The Becker School Board met Monday to discuss school enrollment, the operating levy, superintendent goals and the board was treated to a presentation from the middle school on positive behavior and the 3 R’s.

Middle School Culture

Members of the Becker Middle School held a presentation to discuss PBIS (positive behavior intervention and support), SEL (social, emotional learning) and the 3 R’s (Respect, Responsibility and positive Relationships).

They went on to describe what PBIS, SEL and the 3 R’s  means to the school and its students. They described their histories, their members and the roles teachers, staff and students play. 

They finished up their presentation by proclaiming Oct. 23 as unity day where everyone is encouraged to wear orange as a message of support for kindness, acceptance and inclusion and to discourage bullying.

K-12 Enrollment

Supt. Jeremy Schmidt shared with the board a graph of the progression of enrollment at Becker schools since the 2005-06 school year.

The graph showed an increase in enrollment for the years ‘05 to ‘08, but then a drop in ‘09, but then a gradual increase each year beyond. Last year the schools had an enrollment total of 2.951 and for this year it is at 2.943.

Operating Levy

Schmidt said the school’s website is chock full of information related to the upcoming operating levy renewal. He said there will be public presentations Mon., Oct. 21 and Tues., Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. Mailings were sent out to taxpayers this week, and information will continue to be updated on the district website and school social media accounts. 

Voting on the levy and the general education revenue renewal takes place at Becker City Hall from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 5. Absentee voting has already begun and is available at the district office during regular business hours.

In other news the board:

• Accepted the gift of $25,000 from the Dylan’s Hope Foundation to be used for mental health programs;

• Accepted the annual fundraising report that requires the superintendent to report to the board, at least annually, on the nature and scope of student fundraising activities approved pursuant to this policy;

• Approved the resolution to the MSHSL Foundation to use grant money to pay for students’ activities fees in hardship situations;

• Approved the application for cooperative sponsorship with Princeton, Becker, Big Lake and Spectrum for girl’s hockey;

• Adopted the 223 strategic goals policy;

• Recommended the  first reading of Policy 414 Mandated Reporting and Policy 524 Internet Acceptable Use and Safety;

• Approved the superintendent goals for the 2019-20 school year which  follows the goal-based superintendent evaluation process developed by MSBA and MASA.

Up Next

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