Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 04/27/15 | Page 6

Board Clerk Jeff Simon, and associate superintendents Jeff McGonigal, Dr. Jinger Gustafson, and Dr. Mary Wolverton, shared with the board the status of a number of the recommendations made, and determined which ones weren’t feasible given funding constraints.
One of those recommendations, which the board moved forward with earlier this year,
was the full implementation of 30-minute music blocks each week, where students at every
elementary school will have instructional time with a music teacher. “We’re very excited,”
Wolverton said.
Another recommendation implemented was the addition of 6.5 full-time equivalency (FTE)
positions at the high school level, spread over multiple departments, to address concerns
over large class size and instrumental music teachers being displaced as a result of fluctuations in enrollment.
McGonigal explained that 6 FTE will be used to reduce class size in core, required classes
and .5 FTE for instrumental music at Coon Rapids High School. As a result it is projected
that no required core classes will have more than 40 students, and at least one band and
one orchestra teacher will remain full-time at each high school.
“We have sustainability,” Simon said. “We have a commitment to improving this program.”
The full report can be found in the April 27 School Board agenda.

Labor Relations and Benefits

Board continues contract with Medica for health insurance administration

Jim Gilligan, director of labor relations and benefits, recommended the School Board retain
Medica as the third party administrator for its health insurance programs. He explained
that legislation passed last year requires self-insured school districts to seek proposals for
third party administrators from a minimum of three providers every two years.
Anoka-Hennepin employed the services of Deloitte Consulting and Linda Fenwick Consulting to coordinate the request for proposal process and receive the proposals. Four
proposals were submitted; Deloitte analyzed them and presented findings to the administration in March.
The board approved a motion to continue with Medica.

Employee Services

Employee services resolutions approved

The School Board approved three resolutions related to staffing for next year. The first resolution terminated positions of six probationary teachers. These terminations are in addition
to a number of probationary teachers whose positions were terminated at the previous
meeting because it was not certain at the time if positions would be available for them next
year. When staffing needs for the next year have been firmed up, it is likely that some of
these teachers will be rehired.
The second related resolution terminated the position of a probationary special education
supervisor.
The third resolution rescinded termination of eight probationary teachers whose positions
had been terminated earlier. Positions are now available for these teachers.

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ACTION

The board also received a list of long-term substitute teachers, re-employed retired teachers
and two teachers on casual hourly letters of agreement whose services are self-terminating.
No action was necessary on this item.