respected for who they are, and support each student so that they are equipped to learn and grow in their own unique way.

Student Achievement and Growth
Challenge each student through instruction, curriculum, and supportive programs in order to help them excel in their learning experience and provide equitable opportunities for each student to develop the skills necessary to be successful for college, career, and beyond.

School and Family Partnerships
Strengthen and expand school and family partnerships to provide the best learning experience for each student.

High Quality Instruction
Provide rigorous curriculum with innovative instruction, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Stewardship of Resources
Utilize our time, talent, and resources to best serve the district, and seek community partnerships to accelerate student and staff growth.

Effective Communication
Develop creative strategies to ensure clear and effective communication with all stakeholders both internally and within the community in ways that engage, inform, promote, and celebrate.

We believe...

All students deserve access to a challenging and well-rounded education that provides opportunities for learning and growth through inspiring instruction, hands-on experiences, and a broad offering of co-curricular activities.
Students learn best through a Whole Child Approach to learning and thrive in an environment where they feel healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.
A student’s attitude toward learning is a significant determinant to their success and can be improved when they understand the purpose for learning, are engaged in the process, and are encouraged to discover and explore their unique interests and abilities on their journey to becoming a lifelong learner.
All students are responsible for their own behavior.
Having high expectations for students to become critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, collaborative learners and effective communicators who are college and career ready will prepare them to thrive as citizens in a global society.
All students and staff deserve a welcoming and productive learning environment where everyone is valued and respected, and the daily student experience is optimized.
We must nurture a culture where diversity is appreciated and celebrated and the value of each person's experiences and opinions is recognized.
It is our duty to remove barriers to success and to provide each learner with what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.
All students need adults who will inspire, encourage and guide them toward lifelong learning.
We must recruit exceptional educators from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives and provide them with outstanding opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
It is the responsibility of district leadership to model a commitment to excellence through effective governance and administration.
We are better together and everyone benefits when students, families, educators, and the community partner together to share in the responsibility for learning.

One-Page Handout

Policies and Procedures

100 SCHOOL DISTRICT

200 SCHOOL BOARD

201 Legal Status of the School Board

202 School Board Officers

203 Operation of the School Board - Governing Rules

203.1 School Board Procedures - Rules of Order

203.2 Order of the Regular School Board Meeting

203.5 School Board Meeting Agenda

203.6 Consent Agendas

204 School Board Meeting Minutes

205 Open Meetings and Closed Meetings

206 Public Participation in School Board Meetings/Complaints about Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy Considerations

207 Public Hearings

208 Development, Adoption and Implementation of Policies

209 Code of Ethics

210 Conflict of Interest - School Board Members

211 Criminal or Civil Action Against School District, School Board Member, Employee, or Student

212 School Board Member Development

2 13 School Board Committees

214 Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members

215 Student Representative on the School Board

215.1 Procedure: Student Representative on the School Board

300 ADMINISTRATION

400 EMPLOYEES/PERSONNEL

401 Equal Employment Opportunity

402 Disability Nondiscrimination Policy

403 Discipline, Suspension and Dismissal of School District Employees

404 Employment Background Checks

405 Veteran’s Preference; Hiring

406 Public and Private Personnel Data

406.1 Form: Public and Private Personnel Data

407 Employee Right to Know – Exposure to Hazardous Substances

410 Family and Medical Leave Policy

412 Expense Reimbursement

413 Harassment and Violence

413.1 Form: Harassment and Violence

414 Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse

414.1 Form: Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse

415 Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults

416 Drugs, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing

416.1 Attachments to Drugs, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing

417 Chemical Use/Abuse

418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School

419 Tobacco-Free Environment

420 Students and Employees with Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases and Certain Other Communicable Diseases and Infectious Conditions

422 Policies Incorporated by Reference

423 Employee-Student Relationships

424 License Status

425 Staff Development

427 Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers

430 Student Teacher and Teacher Intern Supervision

457 Respectful and Professional Workplace

499 Teacher Code of Ethics

500 STUDENTS

501 School Weapons Policy

502 Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions and Student’s Person

503 Student Attendance

504 Student Dress and Appearance

505 Distribution of Non-School Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees

506 Student Discipline

506.1 Form: Student Discipline

507 Corporal Punishment

508 Extended School Year for Certain Students with Individualized Education Programs

509 Enrollment of Nonresident Students

509.1 Procedure: Enrollment of Nonresident Students

510 School Activities

510.1 Addition/Elimination of Activities

511 Student Fundraising

511.1 Procedure: Student Fundraising

511.2 Form: Student Fundraising

512 School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities

513 Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design, Acceleration and Early Entrance

513.1 Procedure: Process for Early Admission to Kindergarten

513.2 Procedure: For Retention

514 Bullying Prohibition Policy

515 Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records

515.1 Form: Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records

515.2 Administrative Procedure for Student Search

516 Student Medication

516.5 Overdose Medication

518 DNR-DNI Orders

519 Interviews of Student by Outside Agencies

520 Student Surveys

520.1 Form: Student Surveys

521 Student Disability Nondiscrimination

522 Student Sex Nondiscrimination

522.1 Form: Student Sex Nondiscrimination

523 Policies Incorporated by Reference

524 Internet Acceptable Use

525 Violence Prevention

526 Hazing Prohibition

527 Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections and Searches

527.1 Form: Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections and Searches

529 Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students

529.1 Form: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students

530 Immunization Requirements

531 The Pledge of Allegiance

532 Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEPs from School Grounds

533 Wellness Policy

534 School Meal Policy

535 Service Animals

535.1 Form: Service Animals

540 Food Allergy Policy

541 Athletic Acceleration

600 EDUCATION PROGRAMS

601 School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals

602 Organization of School Calendar and School Day

603 Curriculum Development

604 Instructional Curriculum

605 Alternative Programs

606 Textbooks and Instructional Materials

606.1 Library Materials

607 Organization of Grade Levels

608 Provision of Special Education and Related Services

609 Religion

610 Field Trips

611 Home Schooling

612 Parental Involvement in Education, Chapter I LEA Programs

613 Graduation Requirements

614 School District Testing Plan and Procedure

615 Basic Standards Testing, Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEP, Section 504 Accommodation and LEP Students

616 School District System Accountability

618 Assessment of Standard Achievement and Performance Package Adoption Panels

619 Staff Development for Standards

620 College Level Courses/Grade Weighting Policy

621 Literacy and the Read Act

625 Class Size/Pupil-Staff Ratio Policy

630 Video Media Use

630.1 Procedure: Video Media Use

700 NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES

701 Establishment and Adoption of School District Budget

701.1 Modification of School District Budget

702 Accounting

703 Annual Audit

704 Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System

705 Investments

706 Acceptance of Gifts

707 Transportation of Public School Students

708 Transportation of Nonpublic School Students

709 Student Transportation Safety Policy

709.1 Procedure: Student Transportation Safety Policy

710 Extracurricular Transportation

711 Video Recording on School Buses

712 Video Surveillance Other Than on Buses

713 Student Activity Accounting

714 Fund Balances

722 Public Data Requests

722.1 Form: Public Data Requests

800 BUILDINGS AND SITES

900 SCHOOL DISTRICT – COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Elections

Calendar

RSS Feeds

June 16, 2025

School Board Regular Meeting

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

DSC - Boardroom

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