Submitted by, Jan Mitchell, observer for LWV
The board acknowledged the years of service contributed by Ruth Dahl, Regina Zakrajek, and Eduardo Wolle. A reception in their honor was held prior to the board meeting.
The Senior High social studies department presented the curriculum changes that will be made to accommodate the new state standards. Juniors will take a full year of world history (they have been required to take one semester, but about 70% have taken two), and the seniors will be required to take one semester of political economics instead of a full year course that included social psychology. A social psychology elective will be available to seniors.
The strategic plan for the district was adopted on the second reading. It identifies the mission of the district as delivery of educational excellence that empowers all learners to participate in our dynamic world. It affirms the beliefs that public education is vital for democracy, that learning is life-long and accessible to everyone, that the schools, families, and communities share with the individual student the responsibility for quality education, that the learning environment at school provides respect, responsibility and rigor in a safe setting, that decisions must be based on the district’s mission in a process inviting honest dialogue, and that learners have a right to equitable access to educational opportunities. Strategies include hiring and retaining quality teachers and providing them with ongoing support and training, applying good stewardship of physical, financial and human resources, fostering a climate of mutual respect, responsibility and rigor while providing physical, emotional and intellectual safety for everyone, cultivating open communication among staff, families, students and communities, implementing consistent, comprehensive, and challenging curricular outcomes for all learners, and implementing plans and practices to encourage full participation by all learners and that address issues that include, but are not limited to, race, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, language, disabilities, and socio-economic factors.Schools for Equity in Education has a 4 point agenda for the state legislature that the board adopted. It includes:
1. Develop a funding formula that is standards-based and will truly meet the needs of all Minnesota students.
2. Enact measures that provide greater funding in the short term while a standards-based formula is being developed.
3. Reaffirm that school buildings, technology, and capital expenditures are vital parts of the educational process and provide equitable funding mechanisms to ensure quality learning environments that are safe and secure.
4. Continue commitment to property tax equity by equalizing property tax levies that are currently not equalized.The board has changed its meeting time to 7 pm, rather than 7:30.