Communications , delegations and petitions
The School Board accepted 60 minutes of testimony regarding student access to facilities and comments regarding student nutrition programs .
Employee services
Resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of teaching contracts of probationary teachers
Sarah Kriewall , director of employee services , introduced a resolution regarding termination and non-renewal of teaching contracts of probationary teachers , considered a routine matter for the district . The resolution was approved on a 6-0 vote .
Resolution to rescind the inclusion of certain teachers ’ names in resolution terminating probationary teachers Sarah Kriewall , director of employee services , introduced a resolution rescinding names of probationary teachers who had earlier been terminated or non-renewed for the 2017-18 school year . The resolution was approved on a 6-0 vote .
Community education
Voluntary pre-K / preschool program
Steve Kerr , executive director of communications and government relations , introduced a presentation covering early learning programs available to Anoka-Hennepin students . Al Ickler , director of community education , provided an overview of voluntary pre-k classrooms in operation at Adams and Evergreen Park elementary schools . Beth Yokum , assistant manager , provided data regarding kindergarten readiness for both preschool and voluntary pre-k programs .
Elementary and secondary education
Specialist advisory committee recommendations
Dr . Mary Wolverton , associate superintendent for elementary schools , and LeMoyne Corgard , Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota president ( AHEM ), presented findings regarding music , art , physical education and other teachers at the elementary level . The committee presented a formal recommendation to add 30 minutes of instructional time with a media generalist . The committee also will continue to find solutions for issues that improve educational outcomes for students . One pending priority is to find a solution for the 14 schools were elementary specialist teachers are teaching “ off a cart ” due to classroom shortages .
Strategic priorities update
Michelle Vargas , chief financial officer , led a presentation regarding the addition of five strategic initiatives to begin for the 2017-18 school year . These programs would make possible through a one-time investment to allow for start-up and and operational funding for a four-year period .
Jeff McGonigal , associate superintendent for secondary schools , introduced three proposed programs that would be funded through strategic investments . McGonigal proposed the addition of the Science , Technology , Engineering , Arts and Math ( STEAM ) program at Anoka High School . He noted that students would benefit from Project Lead the Way curriculum which is considered an extension of programming offered at Anoka Middle School for the Arts . McGonigal then forwarded a proposal to add an Engineering and Math program at Coon Rapids Math curriculum materials adoption and improved instruction for high school math .
Elementary level strategic investments include providing a collaboration model for an instructional day . This would allow for teachers a structure for collaboration , taking a team approach to improve student achievement . Wolverton also introduced a second STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering and Math ) speciality school program in Coon Rapids . After considerable review , Hoover Elementary was chosen .
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Fit for the Future referendum / facilities update
Chuck Holden , chief operations officer , led a presentation regarding facility planning actions that have taken place following the recommendations of the Fit for the Future Task Force in January . The 32-member committee