The Becker School Board met Monday and discussed 2018 board goals, proficiency results and goals, the 2018 preliminary levy, first readings, policies, school climate survey and 2017-18 superintendent goals.

 

One of the  school goals for Grades 1-8, 10 and 11 is to increase achievement by a positive Z Score in reading and math comparing the actual to expected growth as determined by testing in the Fall of 2017 for NWEA to the Spring of 2017 and Spring of 2017 to Spring of 2018 for MCA. 

 

The school also wants to expand the knowledge base of parents and students about post secondary opportunities and develop age-appropriate mental health delivery models in each school. 

 

Another goal is to improve school climate/culture and Malone will select and administer a school climate assessment survey by November 1, 2017. The superintendent will develop an action plan to improve school climate/culture based on the assessment results. This will be completed by June 1, 2018. 

 

Malone said the fall staff development program was a success. The general session was on Aug. 31 and included recognition of the many achievements by the school district departments and schools, an overview of goals, a preview of the 2nd annual Big Dog Challenge, and a review of the school’s ongoing work to meet the needs of every student. New staff members were also introduced at the general session. 

 

The building-level programs included PLCs, the instructional framework, course templates, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Success), staff goal setting, reviewing the staff handbook, the teacher evaluation process, data review, high yield instructional strategies, and procedures specific to each building. 

 

The second annual Big Dog Challenge will kick off later this month. Ideation is Sept 25 through Oct 5. Pairwise will be Oct. 9-13 and Best In Show Pairwise will be Oct 30-Nov 3. The purpose of Becker Innovates is to foster a culture of innovation throughout the school district. 

 

The annual orientation for site-based team members was conducted in August. An overview included the rationale for involving stakeholders in decision-making, membership configurations, statutory authority, and the decision-making matrix approved by the school board. The orientation was combined with the first SBT meeting of the year at each school. 

 

Malone plans to produce videos again this year, which provide monthly superintendent updates. The monthly “super talk” is linked from the home page on the district website and the BPS Facebook page. This communication provides timely information regarding school district initiatives, events, and other school-related items of interest to the public. 

 

Malone says stakeholder involvement is critical to the success of Becker’s school district. It is essential that staff members, parents, community members, and students have a voice in the operation of their schools and Malone plans to continue several venues conducted last year including, meeting bi-monthly with Local #284 and BEA representatives to foster communication;  inviting the BEA president to all Supt. Cabinet meetings, conduct 10 district discussions to provide opportunity for staff to communicate with Malone; conduct nutrition, calendar, activities and technology committees and visit classrooms and involve parents, students, staff and community members to the school boards’ strategic planning sessions.

 

Malone  shared the MCA proficiency results recently released by the Minnesota Department of Education for math, reading, and science. Once again, Becker surpassed the state average in every grade level for every test. Furthermore, the school district continues to make progress toward every student achieving one year of academic growth in math and reading on an annual basis. 

 

The levy certification documents for Minnesota’s public schools were issued by MDE Sept. 8. Calculations will be completed Sept. 30.

 

The first “levy run” typically contains errors, Malone said. Joe Prom will work with MDE to correct the calculations over the next few weeks. He reviewed the preliminary payable 2018 levy information at the school board meeting. 

 

“Joe and I expect the Pay 18 Levy to be comparable to the Pay 17 Levy,” said Malone. “I recommend approving the maximum preliminary certification.” 

 

A presentation covering the 17-18 budget and the Payable 2018 Levy will be provided at the Dec. 4 school board meeting. The final levy amount will be approved by the board at that time. 

 

The board conducted a first reading of the service animals policy prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on disability, including individuals who require the assistance of a service animal. Toward that end, the district acknowledges its obligation to allow the use of a service animal by individuals with disabilities. 

 

They also reviewed the service animal requirements by the ADA from the Dept. of Justice.

 

The board adopted the internet use, transportation of public school students and advertising policies.

 

Malone said one of the school board goals for this year is to improve school climate. He said the school contracted with the Center of Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), a department within the University of Minnesota, for consultation with this initiative. CAREI is recommending The New Jersey Climate Survey, which Malone attached for board members along with a fact sheet describing the research base. The school board requested to review the survey instrument before it is administered. 

 

Malone passed out  superintendent goals for the 2017-18 school year and said the format follows the goal-based Superintendent Evaluation Process developed by MSBA and MASA. The goals reflect school district goals and initiatives. Malone recommended to the board  a discussion of the goals and school board approval of them if they are agreeable.