1.A. Assistant Superintendent's Report

1.A.1) 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 and lessons learned from site visits.

1.B. Grant Partnerships with Duluth Public Schools

1.B.1) Energy Problem Solving Duluth Grant

Bill Mittlefehldt, UMD Northeast CERT Coordinator, and Emily Krebsbach, Ecolibrium 3 Green Corps member, have submitted a grant application to the Northland Foundation and Northern Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership in the amount of $8500. If awarded, funds will be used in a pilot project to add STEM skills, clarify character priorities and harness leadership in Duluth students at Lincoln Park and Ordean East Middle Schools, Duluth East and Denfeld High Schools and Woodland Hills Academy. Students will be rewarded with Service Learning and Civic honors for contributing to the increased energy efficiency of our community while addressing energy and climate concerns. This problem-solving learning concept is consistent with state, city and school system goals for civic engagement, service learning and STEM skills. 

1.B.2) P&I Chemical Awareness Grant

Jeff Bradt, CEO, Woodland Hills, has submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division in the amount of $1,555,905 .  If awarded, funds will be used to utilize a collective impact model to implement Community-Level Interventions to reduce youth alcohol use through community-based Planning and Implementation (P&I) grants. Grant funds have been allocated for a Duluth Public Schools staff member to serve as a Youth Group Coordinator or Club Leader and (.1) FTE has been budgeted for a District employee to provide direct supervision of the Coordinator position.

1.C. Grant Applications

1.C.1) Federal Head Start Grant Application

Pam Rees, Head Start Director, has submitted a grant application to the Federal Head Start Grant for FY 16-17 in the amount of $1,934,071  If awarded, funds will be used to support 16 half day preschool classroom sessions at 5 elementary schools and includes all related expenses to serve 255 children and families.  The grant total also includes $28,948 in Training and Technical Assistance dollars that must be used to support ongoing training needs and areas in need of improvement based on the Duluth Head Start Self-Assessment and Community Assessment. Pam Rees was present to answer questions about the Federal Head Start Grant and Duluth Head Start Self-Assessment and Community Assessment.

1.C.2) Perpich Center for Arts Education Grant Application

Teri Akervick, Music Specialist and PCAE Regional Center Leader, has submitted a grant application to the Perpich Center for Art Education (PCAE) in the amount of $45,300. If awarded, the Duluth Public Schools will continue to serve as a Regional Center for PCAE in Northeastern Minnesota. Funds will be used for staff development of Arts educators (Music, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Dance and Theater) in Duluth as well as the Arrowhead region. Goals of the regional center are increasing collaboration among arts teachers and training to improve student achievement. The budget provides funding for the Regional Center Leader, coordinator/leadership team members, workshops, substitute costs and supplies.

1.C.3) Lester Park Foundation Spring 2016 Grant Applications

Teachers and staff from Lester Park Elementary Schools have submitted grant applications to the Lester Park Foundation for a total approximate amount of $2000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase a variety of classroom and school garden supplies.

1.C.4) Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation Fund and the Community Leaders Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Duluth Public Schools has submitted a grant proposal to the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation in the amount of $24,100. If awarded, funds will be used to support the annual week-long Scott Anderson Leadership Forum in the summer of 2016.

1.D. Informational Presentations

1.D.1) 2015 Graduation Data

Amy Starzecki, Assistant Superintendent, and Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented information regarding district initiatives to address graduation rates. Dr. Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance presented information on the 2015 Graduation Rates for the Duluth Public Schools, which was released by the Minnesota Department of Education on February 22, 2016.

2. Action Items

2.A. Extended Field Trip Requests

2.A.1) Culinary Arts Students from Denfeld and Duluth East High School traveled to the Minnesota SkillsUSA Championship Conference in Bloomington, MN from April 1-3, 2016.  There, approximately 350 business and industry leaders get together and present nearly 70 skill and leadership contests that they have prepared for the student members from across the state.  These are entry-level, hands-on skill contests, evaluated by the same industry leaders who prepare them.  The competitions are based on industry driven occupational skill standards.  First place winners from each division in most contests will be offered the opportunity to go on to a national level competition. SkillsUSA Minnesota is one of the Career & Technical Student Organizations offered in Minnesota’s school systems. SkillsUSA serves high school and college students enrolled in technical, skilled, service and health occupations.This total estimated cost of the trip is $1618 and was financed through student fees and District funds.

2.A.2) Duluth East Social Justice Club Students from Duluth East High School will be traveling to WE Day Illinois in Rosemont, Illinois from April 27-28, 2016. WE Day is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. We Day Illinois is a trip to develop and reward student leadership. Students from East Social Justice Club will have the opportunity to aesthetically engage in the internationally renowned "WE Day" experience. The goal for students who attend the WE Day experience will be to increase interest, leadership and engagement in involvement and awareness around human rights and social justice issues. The total estimated cost of the trip is $4362 and will be financed through student fees, Booster group and District funds.

2.A.3) Students from Denfeld and Duluth East High School will be traveling to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Louisville, Kentucky from June 20 - June 24, 2016. NLSC is a showcase where more than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students –– all state contest winners –– will compete hands-on in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields for scholarship opportunities. The total estimated cost of this trip is $3430 and will be financed through student fees and District funds.

2.A.4) Eleventh and twelfth grade students from Denfeld and Duluth East High School will travel to Nashville, Tennessee from June 21-25, 2016 for the National HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Competition. HOSA is a National Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) endorsed be the Department of Education and the Health Occupations Education Division of the Association of Career and Tech Education. The mission of HOSA is to enhance delivery of compassionate, quality healthcare by providing opportunities for knowledge , skills and leadership development of all healthcare occupations education students, therefore helping the students meet the needs of the healthcare community. The event represents the national 'finals' for students each year as the compete in areas of interest at one or more of the 44 events. Students are challenged and recognized for their work throughout the year through competitions, educational sessions, exhibitors booths, awards and recognition sessions. The top ten students placing in each event are recognized with awards. The total cost of the trip is $21,212 and will be financed through student fees and District funds.

2.B. Grant Awards

2.B.1) Resolution 3362- Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution 3362 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation Fund and the Community Leaders Fund - Scott Anderson Leadership Forum

2.C. Policies and Regulations

2.C.1) 5025 - Attendance Policy - Deletion

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5025 which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 503.

2.C.2) New Policy 503 - Attendance Policy

Attached is MSBA model policy 503 - Attendance, for the second reading. This policy would replace the current policy 5025.

2.D. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.D.1) Duluth Head Start Self Assessment

Duluth Head Start has completed their annual Self -Assessment as required by Head Start Performance Standards. Findings are broken down to strengths and weakness. The weaknesses become action items to be addressed in the coming year.

2.D.2) Duluth Head Start Community Assessment

Duluth Head Start has completed their annual Community Assessment as required by Head Start Performance Standards. The Community Assessment data helps Head Start determine such things as where sites should be located, community needs that must be addressed and trends that may effect families served by Head Start.

2.E. Diploma Requests

Attached are the Diploma Requests of students who have met all graduation requirements for the Duluth Public Schools and should be awarded a Diploma.

3. Future Items

- Policy Updates
- Secondary Programming Structure