The Becker School Board heard from the high school robotics team, reviewed some policy revisions, discussed strategic planning, discussed goals and had a second reading of a policy for using school facilities.

 

Mark Kolbinger is stepping down from his Asst. Principal role to become the middle school English teacher, replacing Paige Shreeve.  Jan Lefebvre is leaving Becker for a job in Sauk Rapids. She was well-known for her superb teaching of English and her numerous productions in theater arts.

 

Janice Barthel resigned as cashier for the school’s food service. Racquel Barthel resigned as 10th grade volleyball coach.

 

Chantel Boyer is returning to Becker as the new Asst. Principal at the middle school following the resignation of Jason Miller effective July 1. Benjamin Conniff has been hired as the new EBD teacher at the primary school, replacing Erika Rusin.

 

Grace Donahue resigned as the high school English teacher as well as Sandy Ernst (cashier) for the middle school.

 

Angeline Esler was hired as the new Jr. High volleyball coach, replacing Corey Martel. Luke Fox resigned as Jr. High football coach. Heather Holien was hired as the new JV volleyball coach replacing Greg Lynch, who signed on to become the varsity volleyball coach following Kristina Sloan’s resignation.

 

Jody Lechner-Roepke resigned as JV dance coach, Jeanne Lemire resigned as van professional in the bus garage and Brianna McGinty was hired to be the 10th grade volleyball coach, replacing Racquel Barthel.

 

Margi Miller has retired as the intermediate school reading specialist and Tyler Niedfeldt replaces Jeff Zimmer as assistant high school football coach.

 

Linda Peterson resigned as server at the middle school, Amanda Pratt was hired as a third grade teacher in the IS, Megan Ramola was hired as Jr. High volleyball coach, replacing Frances Kipka.

 

Luke Salzer was hired as new social studies teacher (long term substitute) at the high school replacing Heather Abrahamson. Dominic Squires was hired as girls JV basketball coach to replace Scott Gudmundson. Alyssa Stevens was hired to replace Megan Borkoski as girls JV tennis coach and Justin thorn was hired to be new Jr. High baseball coach.

 

Anita Trisco resigned as server with the food service company, Emily Tushar was hired to replace Nate Doimer as language arts teacher in the high school and Justin Walburn was hired to replace Trace Hare as art teacher for 7th & 8th grade LTS.

 

Supt. Stephen Malone congratulated school staff, administrators, and students for an excellent school year.

 

“I am proud of so many successful programs and initiatives throughout the school district,” he said.

 

One of the school board goals for the 2017-18 school year is to improve school culture/climate. Malone said he is collaborating with the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) to meet this goal. CAREI will recommend a survey, analyze the results, and make recommendations.

 

Per school board discussion, the school board will preview the survey before it is deployed. Malone says he is expecting a formal proposal from CAREI later in June. 

 

Malone talked briefly about the Becker Innovates celebration last week and its  success. He said it was fun to recognize the accomplishments of the school’s Big Dog Challenge innovation teams. Planning for the Fall 2017 Becker Innovates Challenge is underway.

 

In the school’s mandated reporting of child neglect or physical or sexual abuse, the amended policy adds reports of known or suspected child sex trafficking involving a child who is identified as a victim of sex trafficking to the definition of sexual abuse.

 

For enrollment of nonresident students, the amended policy requires the superintendent to post the lottery procedure on the school district’s website in the event that a grade level is closed to open enrollment. The policy also  deletes the lottery procedure previously required by statute.

 

Malone said the community education board recently reviewed and updated Policy 902-1 (Use of school district facilities and equipment addendum I and fee schedule, reflecting changes of current practice and updates to the policy. 

 

The school board’s annual agenda schedules school board governance education in July. Possible presentations/topics include a futurist, demographer, technology, advocacy groups, staff, MSBA, etc. 

 

Malone said it would be appropriate for the board to select a topic so that arrangements can be made for the July (or August) meeting. Topics in the past have been policy governance (twice), goal setting, high school electives/scheduling, and a discussion of board-superintendent responsibilities based on a survey completed by the board and superintendent, and a review of when the various debt levies expire. 

 

Malone added the school board should discuss potential areas for the 2018-19 school year based on the stakeholder input. He suggests the school board develop a list of potential goals to be further considered at the July meeting.

 

The next Becker School Board meeting is July 3 at 6:30 p.m.