September 16, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) School Improvement Efforts at Laura MacArthur Elementary

Nathan Glockle, Principal at MacArthur Elementary, presented information on school improvement efforts and progress at Laura MacArthur Elementary.

1.A.2) Making College Accessible Program (This item was tabled.)

Chip Beale, Diversity Specialist at the Univeristy of Wisconsin, Superior (UWS), and Gabriela Theis, Multicultural Student Service Specialist at UWS, will share information about the Making College Accessible Program at UWS, which gives middle school students and parents the opportunity to learn about financial aid, scholarships, college admission requirements and process, and more.

1.A.3)  2013-2014 State Test Results

On Tuesday, August  26, 2014 the  Minnesota Department  of Education released the 2013-2014 state test results, which include the results of the MCA, MCA-Modified, and MTAS (“all accountability tests”). Consistent with AYP and MMR calculations, results are reported for students enrolled October 1st in our District.  A detailed review was provided by Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Performance.

1.A.4) 2014 ACT Assessment Results

Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Performance, shared the local results of the 2014 ACT Assessment, which is a national college entrance exam and accepted by all United States colleges and universities.

1.A.5) Academic Excellence Online Update

On August 7, 2014 the Duluth Public Schools received official approval from the Minnesota Department of Education to deliver comprehensive and supplemental programming  for grades nine through twelve through our new online program, Academic Excellence Online (AEO).  Adrian Norman, Principal at ALC and AEO, and Chris Vold, AEO Coordinator, provided an update and overview of this new program for the 2014-15 school year.

1.A.6) What I Need (WIN) Advisory Program

High School Principal, Laurie Knapp, presented information on the new WIN Advisory Program that will be implemented this fall at Denfeld and East High Schools.  This program will provide intervention time during the school day for added time and support for struggling students, as well as enrichment opportunities.  It will also allow teachers Professional Learning Communities (PLC) time during zero hour and allow for closed campus to be manageable.

1.A.7) Meyers-Wilkins Community School (MWCS) Collaborative Presentation

Jennifer Eddy, from the MWCS Collaborative, and Stephanie Heilig, Principal at Meyers-Wilkins,  presented information on after-school and summer programming that will be coordinated by the Collaborative this school year, which is in its sixteenth year.  The contract for the Collaborative is on the September Business Committee Agenda for Board approval.

1.A.8) Curriculum Alignment and Common Assessment Work Update

In June and August, teachers and curriculum specialists worked to align current Minnesota benchmarks in English, Math, Music, Science, and Social Studies to the units of study taught within Duluth Public Schools. Work also began to create common assessments for each unit. Dr. Mike Cary, Director of Curriculum, provided a update on the work accomplished.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Minnesota High School Cycling League Independent Provider Request

Bryan Hayden represented the Minnesota High School Cycling League in their request to become an independent provider to the Duluth Public Schools allowing for official recognition by the Duluth Public Schools to our students participating in the Cycling League.  Tom Pearson and Shawn Roed, Activity Directors, were present to answer any questions.

2.A.2) G Team Competition Snowboarding Team Independent Provider Request (This item was tabled.)

Kelsey Berquam will represent the G Team Competition Snowboarding Team in their request to become an independent provider to the Duluth Public Schools allowing for official recognition by the Duluth Public Schools to our students participating on the Snowboarding Team.  Tom Pearson and Shawn Roed, Activity Directors, will also be present to answer any questions.

2.B. Diploma Requests

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

Seth Alen Hietala - June 17, 2014
William A. Turk - July 2, 2014
Darian Kendall Shaw - July 22, 2014
Cameron James Schmidt - July 1, 2014
Mickayla Jade Trettel - July 25, 2014
Tre'Vaun Eugene Robinson - July 25, 2014
Brian Leroy Bach - July 25, 2014
Edson Rivera-Torres - July 25, 2014
Tyshawn Cosey - July 17, 2014

2.C. Resolution E-9-14-3204 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-9-14-3204 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organization:

St. Louis County

2.D. Extended Field Trip Request

Duluth Public Schools HOSA students in grades eleven and twelve will be traveling to Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota from October 9-11, 2014 to participate in an Emergency Preparedness Camp.  Activities will include lessons in an authentic setting on CPR, First Aide, and Medical Reserve Corps educational training sessions.  The total cost of the trip is $844 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.E. High School Social Studies Adoption

At the July 2014 Education Committee Meeting, Susan Schmidt, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, shared tentative information on the Social Studies Committee recommendation of moving forward with the purchase of Chromebooks in lieu of adopting textbooks for two courses, ninth grade Civics and Geography and eleventh grade International Studies.  This recommendation is based on the nature of the technology-related course requirements and need for up-to-date content making Chromebooks  the most efficient and effective way to deliver the content.  Bart Smith, Technology Supervisor, is recommending the purchase of the Chromebooks, licenses, and etching from CDW-G and from EarthWalk for carts. The total of the adoption is $89,439.30 (270 Chromebooks).