1.A. 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.B. Informational Presentations

1.B.1) Summary of Duluth Public Schools' Annual School Improvement Goals

Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki provided a summary of all Duluth Public Schools' annual school improvement goals and key strategies for improvement.

1.B.2) First Witness Presentation

The First Witness Child Advocacy Center and Duluth Public Schools' partnership brings a number of services to students, families and educators. Each Fall, First Witness presents the Safe and Strong Program, developmentally appropriate instruction that focuses on body safety, to elementary students. First Witness also supports individual families and provides consultation to educators intervening with students and families. Representatives from First Witness Advocacy Center presented an overview of services provided to our community, a report of program activities from last year and information regarding future programming.

1.C. Grant Applications

1.C.1) Essentia Health Grant Application - Children's Dental Services

Pam Rees, Head Start Director, has submitted a grant application to Essentia Health in the amount of $3,750. If awarded, funds will be used to pay for Children's Dental Services for children in Head Start who have had their health coverage lapse or dropped. This grant would fund dental services for 125 children at $30 per child.

1.C.2) Essentia Health Grant Application - CTE - Future Health Care Providers

Brad Vieths, Vocational Programs Coordinator, has submitted a grant application to Essentia Health in the amount of $4,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase scrubs and support club activities for Duluth Public Schools students in the Health Occupations Program.

1.C.3) Duluth East High School Foundation Grant - Circle of Friends

Cassie Letourneau, Duluth East High School Special Education teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Duluth East High School Foundation in the amount of $500. If awarded, funds will be used to support Circle of Friends. Circle of Friends strives to reduce bullying and create a more inclusive school culture at East High School that promotes disability awareness, acceptance and friendship. Students participate in activities that promote collaboration, friendship and cooperation between students with and without disabilities.

1.D. Regulations - NONE

1.E. Other Informational Items - NONE

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) ISD 709 Calendar 2017-18 School Year

Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki presented the recommended ISD 709 Calendar 2017-18 School Year for review and approval. The recommended calendar was also presented to and approved by the Quality Steering Committee at their November 10, 2016 meeting.

2.A.2) Elementary Math Materials for 2017-18

Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the curriculum department's recommendation of the purchase of consumable math texts for the 2017-18 school year in the amount of $85,945.50. This purchase will help to keep our current curriculum materials in place as we move toward our next adoption of math materials, tentatively scheduled for the 2022-23 school year. Our past adoption was timed to coincide with the adoption of new math standards. The Minnesota legislature adjusted the curriculum standards adoption timeline at the state level, which has left gap years between our previously contracted adoption and the implementation of new standards.

2.B. Grant Awards

2.B.1) Resolution E-12-16-3411 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-12-16-3411 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

Duluth East High School Foundation

2.C. Extended Field Trip Requests

Fifth grade students from Lakewood Elementary School will be traveling to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota from February 6-8, 2017. This trip will provide students with an experiential learning opportunity, 8 classes connecting outdoor educational experiences with science and social-emotional standards. The total cost of the trip will be $7845 and will be funded with student fees.

2.D. Policies

2.D.1) 5154 - Student Disability Nondiscrimination - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5154 which will be replace with MSBA Policy 521.

2.D.2) NEW Policy 521 - Student Disability Nondiscrimination

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 521 for first reading, This policy would replace the current Policy 5154.

2.D.3) 5155 - Special Education Services For Students With Disabilities - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5155 which will be replace with MSBA Policy 608.

2.D.4) NEW Policy 608 - Instructional Services - Special Education

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 608 for first reading, This policy would replace the current Policy 5155.

2.E. Diploma Requests

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

Hunter James Coughlin - November 9, 2016
Joseph M. Brown - November 10, 2016
Christopher A. Ream - November 10, 2016
Linde Raymon Parker - December 2, 2016
Jacob T. Johnson - December 8, 2016
John Conrad Davis - December 12, 2016

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements

2.F.1) It is requested that the following organizations be granted access to the Student Information System to support District functions from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

MN State University, Mankato
Myers-Wilkins Community School Collaborative

2.G. Other Action Items - NONE

3. Future Items

Wellness Policy Update
21st CCLC/Key Zone Presentation