Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 09/28/15 | Page 2

Schmitz, Samantha Smith, Gina Wilson, and Peyton Zak. Team managers are Anne Micklin
and Liz Kurti. Zimmer and Elliot were named to the all-state team, and Elliot also gained
recognition on the state tournament all-tournament team.

Communications, delegations and petitions

The School Board did not receive any communications, delegations and petitions.

Finance

Budget reductions update

Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, provided the School Board with an update of the
budget reduction planning process for the 2016-17 school year. Vargas identified a projected
$7.8 million budget deficit that needs to be addressed, and outlined a timeline and process
for decision-making.
Vargas noted that a committee has been formed to bring forward a prioritized list for
School Board consideration in November. The School Board would be expected to approve
a list of potential reductions at its December meeting, which would be shared at public
hearings in January. Public testimony from these sessions would be considered as part of
the final approval of reductions. School Board action on reductions is set for the Jan. 25,
2016 meeting, a decision that allows for adequate planning time regarding staff allocations
for the following school year.

Preliminary tax certification for taxes payable in 2016

Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, reviewed the timeline for certifying property taxes
and recommended approval of a preliminary levy totaling $92,069,075, an increase of only
.2 percent from the previous year. This action, which was approved by the School Board,
sets the initial tax rates used by the county as they prepare and mail proposed property tax
statements to property owners in November.
The board also set a public hearing on the proposed levy on Monday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m., in
the boardroom at the Sandburg Education Center.

Community Education
Legislative platform

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board believes in a proactive and unified approach to communicating district legislative priorities to state representatives. Steve Kerr, executive
director of community and government relations, presented four focus points for the 2016
legislative session.
The legislative platform advocates for additional funding to reduce the Special Education
cross subsidy gap by providi ng additional revenue for the mandated programs. Other
focus points included providing improved equity for school districts, direct tax relief for
property owners, and a one percent increase in the basic funding formula. The board will
also advocate for a permanent solution for funding received through a compensatory revenue grant program that has been subject to legislative approval for more than two decades.

Elementary and secondary education
Mental health status report

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ACTION

Dr. Jinger Gustafson, associate superintendent for middle schools, and Dr. Nita Kumar,
mental health consultant, presented the annual report and status update regarding mental health recommendations to support students. Gustafson aligned the work done in the
mental health area to the district’s strategic direction. She noted the role of the parent and
the ability to partner with them as important to increasing student success while ensuring a
caring, highly trained staff working effectively within the resources available.