The Becker School Board met Monday to discuss the Big Dog Challenge, National Teacher Day, safety & security, summer construction projects, graduation and the appointment of a Becker park and outdoor facility steering committee representative.

 

They also heard from Activities Director Dave Niemi about the proposed move from the Granite Ridge Conference back to the Mississippi 8.

 

 

Niemi gave a presentation to the board to talk about the recommendation of moving Becker schools from the GRC to the M8 Conference.

 

He said that in the Fall of 2017, STMA began looking for a new conference due to their increase in enrollment. By March of 2018, Rogers and Buffalo HS also applied for membership to other conferences. M8 then approached Niemi with an invitation to their conference beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

 

Zimmerman also put in an application to join the M8.

 

Niemi said the rationale behind the move is because the GRC currently has a lack of varsity programs in soccer, gymnastics, boys and girls hockey and boys and girls lacrosse. He said there is also a lack of numbers in activities and an increase in travel time to places like Minnewaska, Melrose, Rush City, Paynesville, Pine City, Moose Lake and St. Paul.

 

He also pointed out BHS already competes against most M8 schools for Class 3A and 4A in section play as compared to Class 2A schools in the GRC.

 

Niemi said a poll was taken from all the BHS activity programs showing a support for the move at 76%. Six activities (Swimming, diving, CC, wrestling, dance and visual arts) opposed and girls lacrosse did not respond.

 

Becker currently has the highest student enrollment numbers in the GRC with 822. The other schools  average around 417. In the M8, Becker would be towards the bottom with the other schools averaging 1,026.

 

GRC currently features Becker, Albany, Foley, Little Falls, Milaca, Mora, St. Cloud Cathedral, Zimmerman, Aitkin, Melrose, Minnewaska, Paynesville, Pierz, Pine City and Rush City.

 

M8 features Big Lake, Cambridge-Isanti, Chisago Lakes, Monticello, North Branch, Princeton and St. Francis.

 

Further interviewing and application steps are expected in June with the M8 Conference board making a decision this later this summer.

 

 

The second annual Big Dog Challenge celebration is May 30 and Supt. Stephen Malone told the school board members they were welcome to join the festivities. 

 

The event begins at 3:15 p.m. at The Grill at Pebble Creek. The presentations will start at 3:30 p.m. 

 

“It will be exciting to hear our innovation teams tell their success stories,” said Malone.

 

 

Tuesday was National Teacher Day.

 

“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the teachers of the Becker School District,” said Malone. “This is a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make in the lives of children.” 

 

He added “It is a time to say thank you to the special teachers that you know. Let them know that they are appreciated for all that they do.”

 

 

Malone said he was pleased that the Sherburne Co.  Sheriff’s Dept., Becker Police Dept., and the Becker School District are collaborating to provide more safety and security for students and staff. 

 

He reminded the board that Sherburne County has provided a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the school district for the past 19 years and will continue to do so. He added that the Becker Police Dept. has always provided valuable security support to the school district and now there is an understanding that The Becker PD will also have a presence in the school buildings to increase law enforcement visibility and security. 

 

“The school district is indebted to Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Becker Police Dept. for collaborating to safeguard our students and secure our buildings,” Malone said.

 

 

Malone said modifications to the middle and high school driveways onto Bradley Street are planned for this summer. 

 

Malone said the safety committee has been studying this issue for two years and developed the plan in coordination with the city. 

 

The modifications, he said, create separate bus and car lanes. Traffic flow for parents dropping off/picking up students will be improved and safety will be increased for students who walk to/from school. The changes also will improve traffic flow for busses and increase the visibility for bus drivers. 

 

The project cost of $73,500 is part of the school’s 2019 LTFM budget. 

 

 

Malone reminded the board and the public that graduation is June 1. School board members who would like to participate are asked to meet at 7 p.m. in the hallway behind the gym in room 419. Malone said there will be corsages for board members and spouses and chairs will be reserved in the front row for board members and spouses.

 

He also said board members who would like to hand out roses to the graduates as they exit the stage are welcome to do so. 

 

“If you prefer to watch from your chair, that is fine too,” Malone said. 

 

Chairman Aaron Jurek and Dr. Malone will be on stage. Graduation begins at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

• Student Blake Paulson was presented with a certificate of recognition for his excellent service as the student school board representative during the 2017-18 school year;

 

• Julie Baloun and Alex Jurek resigned their positions as dance team and boys soccer coaches.

 

 

The next Becker School Board meeting is June 11 at 6:30 p.m.