Dr. Stephen Malone gave his superintendent’s report to kick off Monday’s meeting.

 

Malone said all school buildings were recently tested for radon. The number of samples collected were: Primary School 120, Intermediate School 87, Middle School 97, High School 134. 

 

All the samples were below the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. So, all the schools are free of radon concerns, Malone said.  The tests will be conducted again in five years.

 

Malone went on to comment on the first half of his final school year before retirement.

 

“As we complete the first half of the 2018-19 school year, I congratulate administrators and staff members for the success our students have experienced thus far,” said Malone. “The commitment of our administrators and staff make our schools amazing.”

 

He said the school’s  academic goal for this year is for students to achieve one year of growth in reading and math. 

 

“Of the 16 grade levels tested by NWEA and MCA, eight achieved our goal last year,” he said.

 

Mid-year math and reading testing for students was conducted last month. A review of data, academic standards, and instructional differentiation is underway. 

“I am confident that we can achieve our goal for every grade level to attain one year of growth in reading and math this year,” Malone said.

 

As part of Monday’s consent agenda, Malone asked the board to approve Policy 706 (acceptance of gifts), a resolution directing  administration to propose the discontinuance of positions and/or programs for the next school year. 

 

Malone said the 2019 stakeholder input for strategic planning will again be conducted digitally using crowdsourcing technology. An outline of the process, pending approval by the school board, was presented. 

 

Kevin Januszewski provided an overview of school finance for Minnesota Public Schools.

 

The superintendent search process was also discussed Monday.

 

 

The next Becker School Board meeting is March 4 at 6:30 p.m.