April 24, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee-Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Morgan Park Middle School Student Council Presentation

Katie Oliver and Morgan Park Middle School Student Council representatives presented the process that they used to select the school mascot and colors for the new Lincoln Park Middle School.

1.A.2) End-of-Season Co-curricular Student Survey

Activity Directors Shawn Roed and Tom Pearson shared information on the on-line student survey that all student athletes complete at the end of their sports season as part of the evaluation process for Duluth Public Schools coaches.

1.A.3) Duluth Public Schools Construction Technology Program Presentation

Jim Arndt, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Programs, and Tony Leone, Construction Technology Instructor, presented an update on the Construction Technology Program sharing information on future potential projects and the process and criteria used for selecting projects for the program.

1.A.4) Planned Restructuring of the Gifted and Talented Program

Charlie Leibfried, Federal Programs Coordinator, shared information on the planned restructuring of the Duluth Public Schools Gifted and Talented Program for the 2012-13 school year.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Brent Laurila and Dani Westholm, teachers at Unity/ALC, along with Bill Crandall, Unity/ALC's Principal, have applied for a grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in the amount of $1,966.  If awarded grant funds will be used to implement the Flipped Classroom Model at Unity/ALC.

1.B.2) Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Grant Application

Deb Wagner, Coordinator for Families in Transition (The Homeless Student Education Program) will be submitting a grant for $20,000 to the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.  If awarded funds will assist in supporting the portion of the program that provides a parent  education program , designed to support mothers and their children during their adjustment from homelessness to transitional housing. The parenting group parallels the school district's long-term goals of increased parent involvement in education and improved school attendance and academic achievement in their children. 

1.B.3) United States Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund Grant Application

In collaboration with United Way, the YMCA, and LISC the Duluth Public Schools has submitted a preapplication for an Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant from the United Stated Department of Education in the amount of $2,997,831.  If awarded funds will be used to expand the Family Liaison Model in place at Nettleton Elementary to four additional schools with high rates of Free and Reduced Lunch.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Duluth Public Schools Annual Head Start Self Assessment

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

2.A.2) Duluth Public Schools Annual Head Start Community Assessment

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

2.A.3) 2012-13 Federal Head Start Grant Application

The Federal Head Start Grant proposal for FY 12-13 was approved by the Head Start Policy Council and was presented to the Board by Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, for review and approval for submission.

2.B. Resolution E-4-12-2997 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-4-12-2997 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organizations:

Flint Hills Resources
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

2.C. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip request is submitted for approval:

Nettleton Elementary School's fourth grade students will be traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota on May 8-9, 2012 to visit the National History Museum, State Capitol, and Minnesota Zoo.  All costs associated with this trip will be funded with a grant received from Flint Hills Resources.

2.D. Diplomas

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

Benjamin Robert Prestidge - March 19,2012
Nickolas Alan Viele - March 6, 2012
Erick Jerome Kimball - March 5, 2012
Bocephus Wise Pauna - March 5, 2012
Marenda Cecelia Bowman - January 30, 2012
Christopher Paul Moran - January 20, 2012
James Eugene Mills- March 26, 2012