recertification vote to continue the program. The program gained strong support with 97.5 percent participating voting to approve the program for the 2017-18 school year. The School Board will consider their approval in July.
Joint powers agreement for election services
Steve Kerr, executive director of communications and government relations, presented an agreement with Anoka County to assist with elections in the district. The contract terms and conditions are unchanged from past contracts and the School Board approved the agreement on an unanimous vote.
Enrollment projections
Dr. Joel VerDuin, chief technology and information officer, led an overview of enrollment projected and factors impacting enrollment for the upcoming school year. Michelle VanDenTop, director or technology and information systems, and Nick Herman, educational data coordinator, assisted in the presentation. The review included building permit and live birth data for the district. The overall enrollment is projected to increase by 102 total students for next school year.
Special Education audit support and staffing recommendations
Cory McIntyre, executive director of student services, and Cherie Peterson, director of special education, provided and overview of results to date from an audit of special education services and staffing recommendations based off that data for the 2017-18 school year. The recommendations aim to improved student outcomes and strengthen support for teachers, principals and buildings to serve students in neighborhood schools. The recommendations include staff restructuring to provide additional direct support and increased response time support to classrooms. The proposal includes approximately 22 additional positions, with over 60 percent of funding reimbursed through special education funding reimbursement and additional revenue due to student enrollment growth.
EL parent survey results
Cory McIntyre, executive director of student services and Dr. Jennifer Cherry, director of student services / Title IX coordinator, presented results of a professional survey conducted by Morris Leatherman Company to measure levels of communication and satisfaction with district parents who speak a language other than english. Anoka- Hennepin has over 6,000 such households and the 43 question survey included feedback from 600 residents. The district is interested in identifying communication and engagement gaps with the goal of improving relationships and student achievement. The district received a 95 percent approval rating- 37 percent excellent and 58 percent good- when asked how the district communicates with them overall. The report did identify a language barrier as an issue with the school for 7 percent. Over 90 percent felt welcome in schools, feel that school is safe, think their child is challenged in school and that the school is responsive to their concerns.
Expanded pilot of WonderWorks and Wonder ELD
Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools, led a team presentation and update on an expanded pilot program for Wonderworks and WondersELD curriculum which are literacy support materials to assist all students to read at grade level. The materials work in cooperation with the Reading Wonders curriculum which was implemented in all district elementary schools this year. Reading and writing skills for nearly 7,000 students would benefit from expansion of the pilot. Funding for the expansion, including a six-year implementation plan, is included in existing budgets. The recommendation was approved by the School Board on a unanimous vote.
General counsel
Approval of master contract of school service employees- SEIU Local 284
Paul Cady, general counsel, introduced approval of a master contract with district custodial and maintenance staff from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018. The contract is within the budget authority allowed and it was approved by the School Board on a unanimous vote.
Approval of terms and conditions for A-H School Readiness and Kindergarten Readiness teachers 2016-17 Paul Cady, general counsel, introduced terms and conditions for School Readiness and Kindergarten Readiness teachers and provided an overview of the agreement. The action is within the budget authority allowed and it
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