School Board Handbook

Most districts are “independent school districts”, but MPS is a “special school district” under MN law (MPS is formally, “Special School District Number 1”)--additional applicable statutes apply. 

• Special districts as now organized shall continue to operate under the special legislation and charter provisions governing them until conversion to independent districts. The provisions of law relating to independent districts shall apply to and govern each special district unless the special laws and charter provisions governing the special district provide for the matter, in which case the special laws and charter provisions relating to the special district shall apply and control. Sections 205A.01 to 205A.11 control and supersede inconsistent provisions of special laws or charters in the administration of school district elections in special districts.

Applicable Special Statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/128D

• Delegated authority from the state for the care, management, and control of school district within applicable laws and regulations:

  • • MN Statute 123B.02, subd. 1: The board must have the general charge of the business of the district, the school houses, and of the interests of the schools thereof. The board's authority to govern, manage, and control the district; to carry out its duties and responsibilities; and to conduct the business of the district includes implied powers in addition to any specific powers granted by the legislature.

• Authority only by majority rule in a properly noticed meeting

• Individual members, other than when specifically granted in state law or district policy, do not have individual authority

• • Setting vision and mission, establishing values and priorities

  • Strategic planning, goals, and accountability for student and system outcomes

  • Hire, direct, and evaluate a superintendent to manage the day-to-day operations of the district

  • Make policy

  • Approve and monitor the budget, levy taxes as allowed

  • Collective bargaining with employee groups

  • Community and constituent engagement

• Attend school board meetings.

• Come to the meetings prepared for discussion of the agenda items.

• Listen to the opinions and views of others (including, but not limited to, other school board members, administration, staff, students, and community members).

• Vote my conscience after informed discussion, unless I abstain because a conflict of interest exists.

• Support the decision of the school board, even if my position concerning the issue was different.

• Recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and appreciate their work.

• Be primarily motivated by a desire to provide the best possible education for the students of my school district.

• Inform myself about the proper duties and functions of a school board member.

• Focus on education policy as much as possible.

• Remember my responsibility is to set policy – not to implement policy.

• Consider myself a trustee of public education and do my best to protect, conserve, and advance its progress.

• Recognize that my responsibility, exercised through the actions of the school board as a whole, is to see that the schools are properly run – not to run them myself.

• Work through the superintendent – not over or around the superintendent.

• Delegate the implementation of school board decisions to the superintendent.

• Respect the rights of others to have and express opinions.

• Recognize that authority rests with the school board in legal session – not with the individual members of the school board except as authorized by law.

• Make no disparaging remarks, in or out of school board meetings, about other members of the school board or their opinions.

• Keep an open mind about how I will vote on any proposition until the board has met and fully discussed the issue.

• Make decisions by voting in school board meetings after all sides of debatable questions have been presented.

• Insist that committees be appointed to serve only in an advisory capacity to the school board.

• Attempt to appraise and plan for both the present and future educational needs of the school district and community.

• Attempt to obtain adequate financial support for the school district’s programs.

• Insist that business transactions of the school district be ethical and open.

• Strive to uphold my responsibilities and accountability to the taxpayers in my school district.

• Communicating actively with the community and interpreting the needs and attitudes of the community, to the best of their ability.

• Hold the superintendent responsible for the administration of the school district.

• Give the superintendent authority commensurate with their responsibilities.

• Assure that the school district will be administered by the best professional personnel available.

• Consider the recommendation of the superintendent in hiring all employees.

• Participate in school board action after considering the recommendation of the superintendent and only after the superintendent has furnished adequate information supporting the recommendation.

• Insist the superintendent keep the school board adequately informed at all times.

• Offer the superintendent counsel and advice.

• Recognize the status of the superintendent as the chief executive officer and a non-voting, ex officio member of the school board.

• Refer all complaints to the proper administrative officer or insist that they be presented in writing to the whole school board for proper referral according to the chain of command.

• Present any personal criticisms of employees to the superintendent.

• Provide support for the superintendent and employees of the school district so they may perform their proper functions on a professional level

• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws relating to my work as a school board member.

• Comply with all school district policies as adopted by the school board.

• Abide by all rules and regulations as promulgated by the Minnesota Department of Education and other state and federal agencies with jurisdiction over school districts.

• Recognize that school district business may be legally transacted only in an open meeting of the school board.

• Avoid conflicts of interest and refrain from using my school board position for personal gain.

• Take no private action that will compromise the school board or administration.

• Guard the confidentiality of information that is protected under applicable law.

• • • Position is held for the benefit of the public 

    • Shall not engage in any business, transaction or have a financial or personal interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties in the public interest or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. 

    • District resources are public and can’t be used for private purposes or to support political candidates

    • No special treatment based on position

    • Cannot use private, non-public, or proprietary data obtained as board member during or after service

All questions and potential conflicts of interest should be processed with General Counsel.

• Minn. Stat. §122A.40, Subd. 3 (Employment; Contracts; Termination: Hiring, Dismissing)

• Minn. Stat. §123B.195 (Board Members’ Right to Employment)

• Minn. Stat. §471.87 (Public Officers, Interest in Contract; Penalty)

• Minn. Stat. §471.88 (Exceptions)

• Minn. Stat. §471.89 (Contract, When Void)

• The powers and duties of the Superintendent of Schools shall be both to execute directives of the board and to initiate and implement matters within the position’s purview. The Superintendent shall inform the Board of initiatory acts that materially affect the business of the district.

• The Superintendent is directly accountable to the Board of Education. The Superintendent is responsible for implementing Board policies and executing the Board’s stated goals and mission and establishing such regulations and rules as are needed to make the policies of the Board effective.

• The Superintendent’s contract shall be used to formalize the employment relationship with the Board and specifically identify and clarify all conditions of employment with the Superintendent.

• The Superintendent shall decide administrative matters not specifically covered by policies and carry out all administrative duties in management of the schools not required by law to be exercised directly by the Board.

• The Superintendent shall act both as a professional advisor to the Board in formation of policies for the governance of the schools and as the executive officer of the Board.

  • • • The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall prepare and present data and information to support the establishment of policies by the Board.

      • The Superintendent shall provide data and supporting materials that enable the Board to consider and approve plans and programs for the district that are the purview of the Board.

• As an ex officio member of the Board the Superintendent:

  • • • must be notified of all Board meetings;

      • shall attend or provide a deputy to attend the meetings of the Board except when the Superintendent’s performance, position, salary or tenure are under consideration.

      • shall have the right to speak at Board meetings on all matters before the Board

• All powers and duties delegated to the Superintendent are to be executed in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board.

• The Superintendent shall prepare and submit to the Board an annual budget.

• The Superintendent shall sign documents on behalf of the Board when specifically authorized or directed to do so.

• The Superintendent may delegate to other administrative or supervisory officers the performance of the powers and duties which the Board has entrusted to him or her, but in every instance he or she shall continue to be responsible to the Board for the proper execution of those powers and duties

• The Superintendent shall be in charge of the administration, coordination and supervision of the entire school system including both academic and business administration.

• The Superintendent shall provide leadership and guidance for the establishment, maintenance and continuous improvement of a program of education best suited to meet the needs of the students enrolled in the schools and District goals.

• The Superintendent shall annually evaluate each school principal or site administrator assigned responsibility for supervising a school building or program within the district consistent with the requirements of law.

• The Superintendent shall visit and supervise the schools in the district, and report and make recommendations about their condition when the Superintendent deems advisable or when requested by the Board. The Superintendent shall ensure that schools comply with safety requirements under Federal and State laws.

• The Superintendent shall approve and direct expenditures in accordance with the approved budget, and recommend transfers in budget accounts when appropriate.

• The Superintendent shall make, or cause to be made, all reports required by Federal Or State law.

• The Superintendent shall recommend to the Board matters relating to employees or prospective employees, including but not limited to:

  • • appointments,

    • dismissals.

• The Superintendent shall serve as the medium through which employees responsible to the Superintendent may officially communicate with the Board of Education on school business.

• The Superintendent shall make determinations of student residency.

• The Superintendent shall monitor and recommend school grading practices and examinations for promotions and assessment.

• The Superintendent shall make recommendations to the Board for expulsions or exemptions from compulsory instruction.

• The Superintendent shall determine whether unaccredited nonpublic schools, home schools or other institutions where students are receiving instruction are in compliance with compulsory instruction laws.

• The board expanded to 9 seats after passage of 2008 referendum

• 3 seats are at-large (citywide) and 6 seats are from geographic districts (same as Minneapolis Park Board districts)

• Terms are four years

• Seats are staggered by two years:

  • • Districts 1, 3, 5 (currently east half of city) and two at-large seats on ballot in gubernatorial election years (i.e., 2022, 2026)

    • Districts 2, 4, 6 (currently west half of city) and one at-large seat on ballot in presidential election years (i.e., 2024, 2028)

• Election districts do not correlate to school attendance boundaries

• Election districts ensure geographic representation on the board, they do not correspond to oversight or management of particular schools within an election district

Minimum requirements of school board directors are established in state law.

• Be at least 21 years old before assuming office

• Have no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or next ensuing general election 

• Not be a sex offender convicted of an offense for which registration is required under MN statute section 243.166

• Be an eligible voter in Minnesota 

• Be a resident of the election district (city of Minneapolis for at-large and specific district for seats 1-6), for at least 30 days prior to the general election

• Within 14 days of raising or spending more than $750, you must submit an initial campaign finance report to Minneapolis Elections Office

• File an affidavit of candidacy with the Minneapolis Elections:

  • 1. • Pay filing fee or submit petition instead of paying fee

       • Submit additional financial reports

• More information on filing and reporting requirements here: https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/candidates/filing-for-office/ 

• Maintain residency in the district from which elected

• Cannot earn more than $20,000 annually as an employee of the school district (was amended in the 2022 legislative session from the previous amount of $8,000)

• Must receive training in school finance and management developed in consultation with the Minnesota School Boards Association

• File all required reports

• Edison High School

• Las Estrellas Dual Language Elementary School

• Marcy Elementary

• Northeast Middle School

• Pillsbury Elementary School

• Pratt Elementary School

• Waite Park Elementary School

• Webster Elementary School

• Bethune Arts Elementary School

• River Bend Education Center

• Camden High School

• Cityview Elementary School

• Franklin STEAM Middle School

• Hall STEM Academy

• Harrison High School

• Hmong International Academy

• Jenny Lind Elementary School

• Loring Elementary School

• Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School

• MACC (Minneapolis Academy and Career Center)

• Mona Moede Early Learning Center

• MPS Online School

• Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School

• North High School

• Olson Middle School

• Andersen United Middle School

• Green Central Dual Language Elementary School

• Heritage Academy

• Seward Montessori Elementary School

• South High School

• Whittier Elementary School

• Anwatin Middle School

• Bryn Mawr Elementary School

• Ella Baker Elementary

• Emerson Dual Language Elementary School

• FAIR School for Arts

• Kenwood Elementary School

• Marcy Arts Elementary School

• Stadium View

• Wellstone International High School

• Anishinabe Academy

• Bancroft Elementary School

• Dowling Elementary School

• Field Elementary School

• Folwell Elementary School

• Hale Elementary School

• Hiawatha Elementary School

• Howe Elementary School

• Lake Nokomis Keewaydin Elementary School

• Lake Nokomis Wenonah Elementary School

• Longfellow Alternative High School

• Northrop Elementary School

• Roosevelt High School

• Sanford Middle School

• Sullivan STEAM School

• Armatage Elementary School

• Anthony Middle School

• Barton Elementary School

• Burroughs Elementary School

• Kenny Elementary School

• Lake Harriet Lower Elementary School

• Lake Harriet Upper Elementary School

• Lyndale Elementary School

• Windom Elementary School

• Justice Page Middle School

• Southwest High School

• Washburn High School

Time commitment:

• • • Minimum of 2-3 evening board meetings per month (generally on Tuesdays)

    • Additional time for reviewing meeting materials, other meetings, constituent communication, and external appointments and committees

Annual compensation:

• • • $20,000 for Directors

    • $22,000 for Chair and Vice-Chair

Student Representatives:

• MPS has a non-voting, student representative seat on the board, which is shared by two high-school students

• One student is selected from a school in the north half of the city and one from a school in the south half

• Student reps serve for one calendar year

The Board Standing Committee on Policies is established under Board Policy 8120. The role of the Committee is to:

• Oversee the review of all policies adopted by the board

• Review recommended board action on those policies not specifically in the purview of another Board Standing Committee.

• Evaluate suggestions for board policy that come from board members and the public. It may recommend development of policies for adoption. 

• Establish priorities in policy review and adoption, in consultation with the Superintendent and the administration, and sets review goals and schedules.

The Purpose of the Finance Committee is to:

• Identify the Information the Board needs to Receive on a Regular Basis Concerning the Budgeted vs. Actual Financial Data of the District

• Define and Monitor the Board's Role and Decision Calendar for the Board Discussions on the District's Budget and the Role of the Citizens

• Oversee Preparation of the Annual Budget and Quarterly Financial Statements

• Support Staff in Addressing Issues Raised by the Annual Audit

The Board Treasurer will serve as Chair and the Senior Finance Officer will staff the Committee.

The Superintendent Evaluation Committee will meet when necessary to develop the tool by which the Superintendent will be evaluated. They do not do the Superintendent Evaluation as that is done by the entire board.

Policy 2075

The Board of Education has sole responsibility for evaluating the Superintendent.

Committee Description
As the strategic nonprofit partner of the Minneapolis Public Schools, AchieveTwinCities mobilizes a wide web of community support to ensure academic achievement, equitable opportunities and career and college readiness for all students. We believe that preparing our young people to succeed in school, work and life is the best investment we can make in our city’s health and vitality. Board Chair is automatically on this committee.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
Board Chair is appointed plus one alternate

Committee Commitment
Bi-monthly; Thursdays 8am – 10am

More Information
https://www.achievetwincities.org/board-directors 

Committee Description
AMSD is organized as a 501 c (6) non-profit corporation and is governed by its Board of Directors. Each member district has 2 voting members on the AMSD Board of Directors, the superintendent, and a designated school board member. Board members are asked to attend and participate at the monthly Board of Directors meetings and to share information gathered at the meetings with their school board colleagues and interested district staff. AMSD Board members approve the legislative platform, position papers, and the annual budget and direct the activities of the organization.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed plus one alternate

Committee Commitment
Board of Directors meetings are generally held on the first Friday of the month. A hot breakfast is served starting at 7:00 AM. From 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM we encourage networking and socializing with other AMSD members. The business meeting begins at 7:30 AM. In addition to routine business and action items, the agenda usually includes a guest speaker. The meeting concludes by 9:00 AM. Additional school board members from member districts, as well as district staff are welcome to attend the Board of Directors meetings. There are also two Committees, the Executive Committee, and the Legislative Committee. Membership on these committees is voted on by the AMSD Board and would have additional time requirements.

More Information
https://www.amsd.org/ 

Committee Description
The Planning Commission hears and decides applications for land use reviews, including site plan review, conditional use permits, changes or expansions of a nonconforming use, variances, and land subdivisions. In addition, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on planning decisions, including proposed rezonings, street and alley vacations, public land sales, zoning code text amendments, and amendments to the comprehensive plan. 

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed

Committee Commitment
The Planning Commission typically meets about four times per month.

More Information
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/IndependentBodies/cpc 

In process

Committee Description
Council of the Great City Schools is The Nation’s Voice for Urban Education. It is the special mission of America’s urban public schools to educate the nation’s most diverse student body to the highest academic standards and prepare them to contribute to our democracy and the global community. The Board of Directors of the CGCS is composed of the Superintendent and one Board of Education member from each member district. The Board meets twice a year to determine and adopt policies. It elects a 24-member Executive Committee, which exercises governing authority when the Board is not in session.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed plus one alternate

Committee Commitment
Annual Legislative conference in Washington D.C. every March, Annual Fall Conference which rotates cities yearly.

More Information
https://www.cgcs.org/ 

Committee Description
The Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors Group (aka MUID) is a collaborative of over 20 Indigenous 501c3’s located throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. MUID was founded in the late 1980’s as a means for collaborative and collective efforts to be conducted on behalf of the Twin Cities urban Indigenous population by the very organizations that work within it.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed plus one alternate

Committee Commitment
“The Philips Indian Educators” or “PIE”– meets bi-weekly on Friday mornings. Not a voting member of MUID, but Communications. MUID Leadership meets monthly (the last Tuesday of every month) at the Minneapolis American Indian Center from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm, we are more than welcome, though not required, to attend these meetings as well.

More Information
http://pieducators.com/ 

Committee Description
The MSBA Board of Directors has 15 members – one from each of our 13 Director Districts plus a President and a President-Elect/Past President.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed to Board (determined with SPPS Board)

Committee Commitment
The MSBA Board has 7-8 meetings per year. They are often in conjunction with a workshop or statewide meeting (Summer Seminar, Delegate Assembly, and Leadership Conference). These Board meetings are usually 2-4 hours long, but in some cases, we begin with an evening meeting and continue the next day. There are board meetings in October, November, and December, and those dates will be set during the Annual Meeting when they adopt the calendar.

More Information
https://mnmsba.org/membership/msba-board-of-directors/ 

Committee Description
Participates in forming the MSBA legislative agenda.

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
Five Directors appointed to the delegate assembly

Committee Commitment
Once a year there’s a two-day delegate assembly to debate and vote on resolutions to create the MSBA agenda.

More Information
https://mnmsba.org/workshops-events/msba-delegate-assembly/ 

Committee Description
The Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board provides overall direction to the NRP program and is primarily responsible for the review and approval of Neighborhood Action Plans, NRP Phase I & II Plan, and Neighborhood Priority Plans.  

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
One Director appointed

Committee Commitment
3rd Tuesday of each month

More Information
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Boards/nrppolicy 

Committee Description
The YCB Board consists of 10 members representing YCB’s four jurisdictional partners: The City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and Minneapolis Public Schools. In addition to 10 board members, the YCB also has several ex-officio members. These individuals come from both community groups and private foundations. They bring a wide range of experience and perspectives to the YCB. 

Committee Type
External Committee

Number
Two Directors appointed

Committee Commitment
Every other month starting in February. Typically the 1st Wednesday of the month.

More Information
https://www.ycb.org/ 

• Directors shall not use electronic communication of any kind as a substitute for deliberations at duly called and noticed board meetings or for other communications or business properly confined to board meetings.

• Directors should be aware that electronic communications, including attachments, received or prepared for use in board business or containing information relating to board business are likely to be regarded as public records, which may be inspected by any person upon request, unless otherwise made confidential by law.

• Directors shall avoid reference to confidential information about employees, students or other matters in electronic communications because of the risk of improper disclosure. Board members should comply with the same standards as district employees with regard to confidential information.

• Electronic communication of meeting materials should generally be conducted in a one-way communication from the Chair, Clerk, or their designee to the Directors.

• Inquiries regarding meeting materials should be directed directly back to the Chair, Clerk or their designee. If the clarification, or answer to the inquiry is one of value to other Directors, the Chair, Clerk, or their designee may send follow-up materials or information to the Board.

• During a public meeting Directors shall not communicate via electronic means with members of the public. Directors may communicate with District Staff or other Board Members on process issues.

• Directors wishing to share information with other members should do so through the Chair, Clerk, or their designee. Such information shall not invite response or discussion outside of a public meeting. Any materials so distributed that relate to agenda items must be made available to the public.

• Directors may communicate with one other Director via electronic means.

• Directors shall not forward individual communications to other directors.

• Directors who receive list-serve distributions, electronic newsletters, or participates in electronic discussion forums where other Directors are likely to participate should not reply to any distribution or comment so that the reply is copied to the entire distribution group, or any part of the group that might include other Directors. The Director may reply directly to a sender of a message.

• Individual communication between one director and one constituent are considered not public data, unless either party decides to make it public. Communication involving more than one director, or any district staff, are presumed to be public data.

• Directors must not convey any message on behalf of the entire board, unless that matter has been approved by majority vote of the Board.

• Directors shall submit any constituent inquiry that requires district staff support for a response by e-mail to Board Staff.

• Board staff will coordinate with district staff to provide a response to the Director and/or constituent.

• The Board office and district staff will make every effort to respond consistently within a reasonable amount of time. If a substantial amount of time is required to prepare a response, staff will let the director know.

• Outside of a duly noticed Board or Committee meeting, any requests for information must be submitted through the Board Office and not directly to district staff.

• Beyond basic information, any requests for staff action must be made directly to the Superintendent and a copy to the Board Administrator in writing to prevent the Board from directing the work of District staff or expecting District staff to adjust their work schedules.

• Directors shall work with the Board Office to schedule a visit and to communicate the purpose of the visit.

• The visit should be scheduled so as to provide the school principal the courtesy of advance notice, to avoid potential conflicts with student testing, staff evaluations, or other critical activity necessitating the attention or presence of the school principal.

• In the event of such conflict, the Board Office will schedule the visit for a mutually convenient time.

• The principal or designee will accompany Directors while visiting their school and be available to answer any questions that may arise and/or provide additional context to what is being observed.

• If a Director wishes to utilize any social media platform to communicate on official district business matters or on any subject or topic using their title of School Board Director, they must adhere to the provisions in this section, including:

  • • • Compliance with Board Policy 4038 and any related regulations or procedures

      • Limit use to district-utilized platforms through the accounts established by District Staff, which shall be retained by the district after the director leaves office

      • Requirements of the MN Open Meeting Law

      • Requirements of the MN Data Practices Act

• Any communication regarding official district business on any personal social media platforms is subject to this policy, whether the Director uses a district-issued account or personal device.

• Campaign-related activity is prohibited on district-established social media platforms. Directors shall maintain a separate account for these purposes, while using caution to not engage in official district business.

• Directors must consult with Board Staff, Communications Staff, or the District’s General Counsel before blocking users or deleting or hiding posts or comments on district-established social media accounts. 

Minnesota Open Meeting Law:

• • Unless specifically provided as an exception under the law, all meetings of the board, or a quorum of the board, must be open to the public

  • Chance social gatherings, trainings, and team-building activities are not considered meetings

  • All meetings must be properly noticed

  • Except in health pandemic or emergency situation, meetings are in-person

  • Implications for electronic communication and social media

Certain meetings must or may be closed:

• Attorney-Client Privilege (only type that isn’t recorded)

• Labor negotiations strategy

• Certain employee issues, investigations, and evaluations

• Meetings that contain not public data

• Certain security matters

Certain types of director communications outside of properly noticed meetings may violate Open Meeting Law

• Directors should not:

  • • Conduct or discuss matters via email, text, or other electronic communication with a quorum of board membership 

    • Engage in “serial meetings”

• Intentional violation of the Open Meeting Law has a $300 personal liability

• Three violations may result in forfeiture of the office

• “Body”, not individual

• Equality of all members

• Majority rule, minority rights

• Recognition by chair required

• Focus on issues

• Proposals not personalities

• Motions not motives

• Quorum and notice required

• Comments germane

• Time limits on speaking

• Main motion. Underlying matter before the body.

• Subsidiary motions. To do something with or to the main motions (e.g., amend, refer, previous question).

• Incidental motions. Procedural matters related to the main motion that take precedence (e.g., point of order, suspend the rules).

• Privileged motions. Limited number that take precedence (recess, privilege, adjourn).

Main motion 

• “I move…”

Amend

• Must be germane

• Insert, strike, strike & insert, and substitute

Previous question

• Sometimes phrased as “call the question”

• Ends debate, 

• Undebatable

• 2/3 majority required

Point of inquiry/order

• Raises question, chair rules 

Recess

• Undebatable

Adjourn

• Undebatable

Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart: https://robertsrules.org/images/ChartofMotions.pdf

The construction of meeting agendas and the distribution agenda and materials is addressed in Policy 8220 (Agenda).

Key points:

• The proposed agenda for each meeting of the board of directors shall be constructed cooperatively by the Board Chair and the Superintendent. The proposed agenda may be amended by the Board Chair in consultation with the Superintendent before the motion to approve the agenda.

• Individual board directors may suggest items for inclusion on the proposed agenda to the Board Chair. Such requests shall be made ten (10) days in advance of the business meeting. The Chair has the discretion to place the item on the agenda or not.

• The agenda for a regular meeting may be amended by deletions through a motion approved during the regular meeting's adoption of the agenda.

• The agenda is adopted only by an affirmative vote of the directors at the duly noticed meeting.

• Additional items not included on the published agenda may be considered under new business upon the properly made and seconded motion of a director approved by a majority vote of the quorum during adoption of the agenda.

• Agenda, minutes of earlier meetings, and other materials requiring advanced study prior to vote on an item proposed by the Superintendent of Schools, shall be sent to Directors no fewer than seven (7) days in advance of the meeting, except in emergency situations. This is done via BoardBook.

Current Public Comment Process and Guidelines

The School Board will hear up to twenty-five (25) public comments at monthly regular business meetings. Fifteen (15) slots will be available by pre-registration beginning four (4) days prior to the meeting and ten (10) slots will be reserved for in-person sign up 5:15pm on the day of the meeting.

• Register here to provide a public comment. Registration will open at noon four (4) days prior (typically Friday) to the meeting (typically Tuesday).

• By registering and providing a comment, you agree to all public comment guidelines and you understand that your comment and information you provide in the registration form may be considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

• The Board Chair has full discretion over the public comment period and guidelines.

• If you have signed up to provide public comment in-person, your name will be called to approach the podium.

• Each commenter will have up to two (2) minutes to provide their comment.

• Public commenters should state their name, relationship to MPS, and the topic on which they are commenting.

• Public comments are an opportunity for the Board to hear feedback and input. Board members will not respond to comments or questions.

• Comments must not reference identifiable information about employees or students and must not use profanity, insults, or threats.

Watch Meetings
Regular and special business meetings and regular committee of the whole meetings are broadcast live on https://mps.eduvision.tv/LiveEvents and on Minneapolis Comcast Cable Channel 15.

Language Interpretation and Other Meeting Accommodations
Language interpretation is available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong at every regular business and regular work session meeting. If you need language support in another language, including American Sign Language, or any other accommodations, please contact the Board's Executive Assistant 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

In accordance with MN Open Meeting Law and board policies, there is some ability to participate in some meetings remotely by interactive technology under certain circumstances. 

• The school board and its committees currently meet on Tuesday evenings. 

• All meetings, unless specifically noticed, are held in the board room at the Davis Center (1250 West Broadway Ave.)

• The Board does not generally meet in July

• Policy Committee and Committee of the Whole do not meet in June or December

• By law, the board cannot meet on days when a caucus, primary election, or general election is held

General Meeting Schedule

1st Tuesday

• Held for trainings and special or rescheduled meetings (5pm-8pm)

2nd Tuesday

• Regular Business Meetings (5:30pm-end), typically beginning with a closed executive session (4:00pm-5:00pm)

3rd Tuesday

• Work Session (6:00pm-8:00pm)

4th Tuesday

• Policy Committee (4:30pm-5:30pm)

• Finance Committee (5:45pm-6:45pm)

Annual Organizational Meeting (first Monday in January)

• Ceremonial oaths of office for newly elected members

• Election of board officers

• Board committee assignments and appointments

• Board meeting calendar

• Delegation of authority to superintendent of schools

• Financial and banking authorizations

Regular Business

• Legislative agenda

• Board budget priorities

• School calendars (if applicable)

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

• Budget development

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 8505: Director Travel (annual)

Regular Business

• Introduction of board student representatives

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

• Budget development

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 6690: Wellness Policy (no less than every three years)

• Regular review of Policy 3548: Bus Safety (3 year cycle)

Regular Business

• TBD

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

• Budget development

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 5635: Reporting Maltreatment Of Minors And Vulnerable Adults (annual)

Regular Business

• TBD

• Election districts (every ten years after census)

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

• Budget development

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 5201: Bullying And Hazing Prohibition (Annual)

• EDIA Progress Monitoring Report

Regular Business

• Budget presentation/first reading

• Capital plan budget presentation/first reading

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements 

• Budget development

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 3700: Fund Balance (no more than annual)

• Regular review of Policy 4016: Family Medical Leave Act (annual)

• Regular review of Policy 3500: Records Retention (every five years)

Regular Business

• Budget approval

• Capital plan approval

• Long-Term Facilities Maintenance plan approval

• EDIA topic for upcoming year

Work Session

• No Work Session meeting in June

Finance Committee

• No Finance Committee meeting in June

Policy Committee

• No Policy Committee meeting in June

The board does not typically meeting during the July recess 

Regular Business

• Referendum language approved for ballot (if necessary)

• Canvass primary election results (if necessary)

• Adoption of e-learning plan

• Report of previous year Superintendent evaluation summary

Work Session

• Joint meeting with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

• Property tax levy initial discussion

Policy Committee

• TBD

Regular Business

• Pre-certification of property tax levy

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 4002: Harassment And Violence Prohibition Protected Classes (annual)

• Regular review of Policy 5050: Title IX Non-Discrimination (annual)

Regular Business

• TBD

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 6415: Internet And Educational Network Use (annual)

• Regular review of Policy 5210: Student Personal Electronic Devices (annual)

Regular Business

• Canvass general election results (if schedule aligns with state requirements, otherwise this is done during a special business meeting)

Work Session

• TBD

Finance Committee

• Financial statements

Policy Committee

• Regular review of Policy 6680: Safety, Security And Emergency Management (annual)

• EDIA Progress Monitoring Report

Regular Business

• Truth-in-Taxation Meeting

• Certify final property tax levy

• School year calendars (generally on a three-year cycle)

• Receive and file annual external audit

• Remarks by departing members including student representatives

• Legislative agenda introduction

• Budget planning update

• Board budget priorities introduction

Committee of the Whole

• No Work Session Meeting in December

Finance Committee 

• No Policy Committee meeting in December

Policy Committee

• No Policy Committee meeting in December

• Policy 8000: Legal Status

• Policy 8110: Purposes And Role Of The Board

• Policy 8111: Code of Ethics

• Policy 8112: Governing Rules

• Policy 8114: School Board Election Districts

• Policy 8115: Membership And Quorum

• Policy 8116: Vacancies On The Board

• Policy 8120: Standing Committees

• Policy 8140: Board Officers

• Policy 8200: Annual Meeting

• Policy 8210: Meetings Of The Board Of Directors

• Policy 8220: Agenda

• Policy 8231: Voting

• Policy 8500: Board Director Development

• Policy 8505: Director Travel

• Policy 8510: Conflict Of Interest

• Policy 8520: Policy Development

• Policy 8525: External Representation And Memberships

• Policy 8530: Regulations

• Policy 8540: Board Evaluation Of Educational Programs

• Policy 8550: Communications And Community Relations