Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 02/25/2019 | Page 2

Finance
Post retirement benefit (OPEB) investments
Todd Baker, representing Wells Fargo Advisors, provided an overview of the district’s trust investment fund performance
for 2017 and historical overview of the fund. Resources from this account are used to satisfy obligations of the district in
regard to Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB). Waters highlighted how past decision-making by the School Board and
investment portfolio investment decisions have provided financial stability.
Elementary and secondary education
Credit by assessment
Dr. Timothy Gadson, III, associate superintendent for secondary schools and Kim Pavlovich, director of secondary
curriculum introduced an update to a policy first approved in 1993 and revised in 2012 which will allow for greater flexibility
in providing credit for students by assessment. Students will have expanded opportunities to fulfill graduation requirements
and craft learning activities to match individual needs. Additional courses were added to the list of courses available to
qualify for this program along with minor policy changes to benefit student learning. The policy will return for board approval
at a future meeting.
School bell times 2019-20
Enrollment changes between schools and new schools at the elementary level prompted a review and recommendation of
school start and end times to maximize safe travel and economic efficiency of the system. The proposal would add routes
for the two new schools and ensure safe delivery of students at all schools while also providing $636,000 operations
savings. Chuck Holden, chief operations officer, and Keith Paulson, director of transportation, provided an overview of
proposals that would go into effect for the fall of 2019. No changes to middle school or high schools were recommended.
The bell times for 2019-20 were approved on a unanimous vote which will provide families six months to make any
adjustments necessary in advance of the September 2019 start date.
Indian education update
Anoka-Hennepin’s Indian Education Program relies on involvement from stakeholders and approval of an annual
compliance statement by the School Board. Chris Batiste, parent action committee chair, Cory McIntyre, associate
superintendent for middle schools and student services and Todd Protovinsky, principal on special assignment, presented
an overview of highlights of programming. The resolution was approved by the School Board on a unanimous vote.
Early childhood preschool and early childhood special education
Al Ickler, executive director of community and government relations and Cory McIntyre, associate superintendent fofrmiddle
schools and student services, led an overview of classroom space needs for early learners and collaboration systems
working to benefit student outcomes.
Enrollment projections
Anoka-Hennepin’s enrollment for the next four years is projected to remain stable with sustained growth, and no major
fluctuations in student population are expected. Chief Technology and Information Officer Dr. Joel VerDuin and Nick
Herman, the district’s data integration manager provided an overview of current and future enrollment. Kindergarten
through grade 12 current enrollment is 37,008 students. Next year, for the 2019-20 school year, that number is projected
to climb by 36 students with enrollment expected to again increase by 79 (2020-21), 66 (2021-22), and 57 (2022-23)
students.
The district uses projected enrollment numbers to frame its budget projections, and a stable enrollment forecast assists
with budget planning. The projections are formulated using multiple data points, including new housing permits issued by
cities in the school district, and county live birth data.
Elementary math adoption
Anoka-Hennepin is focused on developing a strong foundation in literacy and math for elementary students. A strategic
priority to provide updated math curriculum starting with the 2019-20 school year moved forward with a report and first
reading of the process and outcomes of an extended pilot study of new materials. A 37 member committee led the review
and more than 326 stakeholders were involved with the analysis that began in the spring of 2018. The recommendation
will return for approval at a future meeting.
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