Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 05/11/15

Meeting Date:
May 11, 2015

Board Chair
Tom Heidemann

Vice Chair

Marci Anderson

Treasurer
Bill Harvey

Clerk

Jeff Simon

Director

William Fields

ACTION

of the School School District
Board
Anoka-Hennepin

Indian Education Title VII Grant public form

Dr. Cynthia Hays, chief academic officer, opened the public hearing by commenting that
Minnesota’s World’s Best Workforce legislation calls for reducing the achievement gap and
preparing students for success. “Indian Education does just that,” she said.
Todd Protivinsky, principal on special assignment who supervises the Indian Education
Program, said the purpose of the program and the Anoka-Hennepin Parent Advisory
Council is to “encourage and inspire academic achievement, social and emotional development and cultural awareness” of American Indian students. The program serves as a curriculum resource and promotes cultural diversity among community, staff and students. He
explained that the program is funded with a federal Title VII grant of $85,298.
Johnna Rohmer-Hirt, director of research, evaluation and testing, reviewed demographics for the program, noting that 61 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced price
lunch, which is nearly double the rate of the district as a whole. In addition, 21 percent
receive special education services, which is also considerably higher than the district as a
whole. State test results indicate that proficiency in reading, math and science of American
Indians students is the third highest of the district’s six ethnic subgroups, and the achievement gap between American Indian students and white students is the second smallest in
all three areas tested.
The three Indian Education advisors, Kathy Eisenschenk, Mindy Meyers and Mary Beth
Elhardt, described their role and gave an overview of some of the program activities for the
year. They cover all the district’s elementary and secondary schools, identifying and assisting American Indian students with academic and cultural support. They monitor school
improvement planning goals and data related to American Indian students and serve as a
liaison between schools and families. They also plan and participate in a variety of academic and cultural activities such as fall picnics, college visits, and senior honoring.
Protivinsky shared highlights of American Indian students’ success this year. For the third
year in a row, a district student was selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar and will receive
a full college scholarship through the doctorate level if desired. Another student earned
an associate of arts degree from Anoka-Ramsey Community College while in high school
and yet another was selected for the highly competitive University of Wisconsin Summer
Engineering Program. Many students will attend college in Minnesota and out of state in
the fall.
Protivinsky thanked the Parent Advisory Council for their support, noting that the group
met last week and gave approval for the district to apply again for the Title VII grant.

Director

Nicole Hayes

School Board Chair Tom Heidemann praised the positive trends in student achievement
data.

Recognitions

Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP)
ANOKA-HENNEPIN
SCHOOLS
A future without limit

Jessica Lipa, director of Anoka-Hennepin’s career and technical education programs, and
teacher Crystal Scott recognized seven Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP)
students who earned recognition in the SkillsUSA competition. Junior Mary Pearson and
seniors Elizabeth Klassen and Nicholas Danner won first place as a team in crime scene