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.
2
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