Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 08/22/16

ACTION

OF

MEETING RECAP

I

Board Chair

Tom Heidemann

Vice Chair

Marci Anderson

THE

SCHOOL BOARD
ISSUE 14, VOL. 09

Treasurer
Bill Harvey

Clerk

Jeff Simon

I

Director

William Fields

08/22/16

Director

Nicole Hayes

Recognitions

CenterPoint Energy Customer of the Year

Chuck Holden, chief operations officer, and Steve Anderson, director of buildings and grounds, presented an
overview of the selection of Anoka-Hennepin as the CenterPoint Energy Customer of the Year for 2016. The
award recognizes energy conservation efforts and use of energy efficiency rebates by customers that promote
efficient use of natural gas in operations. Anderson estimated that Anoka-Hennepin reduced expenditures by
$158,000 in one year due to these efforts.

Minnesota Association of Pupil Transportation Award

Keith Paulson, director of transportation, and Jeff Mueller, transportation safety coordinator, presented Shannon Hulleman, who was named Minnesota’s special needs school bus paraeducator of the year. Mueller
highlighted Hulleman’s commitment to providing responsive, personalized service as indicators that led to the
recognition. Transportation secretary Traci Jackson was also recognized for her support. Anoka-Hennepin has
one of Minnesota’s largest and most complex student transportation networks. Bus paraeducators and crossing
guards work in tandem with drivers to ensure safety and service for thousands of students daily.

Communications, delegations and petitions

Michele Weitzel addressed the School Board regarding gaining access to school policies.

Finance

Board conversion of referendum

Michelle Vargas, director of finance, presented a resolution for consideration that was prepared as a strategy
to provide stability to the district’s financial situation. The School Board took action in alignment with authority provided by the 2013 legislature which allows conversion of up to $300 originally approved by voters to a
system that is approved by the School Board. With this action, Anoka-Hennepin converted a levy was originally
passed in 1999 and renewed in 2009 to fund operations at Rum River and Oxbow Creek elementary schools,
and Andover High School. The action converts $176.09 of authority for five years and removes the ability for this
amount to increase due to inflation over the term. The action is considered revenue neutral to taxpayers. After
considerable discussion the resolution was approved on a 4-2 vote with directors Jeff Simon and William Fields
voting no.

Set sale resolution OPEB refunding bonds 2016A

Michelle Vargas, director of finance, presented a resolution to offer refunding bonds to finance other post-retirement benefits (OPEB) for employees. Working with financial advisor Springsted, Vargas noted that the refunding could lower interest rates and save local taxpayers an estimated $1.9 million over the term. The resolution
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