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) Support Program for Accelerated Students

In the past the school district served students identified as gifted and talented via a once a week pull-out program in grades 3-5 with 1.5 FTE. This year the district has committed to evaluating the program to ensure we are offering our students the best research supported practices in gifted education. Colleen Moran, Gifted and Talented Services TOSA, presented the revamped model which will involve adjusting the identification procedure to ensure greater equity, as well as revamped services to be in line with the district's move to the multi tiered systems of support model. 

1.A.3) Lincoln Park Middle School Parent Teacher Home Visit Program Update

Katie Oliver and John Nachtscheim, Lincoln Park Middle School, presented an update on the Parent Teacher Home Visit Program, including data and anecdotes. The program is showing to be very successful and well received by all parties involved.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Minnesota Department of Education - 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant

Tracie Clanaugh, Duluth Area Family YMCA, has submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Education - 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant in the amount of $475,000. If awarded, funds will be used to support after school programs at Stowe, Laura MacArthur, Piedmont, Lowell, Lincoln Park Middle School and Myers Wilkins through the Myers-Wilkins Community School Collaborative. Specifically grant funds will pay for Family Liaisons and Site Coordinators to implement a school connectedness model where after school leadership works to connect with classroom teachers and other school personnel on effective connections to be made between the program and the school-day.

1.C. Regulations - NONE

1.D. Other Informational Items - NONE

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) K-5 English Language Arts & Reading Adoption

Dr. Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the K-5 English Language Arts and Reading Curriculum Adoption proposal for review and approval. The total cost of the purchase of Wonders by McGraw Hill will be $781,533.15.

2.B. Policies

2.B.1) 5050 - Promotion and Retention of Students - DELETION

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies, administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5050, which will be replaced with MSBA Policy 513.

2.B.2) NEW Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design

Attached is revised MSBA Policy 513 for second reading. This policy would replace Policy 5050.

2.C. Resolutions

2.C.1) Resolution E-05-17-3446 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-05-17-3446 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

DSACF - Duluth Public Schools Fund
MDE - Alternative Delivery of Specialized Services (ADSIS)
US Dept of Education - Spurwink

2.C.2) Resolution E-05-17-3447 - Response to American Indian Education Resolution of Concurrence and Non-concurrence 2016

Attached is Resolution E-05-17-3447 - Response to AIE Resolution of Concurrence and Non-concurrence 2016, in response to recommendations made by the AIE Parent Committee.

2.D. Extended Field Trip Requests

2.D.1) SkillsUSA Culinary Arts National Competition
Culinary Arts students will travel to the SkillsUSA Culinary Arts National Competition from June 19-June 24, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. The total cost of the trip will be $2424 and will be funded by grant dollars and student fees.

2.D.2) HOSA International Leadership Conference

Eleventh and twelfth grade HOSA students will travel to Disney's Coronado Springs in Orlando, Florida for the HOSA International Leadership Conference from June 20-June 26, 2017. The total cost of the trip will be $12,231 and will be funded by grant dollars and student fees.

2.E. Diploma Requests

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

Emily Susan Reno - April 12, 2017
Fhenix Elijah Savage - April 17, 2017
Jerrod Ronald Sundberg - April 19, 2017
Benjamin Ryan Crettol - April 20, 2017
Christian Michael Hanten - April 28, 2017
Chloe' Mary-Ellen Jacobson - April 28, 2017
Marrissa Meunier - April 28, 2017

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements - NONE

2.G. Other Action Items - NONE

3. Future Items

Wellness Policy Update (June)