February 28, 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) Farm to School Program Update - TABLED until March 2017

With the culmination of the USDA Farm to School Grant in December 2016, and the recent support of Essentia Health to carry forward Farm to School efforts, Renee Willemsen, Healthy Northland Farm to School Education Coordinator, will provide a project update to share the many ways that Farm to School is benefiting student health while providing cross-discipline learning opportunities.

1.A.3) 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant and K.E.Y Zone Presentation

Tracie Clanaugh, Executive Director of the Community Services YMCA, and Jay Roesler, Director of Community Education for ISD 709, provided an update on the K.E.Y. Zone and True North AmeriCorps partnership. Presentation included outcomes from the fourth year of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant and the second year of the True North AmeriCorps grant.

1.A.4) Career Technical Education (CTE) Program Update

February is CTE Month. CTE Month is a public awareness national campaign held each February to celebrate Career and Technical Education and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs and students across the country. In honor of CTE Month, Bradley Vieths, Vocational Program Coordinator, provided an update regarding the Career Technical Education (CTE) Program within Duluth Public Schools.

1.A.5) Process for Reviewing Secondary Schedule Options

On behalf of Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki presented the proposed Process for Reviewing Secondary Schedule Options. As a school district, we recognize that our current secondary schedule (6-period day) could be improved to allow for broader program options for students and more support for teaching and learning. Many different types of schedules exist. Before making a selection on a potential schedule change, the full range of options should be considered. The process below is intended to gain a full range of feedback from our stakeholders groups, consider our organizational priorities in best supporting our students and consider other factors that impact the school day. The purpose of engaging in this process would be to arrive at a well researched conclusion for possible schedule alternatives that will position ISD 709 for long range success in supporting our students and community.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Minnesota Department of Education Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) Grant

Duluth Public Schools has submitted and received a grant totaling $19,777 from the Minnesota Department of Education. This grant will support further implementation of SW-PBIS through the MDE Cohort process. To date, SW-PBIS Cohort schools include Denfeld High School and Lincoln Park Middle School (sustaining cohort 8), Piedmont Elementary School (cohort 11) and Lakewood Elementary and Lowell Elementary Schools (cohort 12), with plans for 1-2 schools to apply and join a cohort each year.

1.B.2) Minnesota Reading Association Grant

Polly Tracey, Ordean East Middle School English teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Reading Association in the amount of $899.25. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase of 2 class sets of the graphic novel, March: Book Three by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, with the intent of incorporating this book into a Social Justice Unit as a companion text to Revolution by Deborah Wiles for 8th grade Language Arts classes. This book will represent the addition of a nonfiction text for a Civil Rights Unit.

1.C. Regulations - NONE

1.D. Other Informational Items - NONE

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) 2018-2020 Achievement and Integration (AI) Plan Presentation

William Howes, Office of Education Equity Coordinator, presented the proposed Achievement and Integration (AI) Plan for 2018-2020.

2.B. Policies

2.B.1) 6300 - Wellness Policy - DELETION - TABLED

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 6300, which will be replace with MSBA Policy 533.

2.B.2) NEW Policy 533 - Wellness - TABLED

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 533 for second reading. This policy would replace Policy 6300.

2.C. Grant Awards

2.C.1) Resolution E-02-17-3429 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-02-17-3429 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

Minnesota Department of Education

2.D. Extended Field Trip Requests

2.D.1) Flint Hills Resources Science Matters Overnight Camp-In - Lakewood Elementary School

Students from Lakewood Elementary School will travel to the Science Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minnesota from April 13-14, 2017 for the Flint Hills Resources Science Matters Overnight Camp-In. Students will explore Science Stations featuring hands-on science investigations and one-of-a-kind Exhibit Galleries, discovering how science impacts their lives and the future. The total cost of this trip will be funded by Flint Hills Resources.

2.D.2) SkillsUSA 2017 State Conference - Duluth Denfeld Automotive Club

Students from Denfeld High School's Automotive Club will travel to Bloomington, Minnesota from March 31-April 2, 2017 for the SkillsUSA 2017 State Conference. Students will participate in the Minnesota State skill contests, attend personal development training workshops, technical seminars and learn more about post-secondary career choices, finances, educational sessions and employment opportunities. The total cost of the trip is $1939 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.D.3) HOSA 11th and 12th Grade 2017 Spring Leadership and State Competition - Duluth East & Denfeld 

Eleventh and twelfth grade students Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) from Denfeld and Duluth East High Schools will travel to Bloomington, Minnesota from March 21-March 24, 2017 for the 2017 MN HOSA Spring Leadership Conference and State Competition. This competition allows students to explore career opportunities in the health care industry to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare.The total cost of the trip is $6015 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.E. Diploma Requests

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

Tai Tan Nguyen, January 6, 2017
Linae Lori Bruckelmyer, January 12, 2017
Sheila M. O'Konek, January 17, 2017
Marisol Sanchez, January 20, 2017
Emric Gabie Howard, January 23, 2017
Tony Inthompradith, January 23, 2017
Christopher Romello Jones, January 23, 2017
Donovan M. Sohm, January 25, 2017
Da'Najia Mae Hollman, February 1, 2017
Hunter Arlen Rackliffe, February 7, 2017
Danielle Marie Floyd, February 9, 2017

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements - NONE

2.G. Other Action Items - NONE

3. Future Items

Language Immersion Update
Check and Connect Program Update
Healthy Northland Farm to School Program Update
Wellness Policy Revision/Replacement