Wayzata board swears in members, elects officers and approves committee structure; compensation and handbook pass

The Wayzata Public Schools Board of Education completed its annual organizational business on Jan. 12, swearing in members and electing officers before approving committee assignments, a modest compensation increase and a first-edition board handbook.

Milan Sahoney was elected board chair after a contested ballot between Sahoney and Heidi Kader; the clerk read a tally reporting 4 votes for Sahoney and 3 for Kader. Sheila Prior was elected vice chair by acclamation. Heidi Kader won the treasurer race 4–3, and Dan Genestra was elected clerk with a 5–2 vote.

Board members then approved the agenda and consent items by roll call. The board reviewed and approved the committee structure for 2026, naming members and chairs for standing committees including facilities and long-range planning; finance and operations; human resources; policy and regulations review; community relations; superintendent evaluation; and teaching and learning. The board also confirmed appointments to external organizations such as the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and the Wayzata Education Fund.

On compensation, the board recommended and approved a 2.74% increase for 2026. The motion sets annual pay at $4,828 for board members and $5,650 for the chair, and maintains $50 compensation for special meetings held outside regular meeting days. Supporters said the adjustment helps keep service accessible and aligns with the district funding formula; opponents urged caution but were outvoted.

The board debated a proposed Wayzata Public Schools Board Handbook that administration presented as a first edition to be reviewed biannually. Several members raised concerns about missing acronyms, malfunctioning hyperlinks and the absence of statute references and date stamps. Administration committed to add acronyms and fix links; the board approved the handbook as presented with the understanding the listed edits and clarifications would be incorporated promptly. Several members recorded no votes on the motion.

All formal votes and actions taken at the meeting matched the roll-call and ballot counts read into the record by the clerk and are recorded in the official minutes.

The meeting adjourned after concluding organizational items and routine business.