Board actions: consent agenda approved; preliminary levy certified; Truth‑in‑Taxation date set; boundary guidance and closed session approved

The Stillwater Area Public Schools Board of Education took several formal actions at its meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (Items A–H): Motion to approve by Director Hocker; second by Director Lauer. Vote: approved unanimously (voice vote). Notes: routine consent items approved as presented.

- Certification of preliminary proposed property tax levy (2025 payable 2026): Board certified the maximum proposed levy to the county and MDE as part of the levy calendar. Motion to certify the maximum was made by the board chair and seconded; outcome: certified (voice vote). Staff said this is a preliminary action and the levy can only be lowered after October 1; the board will adopt the final levy on December 16 and hold a Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing. Staff reported the overall levy change is projected at +0.64% and estimated net impact on a median residential homestead was a $59 decrease based on current projections.

- Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing date set: Motion to set the district Truth‑in‑Taxation meeting for December 2, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Oak Park Learning Center. Motion passed (voice vote).

- Resolution to engage a professional negotiator (process review and possible participation in upcoming negotiations): Motion by Chair Sherman; second by Director Hockert. Roll-call vote: six yes, one no. Outcome: approved 6–1. Notes: board directed staff to proceed with consultant engagement to review bargaining process and be available for bargaining support; staff will define scope and return with consultant deliverables and reporting schedule.

- Boundary-change Guiding Document: Motion to approve the guiding document for the boundary committee that will address southern‑district capacity (language updated to allow inclusion of Lake Elmo in addition to Anderson/Afton/Brookview). Motion passed (voice vote). Notes: meetings for the boundary committee will start the following week; staff said the committee should assume roughly 60 additional students at Bayport for planning.

- Motion to move into closed session (pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. 3(c)(3) — real property negotiations): Motion to close the meeting passed (voice vote); board moved into closed session.

Details and next steps

Staff noted the levy certification is preliminary and will be revisited before the board’s final levy adoption in December; staff will post levy materials to the district website. The resolution to engage a consultant includes tasks for Human Resources and timeline targets for consultant deliverables. The boundary committee will convene and bring recommendations back to the board for any boundary adjustments.