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 Froyd shared current information regarding the status of the work of the curriculum and instruction department.

1.C. Grant Applications

1.C.1) Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabricators Association Educational Trust Grant Application

Donald Simons, Engineering and Industrial Arts Instructor, has submitted a grant application to the Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabricators Association Educational Trust in the amount of $37,056. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase and install machinery to provide trade based college classes and articulate 14 college credits in the high schools' advance manufacturing program.

1.C.2) Sand County Foundation Pollinator Habitat Grant Application

John Rudolph, Duluth East High School Biology, Plant Science and Forestry-Fish-Wildlife Management teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Sand County Foundation in the amount of $1,000. If awarded, funds will be used to build a pollinator garden along the entrance to the East High School outdoor classroom. Successful applicants will receive 640 small seedlings of five native forb species, teachers will receive a training webinar, remote consultation from a private native plant nursery, and a $1,000 cash award paid to the school district to offset project expenses.

1.C.3) Thrivent Financial Grant Application

Jennifer Fuchs, Lincoln Park Middle School TOSA Den Coordinator and School Social Worker, has submitted a grant application to Thrivent Financial in the amount of $250. If awarded, funds will be used for supplies for restorative practice tool kits that teachers can use in their classrooms during WIN and for Tier 1 social emotional lessons.

1.C.4) Rotary Club #25 Grant Application

Jill Lofald, Denfeld High School Speech and Debate Coach, has submitted a grant application to the Rotary Club #25 in the amount of $750. If awarded, funds will be used to provide scholarship money to members of the Denfeld Speech and Debate teams for participation fees, team travel assistance and team uniform costs.

1.C.5) Pachel Foundation Grant Application

Jill Lofald, Denfeld High School Speech and Debate Coach, has submitted a grant application to the Pachel Foundation in the amount of $3,500. If awarded, funds will be used to defray team members expense to compete at these National Speech and Debate tournaments. Tournaments this season are: Harvard, NIETOC in Houston and NSDA in Albuquerque.

1.C.6) Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Agricultural Literacy Grant Application

Leah McNeil, Denfeld High School Culinary Arts Instructor, has submitted for and received a grant from the MAITC Agricultural Literacy Grant Program in the amount of $400. Funds will be used toward the purchase of chafing dishes for the Clock Tower Catering project at Denfeld High School.

1.C.7) Harbortown Rotary Grant Application

Jamie Bennett, ALC Integration Specialist, has submitted a grant application to the Harbortown Rotary in the amount of $1,000. If awarded, funds will be used to cover expenses for students to attend the Wilderness Elite/Jr. Rotarian Winter Camping Trip in January 2020.

1.C.8) Autism Association of Northern MN/Autism Walk Northland Grant Application

Amy Samuel, Lester Park Elementary Special Education Teacher, has submitted for and received a grant from the Autism Association of Northern MN/Autism Walk Northland in the amount of $800. Funds will be used to purchase the Pro ED Environmental Print Reading Program for Level 3 ASD students at Lester Park Elementary. Environmental Print brings a comprehensive, standards-based language arts curriculum to students with significant cognitive disabilities.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) ISD 709 Calendar 2020-21 School Year

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton shared the recommended ISD 709 Calendar 2020-21 School Year for review and approval. The recommended calendar was presented to the Quality Steering Committee at their November 7, 2019 meeting.

2.B. Resolutions

2.B.1) Resolution E-12-19-3691 - Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User Access Recertification System

Attached is Resolution E-12-19-3691 - Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User Access Recertification System. The Superintendent recommends that Board authorize Sheryl Williams to act as the Identified Office with Authority (IOwA) for the Head Start Organization, Duluth Head Start 7010-84.

2.B.2) Resolution E-12-19-3693 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-12-19-3693 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation
Class of 55/Steve Anderson Greater Denfeld Foundation Fund
Autism Association of Northern MN/Autism Walk Northland

2.C. Diploma Requests

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

Alyssa Ann Brodin - November 13, 2019
Drey Leonard Homola - November 20, 2019
Jordan Trent Wrazidlo - December 18, 2019
Jonah Michael-David Plys - January, 16, 2020

2.D. Trip Requests

2.D.1) Extended Trip Request - Wilderness Elite/Jr. Rotarian Winter Camping Trip

Students from the Area Learning Center will travel to Bear Head Lake State Park in Ely, MN for an overnight winter camping experience from January 30-31, 2020. The cost of this trip is at $1,217.44 and will be funded by grants.

3. Future Items

Policy Updates
Immersion Transition
Companies to Classrooms Presentation