May 20, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Minnesota's World's Best Workforce (WBWF)

Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Performance, reviewed the goals of Minnesota's World's Best Workforce (WBWF) legislation, and provided an update on the District's next steps for fulfilling the requirements.

1.A.2) District Advisory Committee

Minnesota's World's Best Workforce (WBWF) legislation requires each school board to establish a District Advisory Committee to ensure community engagement in the development and review of its WBWF plan. The purpose of the District Advisory Committee is to provide advice to the School Board regarding curriculum, programming, and student achievement goals and measures consistent with state statute. Such advice will be guided by the District Community Vision and Goals and ultimately reflected in the
District’s 4-Year Continuous Improvement Plan. Superintendent Bill Gronseth provided an update and further information related to the District Advisory Committee for Duluth Public Schools, ISD 709.

1.A.3) Revisions ISD #709 Extracurricular Conference Process

Assistant Superintendent Ed Crawford shared revisions to the ISD #709 Extracurricular Conference Process.

1.A.4) 5085R - Student Discipline for Elementary and Secondary Schools 2014-15

Attached for your information are revisions to 5085R - Student Discipline for Elementary and Secondary Schools 2014-15, which will be included in the 2014-15 Student Policy Handbook.

1.B. Grant Applications

Jay Roesler, Coordinator of Community Education, Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, and Barb Farrell, Early Childhood Family Education and School Readiness Coordinator,  have applied for the State of Minnesota Pathway II - Early Learning Scholarships Grant Renewal for FY 2015 in the amount of $173,544.  If awarded funds will be used to enhance services to children who are currently participating in School Readiness and Head Start for the 2014-15 school year.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) 2014-15 State Head Start Grant Application

Pam Rees, Director of Head Start, presented the 2014-15 State Head Start Grant Application for review and approval as required by the Minnesota Department of Education.

2.B. Extended Field Trip Requests

East High School Physics students traveled to Chicago, Illinois from May 1-3, 2014.  The objective of the trip was to provide the opportunity for Physics students to experience first hand physics, science, and technology along with diversified activities to round out the entire trip.  They visited the United States premiere high particle physics proton accelerator - FermiLab, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Navy Pier, and had an excursion on the Chicago River.  The cost of the trip was $245 per student and was funded with student fees.

Duluth Public Schools eleventh and twelfth grade HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)
students will be traveling to Orlando, Florida from June 22-29, 2014 to compete in the HOSA National Leadership Conference.  It is anticipated that students will gain knowledge and skills related to all healthcare occupations while attending National Conference.  The cost of the trip is $1,923 per student and will be funded through student fees.

Fourth grade students from Lowell Elementary traveled to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center from April 23-25, 2014.  During their stay, students participated in activities related to rock climbing, geology, weather, star lab, astronomy, adventure ropes, initiative games, competitive orienteering, showshoeing, hiking, North Shore history, Ojibwe heritage, paper making, block painting, etc.  The total cost of the trip was $15,100 and was funded with student fees.

2.C. Policy 5060 - Collection, Maintenance, Dissemination, and Retention of Student Records and Information

Revisions to Policy 5060 - Collection, Maintenance, Dissemination, and Retention of Student Records and Information are attached for the second reading.

2.D. Policy 5093 - Duluth Public Schools ISD 709 Restrictive Procedures Plan

Attached are revisions to Policy 5093 - Duluth Public Schools ISD 709 Restrictive Procedures Plan for the second reading.  Laura Fredrickson, Director of Special Services, was available to answer any questions.

2.E. Resolution E-5-14-3180 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-5-14-3180 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation - Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation - Scott D. Anderson Leadership Foundation Fund

2.F. Revised ISD 709 Calendar 2014-15 School Year

Assistant Superintendent Ed Crawford shared the revised recommended ISD 709 Calendar 2014-15 School Year for review and approval as approved by the Quality Leadership Team at their May 7, 2014 meeting. 

2.G. Diploma Requests

The following students have completed all high school graduation requirements and should be awarded a diploma:

Freddy Gustavo Benish - April 28, 2014
Taylor Marie Gellatly- April 24, 2014
Zachary E. Wehmanen