February 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Annual Head Start Training

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, conducted required training to School Board members pertaining to their roles and responsibilities as elected officials relating to the Duluth Public Schools Head Start Program. 

1.A.2) Overview of Duluth Public Schools Child Nutrition Program

Pamela Bowe, Child Nutrition Supervisor, presented an overview of the Duluth Public Schools Child Nutrition Program.  She included information on how the efforts of the District to offer healthy choices in our school breakfast and lunch programs as stated in the Wellness Policy (Policy 6300) are being received. She also shared information on which of our schools serve breakfast, with discussion on what the financial impact to the District would be if breakfast was served at all schools.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation Fund of the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Rory Johnson, Proctor Public Schools, has submitted a grant proposal in the amount of $24,285 to the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation for consideration of funding from the Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation Fund.  If the grant is awarded the Duluth Public Schools will serve as the fiscal agent and funds will be used to support the Tenth Annual Scott Anderson Leadership Forum this summer.

1.B.2) Service-Learning Grant Application

Elena Bantle, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at Denfeld High School, has applied for a Service-Learning Grant in partnership with LISC, WDCDC, and State Farm Insurance in the amount of $3,195.60.  If awarded funds from this grant will be used to support the creation of a school garden and orchard at Denfeld as part of a service-learning project.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Duluth Public Schools Head Start School Readiness Goals and Action Plan

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, and Sue McDonald, Head Start Education Coordinator, presented the newly required Duluth Public Schools Readiness Goals and Action Plan for review and approval.

2.A.2) Duluth Public Schools Head Start Self Assessment

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, presented the Duluth Public Schools Head Start Annual Self Assessment results for review and approval.

2.A.3) Office of Education Equity - ISD 709 Comprehensive Equity and Inclusion Three Year Plan - 2015

Ron Hagland, Supervisor of the Office of Education Equity, presented the recommended program goals for the Office of Education Equity - ISD 709 Comprehensive Equity and Inclusion Three Year Plan - 2015 for review, discussion, and approval.

2.B. Resolution E-2-12-2976 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-2-12-29976 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organization:

        Northland Foundation

2.C. 2011-12 LEA Representative

Charlie Leibfried, Federal Programs Coordinator, is recommended for authorization to act as the LEA Representative in filing application for funds as provided under Public LAW 103-382 for the 2011-12 school year.

2.D. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip requests are submitted for approval:

Congdon Park Elementary's fourth grade students will be traveling to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland, Minnesota from March 28-30, 2012.  This educational trip will provide students with a learning opportunity in a natural setting, in a hands-on real-life situation.  The total cost of the trip is $12,718 and will be funded through donations, student fees, and fund-raising activities.

Duluth Public Schools DECA students will be traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the State DECA Competition from March 4-6, 2012.  The total cost of the trip is $4,130 and will be funded through student fees and grant dollars.

Duluth Public Schools students in the Automotive 10-12 SkillsUSA Club will be traveling to the Sheraton South Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota from March 23-25, 2012 to participate in the SkillsUSA Minnesota State Conference where they will compete in skill events and attend technical/educational seminars.  The total cost of the trip is $2,515.90 and will be funded through student fees, fund-raising activities, and grant dollars.

2.E. Diplomas

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

 Verleen P. Fulton - January 11, 2012
 Kywan J. Thompson - January 19, 2012
 Delldrick L. Wallace - January 19, 2012
 Deolow J. Shaw - January 18, 2012
Colton William Bloom - January 10, 2012
Devin Lavelle Sagataw - January 20, 2012
Shay S. Chapman - February 6, 2012
Adam Keith Warner - February 7, 2012