School Board

The School Board governs District 196 and develops policies to manage district affairs and support student education. They hire the superintendent, approve staff appointments, set the school levy, and ensure facilities and equipment are available for effective teaching.

District voters elect, at large, seven residents who are United States citizens, at least 21 years of age upon taking office, and not registered as a convicted sex offender. Members are elected to four-year terms on the November general election day in odd-numbered years.

The School Board holds regular meetings on Mondays at least once each month according to a schedule approved by the board. Regular School Board meetings begin at 6 p.m. at Dakota Ridge School, 4629 144th Street W, Apple Valley, Minnesota unless otherwise noted. For a list of upcoming meetings, visit the School Board Meetings and Agendas page.

Any meeting involving 4 to 7 School Board members (a quorum) requires notice in district publications and electronic communications at least three days prior to the meeting. All School Board meetings are open to the public, unless closed pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05.

• Regular meetings are scheduled at least once per month, to review and take action on items.
• Special meetings are scheduled as needed to take action on time-sensitive items and to review information in greater depth.

Agendas for regular meetings typically include: consent items; old and new business; other action; superintendent and school board member updates; reports; staff and student recognition, and special communication requests. The agenda and exhibits for regular meetings are available for public viewing at every meeting and via the district website the Friday prior to each meeting. Regular meetings are videotaped for viewing on the District 196 TV educational access channel and the district’s YouTube page.

Minutes are taken for all School Board meetings, regular and special, and are approved by the board and published in the district’s official newspaper.

For general questions about School Board meetings, contact the administrative executive assistant to the Superintendent and School Board.

The public is welcome to attend School Board meetings and public hearings. Members of the public may participate in regular School Board meetings in the following ways:

1. Watch video of past School Board meetings and read minutes. The public may stream video online of past regular meetings and read meeting minutes. Special board meetings are not recorded.
    
2. Addressing agenda items. The public may address agenda items in the Reports, Old Business, New Business and Other Action portions of the meeting, before board discussion on the topic, when recognized by the chairperson. Speakers are asked to identify themselves before they begin their comments and are allowed to speak one time per agenda item for up to two minutes.
    
3. Addressing issues not on the agenda. A member of the public may address the board through Special Communication Request by submitting a completed form (Procedure 204.8.3P, Special Communication Request) to the executive assistant to the School Board no less than five working days before the board meeting at which they wish to speak. This request and any related information will be shared with the board before the meeting. Individuals or groups who submit this written request are given four minutes to make their comments. There is a limit of ten speakers. Contact the superintendent's administrative executive assistant to submit a request or ask for assistance.

School Board response to public comments - The School Board takes into consideration comments made by the public at meetings and hearings. Questions, concerns and requests directed to the board will usually be deferred pending administrative and board consideration.

Community Listening Sessions

District 196 stakeholders can provide feedback during monthly community listening sessions with up to three School Board members, held at different schools throughout the school year. Find more and a schedule on our Community Listening Sessions page. 

• School district elections
• Campaign finance reports 
• Advisory councils