March 20, 2018 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. Assistant Superintendent's Report

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

1.B. Informational Presentations

1.B.1) Record of Continuous Improvement (RCI) Presentations

Throughout the school year each school will be providing an update to the school board regarding their school improvement plan called Record of Continuous Improvement. The work on the RCI is being led by the Continuous Improve Team (CIT).  Each school has gone through a comprehensive needs assessment and developed action steps to improve student outcomes. This month the following school reviewed the continuous improvement process for their site: Lincoln Park Middle School.

1.B.2) Graduation Strategies and 2016-17 Graduation Rate Data

Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki presented information on district led initiates to support student achievement and increase graduation rates. Dr. Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance, presented information on the 2016-17 Graduation Rates for the Duluth Public Schools, which was released by the Minnesota Department of Education in February 2018.

1.C. Regulations

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

Administration is recommending the revision of Regulation 513R, to include elementary retention and early admission to kindergarten testing criteria.

1.C.2) 5050.1R - Retention Regulations - Elementary K-6 - DELETION

Administration is recommending the deletion of Regulation 5050.1R, which will become part of revised Regulation 513R.

1.D. Grant Applications

1.D.1) Wells Fargo Grant Application - Denfeld High School Career Center

Geri Saari, Denfeld High School, has submitted a grant application to Wells Fargo in the amount of $1,000. If awarded, funds will be used to support Denfeld's Career Center. The Career Center provides students with information/education needed to prepare them for their future beyond high school. Students are taught a variety of skills including resume writing, job/college applications, obtaining money for college, financial literacy, etc.

1.D.2) Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application - Denfeld Reading Lab

Carla Harrold, Denfeld High School, has submitted a grant application to the DSACF in the amount of $5,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase Chromebooks and assorted texts to support fluency instruction and assessment in the Denfeld Reading Lab.

1.D.3) Lowe's Grant Application - Homecroft Elementary School

Melissa Janzen, Homecroft Elementary School, has submitted a grant application to Lowe's in the amount of $5,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase snowshoes and indoor recess equipment. Funds will also be used to pay for plans to be drawn up to resolve drainage issues with the field at Homecroft Elementary School. Ms. Janzen is working closely with Facilities Management regarding her intent to obtain supplemental funding to resolve the drainage issue.

1.D.4) Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund Grant Application - Lester Park Elementary School

Susan Mikel, Lester Park Elementary School, has submitted a grant application to the Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund in the amount of $767. If awarded, funds will be used to support the 3Rs - Rock and Read with Real Life project at Lester Park Elementary with the purchase three Hokki Stools and leveled informational texts for the classroom.

1.D.5) Minnesota PBIS North Regional Implementation Project Spring 2018 Grant Applications

Both the ISD 709 District PBIS Team and the Denfeld PBIS Team submitted for and received Team Meeting Mini-Grants from the Minnesota PBIS North Regional Implementation Project PBIS Award Program Spring 2018 in the amounts of $785.40 (District) and $800 (Denfeld). Funds will be used for team meetings and action planning, including substitute pay or teacher pay.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) FY19 Achievement and Integration (AI) Budget Presentation

William Howes, Office of Education Equity Coordinator, presented the proposed FY19 Achievement and Integration (AI) Budget.

2.A.2) Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence 2017-18

Edye Howes, American Indian Education Coordinator, presented the Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence Report for review and approval. The Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence is submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education on behalf of the Duluth Public Schools American Indian Education Programs Parent Advisory Committee.

2.A.3) Elementary Math Workbooks

Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the purchase of Math Expressions consumable math workbooks to support elementary math for 2018-19. The total expenditure for the purchase is $63,274.47. The majority of the purchase will be from Follett Corporation for $52,656.27, with the remainder coming from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for $10,618.20. This purchase replaces our elementary consumable workbooks for all students in grades K-5.

2.B. Policies

2.B.1) 5010 - Age of Entrance - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5010, which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 607.

2.B.2) 6085 - Organizational Plan for the Delivery of Instruction - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 6085, which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 607.

2.B.3) NEW Policy 607 - Organization of Grade Levels

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 607 for the first reading. This policy would replace Policies 5010 and 6085.

2.B.4) Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design

Administration is recommending the revision of Policy 513. Attached is revised Policy 513 for the first reading.

2.C. Resolutions

2.C.1) Resolution E-3-18-3530 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-3-18-3530 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

MN Dept of Ed - Minnesota PBIS
Wells Fargo

2.D. Diploma Requests

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

Andre Owens - March 12, 2018
Damian Wyatt White - March 9, 2018
Devon R. Bruckelmyer - March 13, 2018

2.E. Extended Trip Requests

2.E.1) Extended Trip Request - SkillsUSA

Students from Denfeld and East High School will travel to the SkillsUSA Technical Skills Competition in Bloomington, MN from March 27-29, 2018. This trip will provide students with the opportunity to qualify for national competition. The total cost of this trip is $2,407 and will be funded with grant funds and student fees.

2.E.2) Extended Trip Request - Wolf Ridge ELC - Lowell Elementary

Fourth grade students from Lowell Elementary will travel to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota from April 25 - 27, 2018. During this event, students will participate in classes lead by environmental educators both indoors and out. These classes focused on Minnesota Science Standards, team building and building positive self confidence. The total cost of the trip is $8,100 and will be financed through fund raising activities and student and chaperon fees.

3. Future Items

Head Start/Duluth Preschool Update - April
EEAC Advisory Committee Update - May
Policy Updates