The School Board is the policy-making body for Bloomington Public Schools. While the board is responsible for school programs and operations by law, it delegates some portion of that authority to the Superintendent. The School Board is governed by a chair and vice chair who are elected by the School Board membership.
(L-R) Front row: Elsa Ackerman, Ted Moore, Tom Bennett, Matt Dymoke, Xachary Chappelle
Back row: Supt. Eric Melbye, Heather Starks, Dawn Steigauf, Nelly Korman, Mia Olson
School Board Meetings
School board business meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in the Arlene Bush Board Room at the Educational Services Center, 1350 W. 106th St.
The second Monday of each month will be a study session for the School Board beginning at 7 pm. Study sessions are not carried by BEC-TV.
If a holiday falls on a Monday, the board session will be on Tuesday.
The third Monday of each month is reserved for a study session, a board meeting, professional development, or a combination thereof. The session will be at 7 p.m. unless determined otherwise.
All school board meeting and study session agendas, materials, minutes, recordings and recaps are posted online.
School Board Listening Sessions
Prior to the study session on the second Monday of the month, the School Board will host a listening session from 6 - 6:45 p.m. Bloomington Public Schools parents/caregivers, students and staff, and Bloomington residents are invited to comment to the School Board.
Listening sessions are an opportunity to voice concerns or approval about school district matters, but not the proper venue for complaints about individual staff members.
Visit our Listening Sessions page for speaker guidelines and to register to speak at a listening session.
School Board Member Handbook
The district's School Board Member Handbook provides guidance related to the role of being a school board member. It is a resource for those currently serving on the school board and those who look to serve on the board in the future.
BEC-TV Broadcasts
School Board meetings are covered live by BEC-TV and can be seen via live stream, Apple TV, Roku and Cable.
Ways to Watch
- BEC-TV Live Stream - Watch live meetings here as they are happening
- BEC-TV Video on Demand - Stream past school board meetings
- Cable, Apple TV, Roku and more
- Regular School Board meetings are replayed at 1 a.m., 7 a.m., and 1 p.m. the day following the meeting, as well as several times later in the week.
2026 Celebration of Service
Bloomington Public Schools honored 28 employees with a combined 662 years of service to the district at the Celebration of Service May 20. The annual reception recognized employees with 15 or more years of employment at the time of their retirement or departure.
The Board has established the following goals for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Future Ready Instruction:
- Drive district priorities by approving an official legislative platform and participating in direct and organizational advocacy.
- Ensure full district compliance with the Minnesota READ Act mandates.
- Support and review year two of Early Learning at Washburn, unified programming, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Inclusive Environment:
- Actively support the district’s three-year Achievement and Integration Plan to meet its stated goals.
- Promote and highlight student voice and engagement in Board governance functions.
- Quality Workforce:
- Continue to support and promote educator pathway initiatives in Bloomington Public Schools.
- Support and review cultural proficiency efforts related to district professional development.
- Family Partnerships:
- Continue to refine, promote, and utilize community feedback tools to strengthen governance decision-making.
- Engage with and review the Birth-Grade 12 Operation Enrollment Plan.
- Equitable Resources:
- Continue active participation in the district budget approval process.
- Develop and execute strong federal and state legislative advocacy plans to support Bloomington Public Schools.
The term for a School Board member is four years. School Board members are elected in the odd years.
Early and Absentee Voting
See early voting hours, how to request an absentee ballot, and where your your Election Day polling place is on the City of Bloomington's voting information web page.
Candidate Filings
A school board term is four years and directors and school board election is non-partisan.
Candidates must be:
- Age 21 or older
- Current resident of Bloomington for a minimum of 30 days
- Eligible to vote in Minnesota
- Have not filed for any other current office in the upcoming election
- Provide current and valid identification and proof of residence
- Not convicted of an offense for which registration is required
Qualifications for Voting and Assuming Office
Pursuant to the Federal and Minnesota constitutions, persons must be 18 years of age or older to vote; 21 years of age or older to assume public office. To qualify to vote or assume office a person must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days preceding the election and a resident of the school district. In addition, to assume public office, a person must be a resident of the district for 30 days. Preregistration is not required.
Contact
Jennifer Hazel
Deputy Clerk for School Board Elections
952-681-6421
jhazel@isd271.org
School Board Member Term Expiration Dates
Nelly Korman Term expires 12/31/27
Mia Olson Term expires 12/31/27
Heather Starks Term expires 12/31/27
Tom Bennett Term expires 12/31/29
Matt Dymoke Term expires 12/31/29
Ted Moore Term expires 12/31/29
Dawn Steigauf Term expires 12/31/29
Campaign Finance Reports
Student representatives attend meetings that are held on the fourth Monday of each month September through May. They give reports about school activities and participate in discussion of board agenda items. They are non-voting members of the School Board. Student representatives have been a part of the School Board since 2016.
Dec. 14, 2026, 7 p.m.
The Truth In Taxation hearing for Bloomington Public Schools (BPS) will be held as part of the School Board Meeting on Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. If you wish to make a public comment or pose a question regarding your school district taxes during that portion of the meeting, you may do so by signing in upon your arrival at the Board Meeting. The School Board Chair will call upon persons wishing to address the School Board and ask speakers to state their name and address before they begin with comments and/or questions.
The School Board Meeting and Truth in Taxation hearing location -- Educational Services Center, 1350 West 106th Street, in the Arlene Bush Board Room.
Contact
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board
952-681-6402
klofton@isd271.org