1.A. Assistant Superintendent's Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton shared current information regarding implementation of district initiatives and school operations.

1.B. Curriculum and Instruction Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gail Netland shared current information regarding the status of the work of the curriculum and instruction department.

1.C. Grant Applications

1.C.1) Century Link Grant Application

Angela Gauvin, Lincoln Park Middle School, has submitted a grant application to Century Link in the amount of $5,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase Chromebooks for the Special Education Department at Lincoln Park.

1.C.2) Rotary Duluth Grant Application

Timothy Churchill, Ordean East Middle School, has submitted a grant application to Rotary Duluth in the amount of $5,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase materials to continue building and maintaining the OEMS FTC Robotics Club, including hardware and electronic supplies.  If successful as a recipient, OEMS FTC will provide outreach and demonstrations to schools and businesses showcasing the club, STEM education, and OEMS.

1.C.3) The Northwoods Women in Science (NWIS) Grant Application

Timothy Churchill, Ordean East Middle School, has submitted a grant application to the Northwoods Women in Science (NWIS) in the amount of $500. If awarded, funds will be used to help purchase up to 3 kits of Sphero programmable devices. The Sphero's will be used to teach Computer Science principles by learning to code. This grant is being sought as an additional amount to supplement grants received and grants pending.

1.D. Externally Sponsored Trip Notification

Lee Kruger, Duluth East High School Travel Club Adviser, will travel to England and France from April 5-13, 2019 with a group of Duluth East High School students as an externally sponsored event. Travel Club is an opportunity for students to travel abroad as an educational opportunity every other year over Spring Break. Externally sponsored trips involve travel to a foreign country, are voluntary in nature, and are not sponsored or approved by Duluth Public Schools ISD 709.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) ISD 709 Calendar 2019-20 School Year - REVISED

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton presented the revised ISD 709 Calendar 2019-20 School Year for review and approval. The ISD 709 Calendar 2019-20 School Year was accepted and approved at the December 18, 2018 Duluth School Board meeting, however there was an error in placement of the Thanksgiving Holiday Recess. 

2.B. Resolutions

2.B.1) Resolution E-1-19-3619 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-1-19-3619 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation
Lester Park Foundation

2.B.2) Resolution E-1-19-3620 - Resolution of School Board Supporting Form B Application to Minnesota State High School League Foundation

Attached is Resolution E-1-19-3620 - Resolution of School Board Supporting Form B Application to Minnesota State High School League Foundation. Resolution E-1-19-3620 supports Duluth East High School's application to the Minnesota State High School League Foundation for a Form B grant in the amount of $3,095. These grants assist school districts in providing seminars/training opportunities or support for specific schools functions for students/faculty members/officials and others who are involved in athletic and fine art programs.

2.C. Policies

2.C.1) 5123 - Crisis Management Policy - DELETION

Administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 5123, which will be replaced with Policy 806 - Crisis Management Policy.

2.C.2) NEW Policy 806 - Crisis Management Policy

Attached is Policy 806 - Crisis Management Policy for the first reading. This policy would replace Policy 5123.

2.C.3) NEW Policy 535 - Disproportionate Enrollment

Attached is Policy 535 - Disproportionate Enrollment for the first reading.

2.D. Extended Trip Requests

2.D.1) Extended Trip Request - Denfeld High School Orchestra

Orchestra students from Denfeld High School will travel to New York, NY from April 8-14,2019. Students will engage in a multitude of sightseeing and artistic, cultural and educational opportunities including but not limited to Niagara Falls State Park, a Broadway show, New York Philharmonic concert and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This trip will be funded by fundraising opportunities throughout the school year and Music Boosters. 

2.E. Diploma Requests

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

Adam Jagello - December 12, 2018
Takia B. Harper - December 14, 2018
Gavin Michael Benoit - December 20, 2018
Da'Montae Tremone Simmons - January 17, 2019
Christopher Delbert Johnson - January 17, 2019

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements

It is requested that the following organizations be granted access to the Student Information System to support District functions from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019:

Duluth Area Family YMCA (TrueNorth Americorp, 21st Century, Y USA)

3. Future Items

Policy Updates