By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer

 

The Becker School Board held their monthly meeting Monday and discussed the upcoming school year, general funds, policy updates, first readings, board goals, an operating referendum and the district’s mental health resources.

New School Year

Supt. Stephen Malone said the school board is preparing for the upcoming school year and excited to welcome students back to school Sept. 4. 

New teachers and those new to the school district will begin their teacher induction and mentorship program Aug. 20. Teachers will report Aug. 27 and all staff members Aug. 30. 

Malone said the fall staff development schedule will focus on ensuring the use of effective instructional practices in all classrooms. This will include the instructional framework, course templates, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Success), the teacher evaluation process, data review, and student growth. 

Malone says it will also focus on supporting PLCs to ensure they effectively support student learning.

General Fund

Malone and Kevin Januszewski have been in contact with numerous school districts over the last several months and with  the school district auditors, BerganKDV. Malone says policies requiring a minimum of eight percent of the unassigned general fund balance is very common for public school district policies across Minnesota. 

With that, Malone recommended no change to the school’s fund balance policy at this time.

Consent Agenda

Malone recommended the approval of personnel items, accepting gifts, the designation of himself as Identified Official With Authority (IOWA) to authorize user access to MDE secure websites, approving the lease for technology equipment (iPads), approval of a resolution relating to the election of school board members and calling for the school district general election to be held Nov. 6 and to approve the agreement with Local 284 Multi-Unit and the school district.

Policies Adoption

Malone says he has received no input on the following policies and recommend they be adopted.

The first one is 102 Equal Educational Opportunity: Definition of “sexual orientation” in the Minnesota Human Rights Act now includes “gender identity and expression.” and the second is: 205 Open Meetings and Closed Meetings: Provision added for Interactive Technology.

First Readings

Malone recommended the first readings for the following policies: 1). 401 Equal Employment Opportunity: Definition of “sexual orientation” in the Minnesota Human Rights Act now includes “gender identity and expression.” The list of protected categories is changed to match this definition; 2). 413 Harassment and Violence: Definition of “sexual orientation” in the Minnesota Human Rights Act now includes “gender identity and expression.” The list of protected categories is changed to match this definition; 3). 419 Tobacco-Free Environment: Language updated to address e-cigarettes and related paraphernalia. 

Operating 

Referendum

Malone and Januszewski recommend approving the Resolution Converting Voter Approved Referendum Authority to a board approved referendum authority. 

This resolution converts $300 of the $731 per pupil unit operating referendum approved in 2009 to board approved referendum authority. The option for school boards to approve $300 of referendum authority was approved by the 2013 legislature. Most schools approved the conversion in the fall of 2013. 

Converting the $300 will not increase or decrease school taxes. Also, it will not significantly change the total amount of operating referendum revenue that the school receives.

Board Goals FY ‘20

Malone recommended the board review and approve the draft “Board Goals FY 20” and discuss if any changes would be desired. He provided the draft to board members Monday.

Mental Health 

Update

Dr. Jean Duffy (Asst. Supt. of Curriculum and Instruction) was on hand to give an overview of the district’s mental health resources and answer any questions.

Up Next

The September school board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 due to Sept. 3 being Labor Day.