November 20, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Assistive Technology Project Update

Peg Ferguson, Julie Ray, and Terry Ross presented an update on the Minnesota Department of Education Assistive Technology initiative with the Duluth Public Schools, which helps ensure students with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive technology and receive a free, appropriate public education.

1.A.2) Students in Transition Presentation

Deb Wagner, Students in Transition Program Coordinator, and Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, presented information on the Duluth Public Schools' Families in Transition Programs.

1.A.3) Federal Head Start On-Site Review Summary

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, presented a summary of the Duluth Public Schools Federal Head Start On-Site Review that took place between October 28, 2012 and November 2, 2012.  While in Duluth the team visited classrooms, inspected playgrounds, and reviewed financial practices and personnel files.  The team also visited with School Board members, administrators, teachers, advocates, and parents.

1.A.4) Governing Board Training

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, conducted annual Governing Board Training for School Board members as required by Federal Head Start Regulations.

1.A.5) Pending Sequestration (Reduction) of Federal Funds

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, presented an overview of consequences to the Duluth Public Schools Head Start Program that will come to pass with the sequestration (reduction) of Federal Funds scheduled for January 2, 2013, unless Congress intervenes.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) United Healthcare HEROES Grant Application

Sue Lehna, Principal at Homecroft Elementary, has applied for a HEROES grant from United Healthcare in the amount of $1,000.  If awarded funds will be used to support a school-wide Walking Challenge beginning on Martin Luther King Day and ending on Global Youth Service Day.  The aim of this Program is to encourage all students and staff to increase, meet, or exceed their current physical activity level within this project's time-frame.

1.B.2) Northland Foundation Grant Application

Superintendent Gronseth has applied for a Youth Success Teams in the Schools Grant from the Northland Foundation in the amount of $30,000. If awarded funds will be used to cover a portion of the cash match costs of infusing AmeriCorps Members and Promise Fellows into the schools as part of Youth Success Teams for the period of August 2012 through August 2013.

1.B.3) Lloyd K. Johnson Grant Application

Superintendent Gronseth has applied for a Youth Success Team Model in the Schools Grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in the amount of $30,000. If awarded funds will be used to cover a portion of the cash match costs for AmeriCorps Members and Promise Fellows within the schools, building upon the Youth Success Team Model implemented last year.

1.B.4) Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Grant Application

Directors of Student Activities, Tom Pearson and Shawn Roed, have each applied for a MSHSL Foundation Grant for Student Participation. If awarded funds will be used to assist, recognize, promote, and fund extra-curricular participation by Denfeld and East High School students in athletic and fine arts programs.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) New Math Course Proposal

The K-12 Math Committee is proposing the addition of a new Math course, Statistics and Probability, for students in grades eleven and twelve beginning with the 2013-14 school year. This course will be an additional option for students who have successfully completed Algebra II. The total cost of adding this course will not exceed $5,000.

Course Description: An introduction to college statistics, students will work with probability, data collection, descriptive and inferential statistics, and technological tools to analyze statistics. The course will focus on: Exploring data, producing models using probability theory, and making statistical inferences. Students will also study statistical measures of centrality and spread, methods of data collection, methods of determining probability, binomial and normal distributions, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals. Students will use multiple representations to present data including written descriptions, numerical statistics, formulas, and graphs.

2.B. Resolution E-11-12-3057 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-11-12-3057 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organizations:

1. Northland Foundation
2. Northland Foundation
3. Northland Foundation

2.C. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip requests are submitted for review and approval:

Duluth FFA students will be traveling to the University of Minnesota - Crookston on December 6-7, 2012 to participate in career development events/competitions where they will have the opportunity to earn awards and scholarships.  This event is a team building experience where students build on what they have learned in their Agriculture Class.  The total cost of the trip is $1,167.70 and will be funded through student fund raising and grant dollars.

Lincoln Park Middle School seventh grade students will be traveling to Thunder Bay, Canada from May 29-31, 2013. 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 $230 per student and will be funded with student fees.

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 16-24, 2012 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.

Dawn Miller, Head Coach for Denfeld's Nordic Ski Team, is requesting approval to travel to Wolverine Village in Ironwood, Michigan with members of Denfeld High School's Nordic Ski Team from November 30 to December 2, 2012 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.

2.D. Diplomas

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

Mindi Ruth Gravelle - October 2, 2012
Kayman Jade Seavey - September 26, 2012
Derek A. Baker - November 1, 2012