Under the direction of Tim Hauser, the AHS marching band claimed“ A” division second place honors in the Youth in Music Minnesota State Marching Band Championships held Oct. 14 at U. S. Bank Stadium. Students presented for recognition include James Arseneau, Luke Bastian, Craig Benz, Grace Bloomer, Jasmine Bohn, Jakob Bohnsack, Maddie Braun, Kailan Brown, Ashton Burgess, Nicholas Capps, Chayse Clarin, Abisai Cumatz Jacinto, Samuel Deneen, Ellie Dixon, Josie Duerre, Andrew Fosvick, Michael Gherity, Sam Gillard, Liam Goude, Johanna Hamilton, Jacob Hamsmith, Eric Hansen, Alex Helmick, Anna Hetzer, Rayonna Highbear, Kate Hiller, Lindsey Houde, Lana Hovan, Dillan Ikobe, Eva Jachymowski, Cameron Jacobson, Samantha Jacobson, Patric Kane, Meikel Keleekai, Natalie Krull, Nicholas Laehn, Laila Lakanen, Britta Larson, Trevor Larson, Rachel Lenz, Christopher Lerohi, Benjamin Madson, Gabriel Manning, Anthony Margotta, Jade Moore, Amber Newman, Josie Olson, Sophie Olson, Nathanael Pearson, Andrew Peterson, Cassity Peterson, Noah Randle, Meghan Reichstadt, Ashlee Ritter, Linnea Rogge, Madison Rowell, Jacob Shockman, Iseabail Simpson, Dallas St. Hilaire, Matthew Stanley, Alexandria Sullivan, Natalie Teigen, Ben Urbaniak, Diego Varela, Callie Werk, and Jacob Wetterhahn.
William Fields recognition
With appreciation, School Board Chair Tom Heidemann presented Director William Fields with a commemorative school bell in honor of his commitment and service to the school district and community as a member of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board. Director Fields represented District 4 on the School Board since January 2014.
Communications, delegations and petitions
Jefferson Fietek, Mary Cook and Rick Heller addressed the School Board.
Community education and government relations
Establish polling locations for 2018
Al Ickler, executive director of community and government relations, presented a resolution to set polling locations for 2018. A new state law requires school districts to pass a resolution naming polling locations annually. This requirement mandates the action is taken even if the the district does not intend to have a special election during the year. The School Board approved the action on a unanimous vote.
Resolution to fully fund special education expenditures
When the United States Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Act( IDEA) in 1975, that decision came with a provision to provide 40 percent of program funding to local school districts. While the program has provided benefits to students, federal funding has not reached above 15 percent of program costs, leaving local districts to provide funding for required program elements. Locally, this funding disparity impacts Anoka- Hen-nepin by over $ 30 million annually. Anoka-Hennepin is joining school districts from across the state in passing resolutions of support for increasing federal funding for the mandated services. Members of the School Board approved the resolutions on a unanimous vote.
Elementary and secondary education
Care and treatment transportation
Cory McIntyre, executive director of student services, and Keith Paulson, director of transportation, presented a district policy regarding students involved with residential treatment programs. The policy reflects current district practice and provides direction to treatment centers regarding placement of students so they qualify for district provided transportation. Anoka-Hennepin provides support to approximately 400 students annually. The policy is expected to return to a School Board meeting in January for consideration.
Policy 613.2 Honor courses / recognition to include early graduates
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board supported a change in district policy that will ensure all students who deliver outstanding performance in rigorous coursework will be recognized for their accomplishments. This new policy replaces an existing policy that intended to motivate students to continue academic rigor in their senior year by requiring at least one credit be earned in grade 12. In practice, Anoka-Hennepin’ s trimester schedule did not allow high-achieving early graduates that were eligible for honors to earn this designation as many of these students were already starting college. The new policy removes the provision to earn one-credit at school during a student’ s senior year. The School Board will consider approval at a meeting in January.
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