1. MSBA Workshops are taking place at the end of February in person at St. Cloud or virtually.  Each board member should have received an email from MSBA.  If you would like to register for a training, please contact Angel to let her know you would like to attend and which trainings you are interested in.
2. Referendum Update-The Project Oversight Committee met on Wednesday evening to discuss the status of the referendum projects.  I have attached the most recent updates. You can see updates on our Facebook page each Monday.
3. MASA/MASE Spring Conference is on March 9th and 10th. I am registered and plan to attend the conference.
4. Legislative Update: Wednesday, March 15th is the MASA Region VI Day at the Capitol.  I have been in contact with Representative Mekeland and Senator Mathews and their staff. They both have been very helpful throughout the past year in dealing with legislative and school issues.  They have both been very supportive of Becker School District and available with school related legislation. In addition, I would like to encourage everyone to take the time to view the Governor's budget plan. The current government surplus is extraordinary.  With the amount of money being saved by our state with lower education costs due to less than anticipated enrollment and the tremendous surplus there are opportunities available to make differences in people's lives and in schools throughout Minnesota.  
   Highlights - Governor Walz
   ·Increasing the per-pupil formula by 4% and 2%
   ·Reducing the special education and English Language Learner cross-subsidies
   ·Increase teacher recruitment efforts and mentoring
   ·Additional funding to support free meals for students
   ·Expanding access to prekindergarten and Voluntary PreK
   ·Funding to support student mental health
5. Graduation and Prom Update
6. February is School Board Appreciation Month. We have submitted an article to the "Patriot", placed information on our marquee board and on social media thanking you.  We thank you for making the difficult decisions to help improve our student learning environment.

I recommend approval of the personnel report as listed.

In alignment with MN Statute, Section 124D.78, Subdivision 1, we must establish an American Indian Advisory Committee to serve in an advisory role.  We are also required by the Commissioner of Education to submit annual compliance of Concurrence and Nonconcurrence by March 1^st of each year.  Community Education Director, Michelle Peacock, and I recommend approval of the AIPAC document showing Concurrence by Sarah Colford who is the chairperson of the AIPAC.
 

I recommend approving the enclosed resolution directing the administration to propose the discontinuance of positions and/or programs for the next school year. The school board approves the resolution each February authorizing the administration to review all programs and positions in developing budget recommendations for the next school year.

Policy 706 Acceptance of Gifts permits the school board to accept donations or gifts under the terms of the policy.  I recommend accepting the gifts as described in the enclosure.  Thank you to those who have donated to our schools and students.

Policy 208, Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies Article IV, Subd. D allows for minor changes that do not affect the substance of policy or because of a legal change over which the school board has no control, may be approved at one meeting.  In addition, Article V, Subd. D states the school board shall review policies at least once every three years.
Changes to the attached policies may include formatting or legal references.