January 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

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Description:  We had our winter community potluck and student play! It was a huge success! Students put on a play, sang songs, and showed off their piano playing!

Five of our students participated in the Produce Safety Alliance Growers Safety course and earned their certificates. They did this in addition to earning their food handler cards in preparation for our upcoming greenhouse season of growing/producing.

As a school, we are getting ready for our Valentine's Day community events and flower production! 

 

Description:  Progress made as of 1-8-2025:

Thorne Bay School - 

• Drainlines in Wood Shop sink, School and Gym Boiler Rooms, Commons Drinking Fountains have been cleaned (All were blocked completely or for drinking fountains most of the way)
• Commons Drinking Fountain repaired, Water Bottle Filler installed - all fed with Filtered Water
• Kitchen had a faucet installed many years ago with no sink or drain... Sink and Drain installed - Filtered water supply
• LED lighting upgrade continued in Network Room (12 more fixtures)
• Privacy wall built and installed between Library and Therapy Room
• Elementary Wing and Entry carpets shampooed
• Commencing Exterior Lighting repairs
• GARN Boiler parts finally arrived and installed

Thorne Bay Gym - 

• LED lighting completed in District side offices
• GARN Boiler parts finally arrived and installed

Coffman Cove School - 

• Repaired water leaks in MAIN AHU Room off of heating coils
• Received GARN parts just this week, installation with take place very soon
• Scrubbed Gym Floor with machine

Naukati- 

• MAIN Water pump replacement completed
• Boiler Main Circuit Pump replacement completed
• Scrubbed Gym Floor with machine
• Replaced Water Heater in Teacher Housing

Whale Pass - 

• Carpets were shampooed
• Repaired water system patched back together three times
• Water system parts ordered to make long term repair from source to school tanks

Hollis -

• Scrubbed Gym Floor with machine
• Water and Fire Suppression system work continues

Kasaan - 

• Began process for threshold to wood storage building to keep weather water from coming in the building

Vehicles -

• Vehicle repairs continue - please treat the SISD Vehicles kindly, and help us keep them in good order

** Report issues promptly, SAFETY is paramount (for the people and our vehicles that allow students to travel)

HUGE Shout Out to the dedication of our Maintenance Team to accomplish this throughout the holiday season.

Kind Regards and Happy New Year,
Scott Randall - Maintenance Director

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Southeast Island School District
Special Education and Assessment Department Board Report

Date: January 7, 2025
Prepared by: Robbin Perkins Askew

1. Special Education Updates
a. Staffing and Professional Development:

• Principal Nixon, April Hoy (SpEd Teacher), Steve Cunningham (SpEd Teacher), Pam Martensen (SpEd para), and Tristine Morrison( SpEd related service para)  will be attending the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference from February 3-5, 2025, to enhance their knowledge and skills in specialized instruction and collaboration.

Staff & Paraeducator Shoutouts:

• Shoutout to Everett, Technology Director, and Matt Gore for uploading files and rostering students, ensuring seamless assessment administration.

• Shoutout to Theresa Randall for completing pre-audit tasks to ensure data accuracy.

• Shoutout to Tristy Morrison for tracking and providing Speech compensatory hours to our students, ensuring we remain in service compliance.

• Shoutout to Pamela Martensen, Derek Shell, and Makenzie Denham for being nominated for the Goveners' Council On Disabilities' Inclusive Practice Award and Paraeducator of the Year. Winners will be announced at ASSEC.

• Our dedicated paraeducators have completed the following professional development courses:

  • PARA 108 - Introduction to Accommodations and Modifications: Sarah Garrison 

  • PARA 110 - Classroom and Behavior Management: Judy Adamson and Sarah Garrison.

  • PARA 116 - Classroom Instructional Arrangements: Sarah Garrison

  • PARA 120 - Supporting Instruction: Mathematics: Judy Adamson

  • PARA 1210 - Managing Your Digital Footprint: Judy Adamson

  • PARA 123 - Implementing and Monitoring Behavior Intervention Plans: Tari Cook

  • PARA 137 - Basic Algebra: Judy Adamson

  • PARA 142 - Autism Spectrum Disorder: Social Interactions and Skill Development: Sarah Garrison 

  • PARA 305 - Five Ways to Replenish Your Patience. Tari Cook

• We are incredibly proud of their commitment to professional growth and their positive impact on our students' success.

• Special education teachers will be attending the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference from February 3-5, 2025, to enhance their knowledge and skills in specialized instruction and collaboration.

b. IEP Implementation:

• As of this report, 100% of our students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are receiving services as outlined, with compensatory time provided for students owed.

c. Student Success Stories:

• Three students have been successfully dismissed from special education services, as they no longer meet the qualifications for services. This reflects their significant growth and ability to succeed in the general education setting.

• Students have been actively completing transition assessment activities, which are instrumental in planning their post-secondary goals and pathways. These assessments provide valuable insights into students' strengths and preferences, guiding individualized transition plans.

• Through Community Connections/ILP, we have successfully transitioned a 3-year-old into the district to receive special education services and support.

• There have been two new referrals for students to be identified as "Gifted & Talented." If found eligible, they will have a GT-IEP created to support their advanced learning needs.

e. Intensive Status Applications:

• As of the drafting of this report, the State of Alaska/DEED has approved one student for intensive status who was previously denied last year. Additionally, one transfer student has been approved.

• We are currently awaiting decisions for our other applicants, with the anticipated goal of securing four approvals overall.

2. Assessment Updates
 a. Key Testing Dates and Information:

• Middle of Year (MOY) Assessments: January 13-24 (extendable to January 31 per DEED approval).

• End of Year (EOY) Assessments: April 21-May 2.

• AK STAR Spring Assessment: Combines spring summative and MAP Growth tests, providing both proficiency and RIT scores. Only one test per student is required.

• Mandatory Review of Assessment Administration Guides & Handbooks for NWEA-MAP and MOY mClass Testing were shared via email

• Progress: Notable gains at Hollis, Coffman, and Whale Pass, with other sites showing expected improvement.

• Student Support: Individual student reports (IRIPs) sent to families; follow-up conferences arranged for those needing additional support.

b. Alternative Assessments:

• There are no students eligible for Alaska’s Alternate Assessment (DLM) or ACCESS for ELL students

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3. Program Enhancements ** Title Grant Audit Preparations:**

• Student services will be a part of the upcoming Title Grant Audit. In preparation, the following tasks have been completed:

  • Compiled the exact number of active SPED students and 504 students in total, as well as at each site.

  • Shared lists of active 504 and SPED students with each case manager and confirmed accuracy with the respective case managers.

  • Created a list of students by primary SPED eligibility category (e.g., Specific Learning Disability, Speech Impairment, Autism) for the district and by site.

  • Compiled data on the number of students receiving the following related services:

    • Speech services in the district and by site.

    • Occupational Therapy (OT) in the district and by site.

    • Physical Therapy (PT) in the district and by site.

    • Counseling in the district and by site.

  • Generated a list of graduating SPED students (seniors).

  • Compiled a list of students aged 18 and older.

  • Ensured all data aligns with case manager records and PowerSchool entries.

a. Parent/Community/Agency Engagement Initiatives:

• We are coordinating a visit with Geoff Bullock, the State of Alaska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor for our school district. DVR offers a host of FREE supports for our students with disabilities & their families, including:

  • Medical or mental health exams, related only to their disability, to determine eligibility and assist in career planning.

  • Vocational rehabilitation counseling, especially about disability issues.

  • Help choosing a job goal.

  • Referrals to other agencies.

  • Testing and other evaluations.

  • On-the-job training with a real employer.

  • A short-term job try-out called a "Community Assessment."

  • Job search and placement services.

  • Interpreter, reader, and tutoring services.
    This visit is planned to take place in February 2025.

4. Challenges and Next Steps

• Recruitment and retention of SPED paras and SPED substitutes remains a priority, as remote locations present unique hurdles.

• More opportunities are needed for SPED teachers to network with other special education teachers in Southeast Alaska, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.

• More opportunities are needed for SPED paraprofessionals to network with other paras in the district and attend in-person trainings that are geared to their job assignments.
   

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Pertinent Facts
Following the direction of BP 0500, Review and Evaluation, the School Board reviews policies throughout the year.  Board Policies 1114, 1120, 1140, 1150, 1220, 1230, 1240, and 1245 are presented for second reading.

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Pertinent Facts
No changes are proposed to this policy.

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Pertinent Facts
No changes are proposed to this policy.
 

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Pertinent Facts
A minor change is proposed to align this policy with the AASB model policy.
 

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Pertinent Facts
No changes are proposed to this policy.
 

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Pertinent Facts
This is a new policy, allowed by Alaska Statute, identifying that the Board may adopt a resolution that an advisory question related to education be placed on the School Board's next ballot.  These advisory questions are typically non-binding questions to voters that are used to gather public opinion about education-related issues. 
 

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Pertinent Facts
Changes proposed to this policy include:

• update policy number from 1220 to 1230 to align with AASB's numbering system
• minor changes to text to align with the AASB model policy
• removing reference to an Alaska Administrative Code that was repealed

 

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Pertinent Facts
Changes proposed to this policy include:

• update policy number from 1230 to 1240 to align with AASB's numbering system
• minor changes to text to align with the AASB model policy

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Pertinent Facts
This policy is proposed for removal because the most recent updates are now included as BP 1250.  The AASB-proposed updates to this policy were approved at the October 2024 board meeting.

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Pertinent Facts
This policy is proposed for removal because:

• The No Child Left Behind Act was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015.
• BP 6171 and AR 6171 are the updated policy and regulation for Title I and parent and family engagement in Title I programs.  

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Pertinent Facts
This revision was reviewed during the work session that was held before tonight's meeting.  The memorandum attached to the revised budget provides additional information and includes a summary of the revisions. 

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Pertinent Facts
SISD secondary students in grades 9-12 have been invited to apply for the 2025 Youth Advocacy Institute and Legislative Fly-in.  Because there are a limited number of attendees allowed per district (and due to district budget constraints), the Administration recommends that the School Board create a selection committee to review and select students to attend and appoint two board members to participate on this committee.

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Pertinent Facts
Following the direction of BP 0500, Review and Evaluation, the School Board reviews policies throughout the year.  Board Policies 1311, 1312, 1312.1, 1312.2, 1312.3, 1312.4, and 1313 are presented for first reading.
 

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Pertinent Facts
No changes are proposed to this policy.

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Pertinent Facts
No changes are proposed to this policy.

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Pertinent Facts
Minor changes to this policy include:

• grammatical correction
• addition of a cross-reference

Description: 
Pertinent Facts
A minor change from the AASB model policy is included.

Description: 
Pertinent Facts
This policy includes a minor grammatical correction.

Description: 
Pertinent Facts
This policy was originally proposed by AASB in 2015, but has not yet been adopted by the District.  The policy addresses the requirement in 4 AAC 06.888 that complaints that a district has violated the law in administering programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) be submitted to the district for resolution before being filed with DEED. The policy generally provides for the review and resolution of complaints.  An administrative regulation that accompanies this policy will undergo administrative review and then be included as an information item on the February meeting agenda.

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Pertinent Facts
This is a policy from AASB' Model Policy Manual that was not previously included in SISD's policies.  It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe and orderly school environment, sets expectations for appropriate and respectful behavior and interactions, and identifies the next steps when those standards are violated.

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