Mr. Von Bank, High School Language Arts teacher, has been asked to come and share some of his experiences using technology to improve instruction and student learning within his classroom.  Mr. Von Bank has experimented with flipped classroom instruction, uses Google.docs extensively in his classes and has been a leader in technology integration into the classroom in our district and beyond.

Mrs. Jeanine Kruschke, JH - SH band director, will be present to discuss the proposed band trip to New York City during spring break, 2014.  Our band and choir have been taking extended trips every 3rd year for some time now and this would be a continuation of that schedule.  The most recent band trip was in March, 2011 to Chicago.

Currently a majority of our school team uniforms are being purchased Activities Director through Under Armor.  Under Armor has approached the athletic department about an exclusive contract for uniform and clothing purchases that would provide the district with a 30-40% savings on uniform purchases and a 10% savings on all other miscellaneous clothing purchases made by the district.  Ms. Sparby will be present to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal and seek input from the board regarding this proposal.

For the past two years, Belle Plaine has authorized a trap shooting team to be run through the Community Education department.  The team has competed with other teams in the MN State High School Trap Shooting League and there has been a year-end tournament to crown a state champion sponsored by the Trap Shooting League.
This year, the MN State High School League has voted to sponsor a MSHSL State Tournament for trap shooting beginning in the spring of 2014.  Ms. Sparby will provide an update on whether this changes the role of our trap shooting club or if changes will be required for our team to be able to compete in the MSHSL tournament. 

With the beginning of student registration for classes next year, I thought it would be useful for board members to get an update from Mr. Kreft on the registration process, our school district course requirements and course selection options that our students have.  I have included a copy of the 12-14 Course Registration Guide for your review.

Over the past two summers, we have sent staff members and administrators to the three day Professional Learning Communities training seminar in Minneapolis as we have begun our PLC journey.  I believe that the knowledge and experiences that our staff have gained from this outstanding professional development event has helped to positively move us forward with our work in PLCs. 
The training is not cheap ($629 per person) plus daily stipends and travel costs that total approximately $900 per employee.  The benefit has been great, however. 
We would like to send our third team of staff to this summer's workshop and are requesting to use reserved staff development dollars to fund this final group attendance at this conference.  We expect that we will have between 25 and 30 attending this year.  Estimated cost for the training is between $25,000 and $30,000.  Over the course of the past three years, we will have had approximately 80% of our staff who have attended these sessions.

Currently we receive our Occupational Therapist services from Carver-Scott Education Cooperative with a purchase of approximately .55 FTE.  Jordan has purchased a similar amount of OT services from the cooperative as well.
In reviewing our OT needs and the cost of contracting for these services through the cooperative, Ms. Denzer has suggested that Belle Plaine and Jordan hire a 1 FTE Occupational Therapist to handle the responsibilities between the two districts.  We would be obligated to offer the position to one of the current employees of the cooperative and we would be very happy to do so.
Estimated savings for each district is $13,500 with this change in operation.  We will still be providing the the same required services with quality personnel to our students.

We are continuing our review of required school district policies with three previously approved policies - 616, 709, and 806, along with a newly required policy 807  for health & safety.  The existing policies are to be reviewed against current revisions provided by MSBA.  If acceptable, the three revised policies will be placed on the regular board meeting agenda for approval as revised and policy 807 be have a first reading of the policy.

Monday, Mar. 25 –   5:30  Finance Committee Mtg.
                                 6:00  Regular Board Mtg.
Monday, Apr. 8    -    6:00 School Board Work Session
Monday, Apr. 22  -    5:30 Finance Committee Mtg.
                                 6:00 Regular Board Mtg.