Jan Mitchell, LWV Observer
All Board members were present.
Announcements included:
- $14,000 grant from MN Dept. of Education for service learning activities
- Music listening team took 1st in state competition.
- Science Olympiad students are going to state competition.
- One act plays were well received.
- Morgan Zabel (basketball), Liesl Schultz (alpine skiing) and Beret Amundson (Triple A) were recognized for their achievements.
- An acrobatic team including a Northfield graduate will perform at half-time at the basketball game on Friday.
- District food service director will participate in a program at Carleton on youth nutrition issues.
The Companeros report, featuring extensive public input and thoughtful staff efforts, was presented. It recommends a five year transition from the current program (65% English and 35% Spanish) to a 50% / 50% program. The new program would feature one section at each of the grades 1 through 5 at each elementary school. It would involve a stronger emphasis on literacy in Spanish. The Board was pleased with the ideas which reduce some transportation costs, balance class sizes, and provide more support for the neediest English Language learners in kindergarten with an all-day program. The Board will vote on this plan on March 8th. Questions and comments are welcome between now and then at the District office.
A new system to notify parents of snow days or early dismissals was demonstrated. All parents could be notified quickly, and the system can be tailored to notify particular groups of parents about specific situations – e.g. the bus returning from a soccer game is delayed for 15 minutes. The system uses both phone and email contacts.
The Board approved the revised budgets for 2009-2010, and commended Tom Stringer for the accuracy of his predictions. They also approved the resolution requiring the administration to make staffing and programming recommendations for next year.
The consent agenda was approved, and the overview of Community Services programs was received. The enrollment report for February and the 2010-2011 school year calendar were also received.