Communications, delegations and petitions
The School Board heard from 16 residents or staff members regarding boundary proposals under consideration for the 2019-20 school year including Jinna Collins-Jwacu, Kate Mabel, Julie Kazeck, Tim Ruscher, Shana Kwatampora, Heather Swanson, Sara Schneiber, Jeff Horstman, Mary Gretz, Jeff Preston, Dina Preston, Jessica Haider, Stacey Kearin, Crystal Wollak, Cheri Schaaf, and Jodi Strickland. Leslie Erickson, Anika Erickson and Mary Cook provided information about the Anoka Middle School for the Arts theatre program and boosters and Robert Gaskins commented regarding support for students with dyslexia in district schools.
Employee services
The School Board took actions regarding employees and positions in the district in relation to a reporting timeline needed to comply with contracts and state requirements. Sarah Kriewall, director of employee services, presented the first two items for approval and the third item for information only.
Resolution discontinuing and reducing educational programs and positions
The resolution eliminates teacher full-time equivalent positions due to staffing efficiencies, student registrations and undetermined federal funding, and recognizes increases in staffing in other areas for a net reduction of nearly 13 positions. The resolution was approved on a 5-0 vote.
Resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of teaching contracts of probationary teachers
The School Board approved the resolution in compliance with Minnesota Statute 122A. 40, sub. 5. The action is considered a routine matter conducted annually by the board. The resolution was approved on a 5-0 vote.
For information purposes only: long-term substitute teachers, intern teachers, interim principals, re-employed retired teachers.
The board reviewed a listing of employees whose contracts with the district are due to expire at the end of the school year.
Elementary and secondary education
Boundary timeline and process update
Anoka-Hennepin schools is conducting a process to establish new attendance boundaries for the 2019-20 school year. The School Board reviewed a presentation given by Chuck Holden, chief operations officer, Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools, and Cory McIntyre, executive director of students services / supervisor of middle schools. The process allows for feedback from the community prior to establishing boundaries. Initial proposals and additional options were selected by the School Board to remain under consideration. The district will host a series of community meetings at area high schools in April and May to solicit additional feedback on proposals in addition to feedback generated through email, online forms and phone contacts. A decision on boundaries is anticipated to be finalized in September.
Strategic priorities 2018-19
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board uses a continuous improvement cycle and works to refine and improve the system to support outcomes for students and increase effectiveness of staff members. The board sets direction for the district through the development, implementation and monitoring of a set of strategic priorities. Superintendent David Law provided an overview of action items in the three priority categories including increasing academic achievement, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, and ensuring effective operations. Strategic priorities for 2018-19 were approved by the School Board on an unanimous vote.
Student services update
Cory McIntyre, executive director of students services, provided an overview of systems of support in place that ensure safe and welcoming schools and benefit learning for students. The board reviewed the structure of the district’ s student services teams and how they are aligned to maximize success. Using a data-driven continuous improvement approach, Anoka-Hennepin has been able to monitor and direct resources to priority areas, an
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