April 23, 2019 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

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton shared current information regarding implementation of district initiatives and school operations.

1.B. Curriculum and Instruction Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gail Netland Froyd shared current information regarding the status of the work of the curriculum and instruction department.

1.C. Art Adoption Update

Art Specialist Deb Hannu shared an informational update on the arts adoption process.

1.D. Update on Federal Head Start Status

Duluth Head Start Director Pam Rees shared the latest developments with the Federal Head Start grant status.

1.E. Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence 2018-19

American Indian Education Coordinator Edye Howes shared the Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence Report for review. 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.

1.F. Grant Applications

1.F.1) Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton has submitted a grant application to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in the amount of $10,000. If awarded, funds will be used to provide professional development for continuous improvement teams on the Tool for Equity Accountability.

1.F.2) United to End Bullying (UEB) - Safe Fleet Grant Application

Callie DeVriendt, Lincoln Park Middle School, has submitted a grant application to the United to End Bullying Grant Program in the amount of $50,000. If awarded, funds will be used for restorative practice training, consultation needs and restorative spaces/supplies at Lincoln Park Middle School.

1.F.3) NoVo Foundation Grant Application

Todd McGowan, Myers-Wilkins Elementary School, has submitted a grant application to the NoVo Foundation in the amount of $5,000. If awarded. funds will be used to develop peer led interventions as a way for students to build supportive networks in which they feel safe to discuss concerns about themselves and others. The purpose of this program is to foster growth and connectedness at an early age for students to build interpersonal and leadership skills that will last throughout their academic career.

1.F.4) Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Bill Mittlefehldt and Principal Tonya Sconiers, Denfeld High School, have submitted a grant application to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in the amount of $29,000. If awarded, funds will be used to support the Denfeld Full Service Coordinator's work with staff, community school partners and students as they work to develop a system of relationships and rewards that help build a world class workforce and citizens.

1.F.5) Northland Foundation Grant Application

Jen Jaros, Duluth Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), has submitted for and received a grant from the Northland Foundation in the amount of $5,000. Funds will be used to support the Child Care Provider Mentorship Program. This is an ongoing partnership with the Northland Foundation to promote school readiness and transition.

1.F.6) Essentia Health Grant Application

Principal Jen Larva, Lowell Elementary School, has submitted for and received a grant from Essentia Health in the amount of $5,000. Funds will be used to support the expansion of Lowell's nature playscape and to sustain the DNR certified school forest so that students may further benefit from outdoor play.

1.G. Grant Partnerships with Duluth Public Schools

1.G.1) 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 8

The Duluth Area Family YMCA in partnership with the Duluth Public Schools Community Education Dept. intends to apply for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program offered by the Minnesota Department of Education. Funding is available to establish, sustain and expand community learning centers in order to provide students, particularly those who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, with high quality programs for supporting the whole child. If awarded funds would be used to support grant initiatives within the KEY Zone program with possible expansion to serve middle and high school students. The minimum grant award allowed is $50,000 annually for up to five (5) years.

1.G.2) "Out of the Box" at Lincoln Park Middle School

A collaboration of Lincoln Park community members intend to apply for a grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation in the amount of $20,000. If awarded, funds will be used to support "Out of the Box", an innovative partnership with ISD 709, neighborhood nonprofit Ecolibrium3, and design professionals, to teach design thinking to Lincoln Park Middle School students through creative, inspiring activities that link skills development and community impact. "Out of the Box" will employ design thinking to develop a comprehensive program that integrates into weekly WINs, after school programming, and summer sessions, closing the opportunity gap for low-income students.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) FY20 Federal Head Start Grant

Duluth Head Start Director Pam Rees presented an overview of the FY20 Federal Head Start Grant application for approval.

2.A.2) Fine Arts Adoption

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gail Netland Froyd presented the Fine Arts Adoption proposal for review and approval. This included budget recommendations for both the music and art content areas.

2.B. Policies

2.B.1) 1083 - Weapons Free Zone - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 1083 - Weapons Free Zone, which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 501 - School Weapons Policy.

2.B.2) NEW Policy 501 - School Weapons Policy

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 501 - School Weapons Policy, for the second reading. This policy would replace Policy 1083 - Weapons Free Zone.

2.C. Resolutions

2.C.1) Resolution E-4-19-3636 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-4-19-3636 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

DSACF - Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund
Essentia Health
Wells Fargo
Northland Foundation

2.D. Extended Trip Requests

2.D.1) Extended Trip Request - Denfeld Automotive ASE Program - SkillsUSA

Denfeld Automotive ASE Program students traveled to Bloomington, MN from April 12-14, 2019 to participate in the SkillsUSA Minnesota 2019 Sate Leadership and Skills Championship Conference. The cost of this trip was $1,175 and was funded by the Perkins grant, Booster Club and 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:

Patricia A. Osuna - January 8, 2019
MarieLena Cendejas-Flores - March 21, 2019
Van D. Grounds - March 27, 2019
Brady Leland Farr - April 4, 2019
Brenan Richard Phipps - April 18, 2019

3. Future Items

8th Grade Math Pilot Update
Policy Updates