The consent agenda was approved without items pulled for separate consideration. Items included routine personnel actions, resignations, and retirements. Notable retirements on the consent calendar included long-serving teachers at Blaine High School, Sunrise Elementary, Coon Rapids Family Center, and Rum River Elementary, along with other district staff. Claims and financial disbursements were also included.

Public Comment: Parents for Good Challenges Teacher Contract Communications

One speaker addressed the board during the public comment period: Shayen Burbig, a mother of four in the district and co-founder of Parents for Good.

Burbig expressed concern about how the district communicated with families during the AHEM teacher contract negotiations earlier this year. She described feeling that parents were left without adequate information as the district navigated a near-strike situation in January 2026 — a process that ultimately concluded with a 20-hour mediation session and a ratified contract on January 7th.

No board members responded to Burbig’s comments during the public comment period, consistent with standard school board practice. The board did not schedule any follow-up discussion on the communications question.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Cory McIntyre presented several updates from across the district:

• Cities Coalition Meeting: McIntyre reported attending a recent joint meeting that included Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch, Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabis, Ramsey Mayor Ryan Henman, and Andover City Clerk Natalie Johnson — along with Anoka DECA students Stella Wallheim, Elizabeth Buffy, Lucy Machulis, and Angel Chabili, who served as student ambassadors.
• Special Education Parent Resource Event: A parent information event focused on special education resources is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th, 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. More information available at ahschools.us.
• Science Olympiad Regional Competition: Set for Wednesday, February 25th starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. The event will be livestreamed via the district website. The superintendent gave a special acknowledgment to Kevin Mullahen for years of organizing the competition.
• Minnesota Public Schools Week: McIntyre highlighted the statewide celebration as an opportunity to recognize and support public education and the staff who contribute to student success.

Tom Shaw, Director of Student Services, and Mindy Meyers, American Indian Education Program Coordinator, presented the district’s annual American Indian Education update along with required compliance documents. Also acknowledged: Kimberly Brendan, AIPAC (American Indian Parent Advisory Committee) Chair, and JOM (Johnson-O’Malley) committee representation.

Meyers provided a high-level overview of programming that supports American Indian students and families across the district. Highlights included:

• Monthly meetings with two parent advisory committees — AIPAC and the JOM committee — with student and family feedback continuously shaping program offerings.
• A visit from storyteller and musician Jackie Bird, described as providing powerful cultural programming for students.
• Programming philosophy grounded in student and family voice, with individual school advisors adapting lesson content based on student needs and feedback.
• Compliance documents required under state and federal law were presented for board receipt as part of the annual reporting cycle.

The board received a first read of a new or updated district policy addressing Minnesota’s Paid Leave statute. The presentation covered the documentation requirements, leave certification procedures, and several policy decisions the statute leaves to individual employers.

Key policy provisions presented:

• Concurrent leave: Employees entitled to leave under multiple programs (e.g., FMLA and Minnesota Paid Leave) will be required to take those leaves concurrently to the extent allowable — they do not stack.
• Why both laws exist: Minnesota Paid Leave offers the same duration as FMLA but with significantly more qualifying reasons. Because FMLA is a federal law, the state could not repeal it when enacting Minnesota Paid Leave, so both remain in force.
• The policy formalizes district-specific decisions where the statute gives employers discretion, ensuring employees have clarity on what is and is not permitted in Anoka-Hennepin specifically.

The board received a first read of a brand-new district policy — Policy 605.0 — governing “shared time” students. Shared time refers to students enrolled in non-public schools (private or homeschool) who attend some classes in the public school district. This is a new policy; Anoka-Hennepin did not previously have a formal written policy on shared time enrollment.

Key provisions in the proposed policy:

• Less than 50% enrollment cap: Shared time students may enroll in fewer than half of a school day’s classes. In a five-class day, that means up to two public school classes.
• No elective-only enrollment: Courses must be credit-bearing and tied to promotion or graduation requirements. Study hall and similar non-credit options are not available to shared time students.
• No transportation provided: The district does not provide busing for shared time students.
• Discipline policy applies: Shared time students are subject to district discipline policies while on school grounds.
• The policy also establishes enrollment procedures and documentation requirements.

The board unanimously approved the 2025–27 Special Education Administrators Master Agreement (Appendix R). The agreement covers the district’s special education administrator group for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.

Director Audette moved approval; Director Deschene seconded. No board members requested discussion before the vote. The agreement was approved with six votes in favor and zero opposed.

Item 10 — Board Correspondence & Communication

Co-Chair Hoekman invited board members to share updates from their communities and committee work. Board members reported on various committee assignments and community events in their respective districts but no formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.