Votes from the district’s minutes.
Superintendent Dr. Eric Melbye reported that classes begin before Labor Day this year. Sixth and ninth graders start Monday, Aug. 31, and all other grades join them Tuesday, Sept. 1. He also reported that more than 1,300 backpacks of school supplies donated by community partners were handed out at the Bloomington Learning Link Up, and that the district's back-to-school celebration at Kennedy High School introduced the year's theme, 'Unite, Inspire, Rise.'
Without opposition, the board approved its Part A consent items in a single vote. The package included Policy 503.1 (School Attendance Areas), Policy 506 (Student Discipline) and Policy 806 (District Crisis Management), along with personnel actions and field trips. It also covered agreements with the Every Meal food program, Project SEARCH, BIG Ice, Imagine Learning by Edgenuity and TalkingPoints, plus receipts and disbursements. None of the items was discussed.
Decided: The board approved its routine consent items in a single vote.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by unanimous consent
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved new 2026-27 wage schedules for athletic event workers with no opposition. Executive Director of Human Resources Mary Burroughs said these workers are not covered by any bargaining unit and had not received an increase since 2024-25. The raise brings them in line with other employee groups that did get increases in those years. The positions are paid from the athletic directors' budgets.
Decided: The board approved new 2026-27 pay schedules for athletic event workers.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board raised the daily rate for reserve (substitute) teachers, effective Sept. 1, 2026. The new rates are $225 for the first 40 days, $230 after 40 accumulated days and $240 for Bloomington retirees, and the $15 Friday incentive continues. Mary Burroughs said the last increase came in 2022-23, when the rate went from $160 to $200. She said teacher absences rose 15% last year and that daily substitute costs grew from about $850,000 in fiscal 2025 to about $1.09 million in fiscal 2026, driven partly by teacher training and new state leave laws. The measure passed with no opposition; Vice Chair Mia Olson, who works as a reserve teacher, abstained.
Decided: The board raised substitute teacher pay to $225 a day for the first 40 days, $230 a day after that and $240 a day for Bloomington retirees, starting Sept. 1, 2026, and kept the $15 bonus for working Fridays.
Result: Approved, 6 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved a contract with Community Mediation & Restorative Services, Inc. to provide restorative-practice support at Kennedy High School from Aug. 30, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Executive Director of Learning and Teaching Andy Kubas said Kennedy staff have already been trained by the Minnesota Department of Education in mediation and circle work. He described the contract as a next-level follow-up to that training, focused on conflict resolution with students. There was no opposition.
Decided: The board approved a contract with Community Mediation & Restorative Services for restorative-practice support at Kennedy High School.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved a 10-year lease of the Pond school building to Intermediate School District 917 for special education programming. Many of the students served there are expected to be from Bloomington. Rod Zivkovich, executive director of finance and support services, said 917 will pay all remodeling costs, though those cost figures are still being finalized. The district's own architect and construction manager will oversee the remodel, and a construction management resolution is expected at the next meeting. Board members confirmed that the Pond clinic will remain in the building, which 917 cited as a plus. The lease passed with no opposition.
Decided: The board approved a 10-year lease of the Pond School building to Intermediate School District 917.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved 2026-27 meal price increases with no opposition. The adult breakfast rises from $2.50 to $2.55, and adult lunch rises from $5.05 to $5.30. Rod Zivkovich said the state now pays for student meals, so the increase applies only to adult meals and students' second meals. He said the prices follow a federal calculation and reflect inflation in food costs.
Decided: The board raised the adult breakfast price from $2.50 to $2.55 and the adult lunch price from $5.05 to $5.20 for the 2026-27 school year.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved a resolution for the Minnesota School Boards Association's December delegate assembly. The resolution asks the association to advocate for modernizing state school safety laws. Those areas include drill requirements, behavioral threat assessment, anonymous reporting, mental health supports and information sharing between schools and law enforcement. Superintendent Melbye said the goal is to move away from traumatizing lockdown drills toward the district's standard response protocol and to secure stable mental health funding. Director Heather Starks, who chairs the legislative committee, said other districts have already signaled support. The resolution passed with no opposition.
Decided: The board approved a resolution asking the state school boards association to push for updated Minnesota school safety laws.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
In separate votes with no opposition, the board approved its own 2026-27 goals and the superintendent's goals, both drafted at its summer retreat. Superintendent Melbye said his goals align with the district's five strategic plan areas. Those are future-ready instruction, inclusive environment, quality workforce, family partnerships and equitable resources. The goals will be posted on the district website in a new format that links to evidence of progress.
Decided: The board approved its own 2026-27 goals and, in a separate vote, the superintendent's 2026-27 goals.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
The board approved a new three-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Eric Melbye, running July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030, with no opposition. Clerk Matt Dymoke, who negotiated the terms with Director Ted Moore, said the contract sets a base salary with 2% annual increases. It also covers duties, leave and termination terms. Melbye is starting his sixth year with the district. Chair Tom Bennett and Dymoke are authorized to sign the contract.
Decided: The board approved a new three-year superintendent contract running July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0
The meeting video doesn't make clear how each member voted. The city posts official voting results once the minutes are approved.
