April 18, 2017 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items - These items are provided for informational purposes only and no action is required.

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Assistant Superintendent's Report

As part of her monthly report, Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki highlighted efforts in teaching and learning across ISD 709. Updates were shared regarding implementation of District initiatives to support teaching and learning.

1.A.2) Language Immersion Program Update

Lowell Elementary School Principal Jen Larva, Spanish Immersion Specialist Crystal Goldman, and American Indian Education Coordinator Edye Howes presented current information about the Misaabekong and Nueva Visión Language Immersion programs. Information included current enrollment efforts, parent and student feedback, and progress of student language acquisition and the importance of cultural perspectives in our school system.

1.A.3) Families in Transition Program Update

Katie Danielson, Families in Transition Program Coordinator, presented information regarding this year's activities, including student demographics that are guiding program opportunities and success stories from graduating 2016-17 unaccompanied youth.

1.A.4) Head Start Review Status

Pam Rees, Head Start Director, provided an update on the Head Start Health and Safety Review findings. No corrective action is required at this time. 

1.A.5) STARBASE Minnesota Presentation

Aaron Salmela, Duluth Public Schools' Science Content Coach, presented information on the STARBASE Minnesota Program.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Minnesota Department of Education ADSIS Grant

Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki has submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Education in the amount of $269,500. If awarded, funds will be used  to support MTSS at the elementary levels in terms of instructional materials, professional development, and staffing. The grant will allow for additional academic support to enhance a student’s ability for success in the general education environment and prevent them from eventually qualifying for special education. This grant will be combined with other funding sources to support MTSS in ISD 709.

1.B.2) Action for Healthy Kids Grant

Josh Gorham, St Louis County Public Health & Human Services, has submitted a grant application on behalf of Lincoln Park Middle School to Action for Healthy Kids in the amount of $2,000. If awarded, funds will be used toward activities that will build on the school’s wellness goals to increase breakfast participation, increase physical activity as a part of the comprehensive school physical activity model, and to ultimately support student well-being and achievement. 

1.B.3) Duluth Superior Community Foundation Grant

Jennifer Sundal, FIT Head Start teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Duluth Superior Community Foundation in the amount of $2000. If awarded, funds will be used to support "Working It Out Thru Play" with a social-emotional focus, including early childhood supplies, dress up and furniture to enhance the dramatic play centers at Washington Center.

1.B.4) Lester Park Foundation Grants

Teachers and staff from Lester Park Elementary School submitted for and received 6 grants from the Lester Park Foundation for a total of $1,952.38. Funds from these grants will be used funds misc. classroom projects and initiatives at Lester Park Elementary School.

1.B.5) Perpich Center for Arts Education Grant

Teri Akervick, Music Specialist and PCAE Regional Center Leader, has submitted a grant application to the Perpich Center for Art Education (PCAE) in the amount of $45,300. If awarded, the Duluth Public Schools will continue to serve as a Regional Center for PCAE in Northeastern Minnesota. Funds will be used for staff development of Arts educators (Music, Visual/Media Arts, Dance and Theater) in Duluth as well as the Arrowhead region. Goals of the regional center are increasing collaboration among arts teachers and training to improve student achievement. The budget provides funding for the Leadership Team, workshops, substitute costs and supplies.

1.C. Regulations

1.C.1) NEW Regulation 513R - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design

Attached is Regulation 513R - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design, to accompany proposed Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design. Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, was present to answer questions.

1.D. Other Informational Items

1.D.1) Externally Sponsored Trip Request

Annette Strom, Ordean East Middle School, will travel to Costa Rica from April 3-11, 2017 with a group of Ordean East Middle School students as an externally sponsored event. The Acknowledgement That The Trip Is Not Sponsored By The School District forms have been completed, signed and submitted to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent by the parent(s)/guardian(s) of all traveling students, along with the Externally Sponsored Trip form signed by Gina Kleive, Ordean East Middle School Principal.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Revised ISD 709 Calendar 2017-18 School Year

Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki presented the revised ISD 709 Calendar 2017-18 School Year for review and approval.

2.A.2) Removal of Chinese World Language Program

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction recommends consideration for phasing out the Chinese World Language Program beginning in the school year 2017-18. The recommendation to phase out the Chinese World Language program is based on low enrollment at both sites. The timeline for the phase out of these courses is attached.

2.A.3) World Language Curriculum Adoptions

The Minnesota Department of Education supports world language achievement for all learners and has established standards that must be based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) world language standards. In order to meet these standards established by ACTFL and MDE, Duluth Public Schools World Language teachers met over the course of the 2016-17 school year to review the standards and options for adopting curriculum. Attached are the proposed curriculum software adoptions for World Language:  Pearson - $92,214.76; Vista Higher Learning - $55,066.60

2.A.4) Head Start Items Requiring Approval

2.A.4)a. Duluth Head Start Federal Grant for 2017-2018 School Year

Pam Rees, Head Start Director, presented the Duluth Head Start Federal Grant Budget for the 2017-2018 school year for acceptance and approval.

2.A.4)b. Head Start Self Assessment

Duluth Head Start has completed their annual Self -Assessment as required by Head Start Performance Standards. Findings are broken down to strengths and weakness. The weaknesses become action items to be addressed in the coming year.

2.A.4)c. Head Start Transportation Waiver

The Duluth Public Schools Head Start Program has an opportunity to provide transportation to 4 year olds enrolled in Head Start on school district buses during the upcoming school year.  Head Start children will be allowed to ride school district K-5 buses if this waiver request is approved.  To be clear, this busing opportunity is only for children who are 4 by September 1st and are enrolled with Head Start dollars.  We propose to waive the regulations for restraints 1303.71(d) and 1303.72(a) (1) and monitors.
1303.72(a) (4)

2.B. Policies

2.B.1) 5050 - Promotion and Retention of Students - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5050, which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 513.

2.B.2) NEW Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 513 for first reading. This policy would replace Policy 5050.

2.C. Grant Awards

2.C.1) Resolution E-04-17-3440 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-04-17-3440 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

Lester Park Foundation

2.D. Extended Field Trip Requests

2.D.1) Duluth East Business Professionals of America (BPA) - Spring Leadership Conference

BPA students from Duluth East High School attended the 43rd Annual Spring Leadership Conference (SLC) held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on March 23-25, 2017. The purpose of the SLC is to provide students with the opportunity to compete in a variety of workplace skill assessments, make recommendations regarding association policies, participate in general assemblies designed to conduct the business of the association and transact business of the association.The total cost of the trip was $4247.32 and was funded by grant dollars and student fees.

2.D.2) Duluth East Business Professionals of America (BPA) - 2017 National BPA Conference

BPA students from Duluth East High School will attend the 2017 National BPA Conference held at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida from May 9-14, 2017. The objective of the BPA National Leadership Conference is to provide student's the opportunity to participate in educational seminars and workshops, hear nationally prominent speakers, elect national student officers, participate in the Workplace Skills Assessment Program, participate in general assemblies designed to conduct the business of Business Professionals of America, transact business of the association and participate in leadership programs. The total cost of the trip will be $6580 and will be funded by grant dollars and student fees.

2.D.3) Myers-Wilkins Grade 5 - Laurentian Environmental Center

Fifth grade students from Myers-Wilkins Elementary will travel to Laurentian Environmental Center in Britt, Minnesota from May 9-10, 2017. Students will participate in experiential science, inquiry and team building activities throughout both days. The total cost of this trip will be $5700 and will be funded by student fees.

2.E. Diploma Requests

The following students have met all graduation requirements for the Duluth Public Schools and should be awarded a Diploma:

Austin James Lamphere - August 19, 2016
Kyle Ray Sailor - March 9, 2017
Courtney Joann Mukes - March 10, 2017
Samantha Rae Bangs - March 16, 2017
Angie Samantha S Mattinas  -March 22, 2017
Troy Michael Tikka - March 22, 2017
Tywan Deonest Carter - March 30, 2017
Gianna Nashae Presley-Baum - March 31, 2017 
Tyler Gregory Schulz - March 31, 2017

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements - None

2.G. Other Action Items - None

3. Future Items

Home Visit Program Update - May
Full Service Community Schools Expansion Update - May
Curriculum Adoptions - May
Policy Updates