February 25, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Dalian, China Student Exchange Partnership

As part of an international exchange between the Duluth Public Schools and the high school affiliated with Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China, East, Denfeld, and Esko High Schools' families are hosting thirty Dalian students and three teacher chaperones from February 1-14, 2014. Assistant Superintendent Crawford shared information about the Exchange Partnership.

1.A.2) Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)

Use and disproportional use of OSS is an ongoing concern locally and across our nation.  Last year, through Think Kids, our community identified reducing use and disproportional use of OSS as a priority, which has become a key part of our District-Wide Continuous Improvement Plan.  Ron Lake, Climate Coordinator, and Tonya Sconiers, Denfeld High School Principal, shared information regarding use of OSS, our goal to reduce it, current efforts, and likely next steps.

1.A.3) Review of Policy 6300 Wellness Policy

As required in Policy 6300 Wellness Policy, Bill Hanson, Director of Business Services, Pam Bowe, Supervisor of Child Nutrition, and Kevin Abrahamson, Curriculum Coordinator, presented an annual review showing compliance in the areas of food service, nutrition, and physical activity within the Duluth Public Schools and shared plans for areas showing a need for improvement.

1.B. Status Update - Duluth Public Schools Becoming an Accredited On-Line Learning Provider

Adrian Norman, Unity/ALC Administrator, provided an update on the status of Duluth Public Schools becoming an acredited on-line provider beginning with the 2014-15 school year.

1.C. Grant Applications

1.C.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 $24,000 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 Twelfth Annual Scott Anderson Leadership Forum this summer.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Proposed Duluth Public Schools Organizational Structure

Superintendent Bill Gronseth brought the School Board up to date on the past and current organizational structures of the District. As a next step in the District's strategic planning initiative, the Superintendent
presented a revised Duluth Public Schools Organizational Structure which brings departments and positions into alignment toward achieving the goals included in the District-wide Continuous Improvement Plan.

2.A.2) Recommended Changes to the 2013-14 School Year (Tabled at School Board Meeting)

The School District has scheduled 190 school days, and the School District has closed for seven (7) inclement weather days. Recognizing that instructional time is vital to the student learning process, Administration is recommending the adoption of the following changes to the 2013-2014 School Year.

May 16, 2014, originally scheduled as a staff development day without students will now be a regular instructional day for students and staff.

June 6, 2014, originally scheduled as a records day without students will now be a regular instructional day for students and staff.

June 9 and 10, 2014 will now be regular instructional days for students and staff.

June 11, 2014 will now be records day for staff.

June 12, 2014 will now be a Staff Development Day for all Certified Staff.

2.A.3) Ojibwe Immersion Program Proposal

William Howes, Office of Education Equity Supervisor, and Edye Howes, Supervisor of Indian Education,  shared information on a proposal for implementation of an Elementary School Ojibwe Language Immersion Program in the Duluth Public Schools to assist in meeting the Aims and Goals of the District.  Research, rational, and budget considerations will be presented for this proposed program.

2.B. Extended Field Trip Requests

Fifth grade students at Lakewood Elementary will be traveling to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota from February 10-12, 2014.  Students will participate in an interactive study and exploration of the environment and the sciences.  Group activities will include team building and leadership development. The total cost of the trip is $7,322.67 and will be funded through student fees and fundraising activities.

Two Duluth Public Schools FCCLA-HERO students will be traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota on March 18-19, 2014 to participate in State Officers Training and to meet Legislators at the Capitol.  Their are no costs associated with this trip for the District or the two students attending.

2.C. Policy 5140 - Newly Enrolled Students - Health Standards (Newly Named  - Immunzation Requirements)

Attached are revisions to Policy 5140 Newly Enrolled Students - Health Standards (newly named - Immunization Requirments) for the first reading.  Jason Crane, Assistant Director of Special Education, and Camille Murphey And Sue Sederberg, School Nurses, were present to answer any questions.

2.D. Diploma Requests

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

Justice Layn Lundquist - December 18, 2013
McCoy W. Newell - December 19, 2013
Nathan Brandon Greene - January 9, 2014