Mr. Jundt reviewed the following information in response to public comment at the 1/9/24 regular board meeting:

Common Schools Trust Fund

o Fund balance as of September 30, 2023 $6,179,365,271

o Support responsible conversations with the legislative body on how to utilize the Common Schools Trust Fund to enhance public education across the State of North Dakota.

o Approximately $510,000,000 appropriated this last legislative session from the Common Schools Trust Fund

$1,000,000 in design fees wasted previously by District 1

o These design fees incurred have not been wasted. The district is currently leveraging the plans that already exist when planning for a potential bond referendum for two new elementary schools. The district will work with JLG to leverage the plans that already exist; while working to incorporate feedback received from the Staff & Community Forums held late last year related to potential new elementary schools.

The district has already purchased land in the amount of $500,000 - $550,000 prior to the public voting on a bond referendum.

o The district has not closed or expended funds in the amount of $500,000 - $550,000 for the purpose of purchasing land for a potential elementary school. The district is currently in negotiations with the City of Williston on a potential site at Williston Square that would be contingent upon a successful bond referendum vote. The district is also in negotiations with another party on a potential site for an elementary school on the West side of town that would potentially involve the land being donated.

Committee meetings related to the selection of the architect firm

o The meeting to interview the architect firms who submitted proposals related to the RFQ advertised by the district was conducted in accordance with North Dakota Century Code 48-01.2-19.

Academic achievement results

o The school board recognizes the need for improvement in student achievement data. The board has implemented Results policies related to academic achievement that can be located on the district website under the School Board section and then by selecting Board Governing Policies.

o The school board recognizes the hard work that educators across the district are putting in every day.

o Parents can play a vital role in helping their student improve their academic achievement. A few examples of things parents can do to help assist in improving academic achievement are as follows:

● Make sure your students are attending school regularly. If students are chronically absent from school, it will be difficult for them to achieve the academic achievement results we would all like to see.

● Attend parent teacher conferences to stay engaged in your student’s academic progress.

● Make sure your student is turning in their work.

● Read a book with your student for 15 minutes before bedtime each night.

Williston Basin School District #7

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT

12/2/24 Regular Board Meeting

11/4/24 Regular Board Meeting

10/7/24 Regular Board Meeting

9/3/24 Regular Board Meeting

8/5/24 Regular Board Meeting

7/1/24 Regular Board Meeting

6/10/24 Regular Board Meeting

05/28/24 Regular Board Meeting

05/13/24 Regular Board Meeting

04/22/24 Regular Board Meeting

04/08/24 Regular Board Meeting

03/25/24 Regular Board Meeting

02/26/24 Regular Board Meeting

02/12/24 Regular Board Meeting

01/22/24 Regular Board Meeting