November 15, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Closed Campus Discussion

There was discussion regarding the possibility of having a closed campus during lunch periods at Denfeld and East High Schools.  Laurie Knapp and Ed Crawford were present to give input during this discussion.

1.A.2) High School Credit Requirement Overview and Discussion

Assistant Superintendent Bill Gronseth presented an overview of current District and State high school credit requirements with discussion following regarding the possibility of increasing the high school credit requirements for the Duluth Public Schools.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Air Force Association JROTC Grant Application

Susan Abrahamson has applied for an Air Force Association JROTC grant in the amount of $250.  If awarded funds will be used to enrich Duluth Public Schools sixth grade students' aviation experience and understanding of aerospace principles through a collaboration with the Duluth Aviation Institute to develop the Path to Aviation Program, which was piloted during the 2010-11 School year at Woodland Middle School.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Selecting a Name for the New Eastern Middle School

Discussion continued regarding the naming of the New Eastern Middle School with a possible vote to select a name from the final proposed names.

2.B. Resolution E-11-11-2942 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-11-11-2942 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organizations:

MN State High School League
MN State High School League
Northland Foundation

2.C. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip requests are submitted for approval:

Nordic Ski Trip to West Yellowstone - According to MSHSL Bylaw 411, if a member school's League-sponsored athletic team requests out-of-state travel for a practice or a scrimmage for the varsity, junior varsity, or "B" squad teams, the School Board must review the itinerary, review the financial aspect of the trip, verify that that the trip is in compliance with Title IX relative to travel opportunities for each gender, and approve the travel at a regularly scheduled school board meeting.

Bonnie Fuller-Kask , Head Coach for East's Nordic Ski Team,  is requesting approval to travel to West Yellowstone with members of East High School's Nordic Ski Team from November 18-26, 2011 and has provided the attached information required by the MSHSL.  All expenses will be paid with student fees.  Both male and female students will have the opportunity to participate in this trip. 

Seven eleventh and twelfth grade HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) students will be traveling to the Radisson Plaza Hotel/Target Conference Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 9-10, 2011 to attend the HOSA Fall Delegate Assembly Leadership Conference.  The total cost of this trip is $863 and will be funded through student fees, fund raising activities, and grant funds.

Morgan Park Middle School School seventh grade students will be traveling to Thunder Bay, Canada from May 30, 2012 through June 1, 2012.  The purpose of this trip is for the students to experience a different culture, meet their pen pals,and get a taste of the college experience.  The cost of this trip is $220 per student and will be funded with student fees.

East High School Band students will be traveling to Orlando, Florida from April 5, 2012 to April 11, 2012 to perform at Disney locations and attend recording and movie production workshops.  The cost of this trip is $750 per student and will be funded with student fees.

2.D. Diplomas

The following students have completed all high school requirements and should be awared a diploma:

Holly Cain - October 7, 2011
Jesse Akervik - June 7, 2011
Keith Graham - August 15, 2011