At Monday’s Becker School Board meeting, Board Member Ryan Obermoller gave a short presentation on the results of the recent Dylan’s Hope fundraiser. Obermoller had some of Dylan Aaseby’s family in attendance including brother Jason (and his wife), Dylan’s mom, Joyce and some nieces and nephews.
Dylan Aaseby died of suicide in 2013 at the age of 17.
Obermoller, executive director and treasurer with the Dylan’s Hope Foundation, said the success of the Dylan’s Hope Charity Golf Tournament Aug. 9 garnered $35,000 of which $25,000 was being donated to Becker Public Schools.
Last year, the golf tournament pulled in $30,000 of which $14,000 was donated to the Great Minnesota Schools, an organization that provides expert guidance, funding and resources to area schools. The contract for Great MN Schools was for the primary, intermediate and middle schools.
Supt. Report
Supt. Jeremy Schmidt said the recent fall staff development program was a success. The theme of the presentation was “Why are you here?” The program included recognition of the many achievements by the school district departments and schools, an overview of goals, 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 improving PLCs, supporting student mental health, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Success), PBIS, school climate, staff goal setting, the teacher evaluation process, data review, high yield instructional strategies, ALICE Training and procedures specific to each building. B-Fest, funded by the district supervisors, was enjoyed by all, said Schmidt.
Schmidt announced a thank you to the school board members who participated in the recent breakfast.
“I heard many positive comments regarding the board’s presence,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt provided the board with district goals.
Schmidt said he may produce videos this year to provide superintendent updates. He says he is working with the technology department on this process. If created, the videos would be linked from the home page on the district website and the BPS Facebook page.
Schmidt said final student test results from last Spring have been released by MDE. The MCA proficiency results show that, once again, Becker surpassed the state average in every grade level for every test.
Schmidt said he has been able to meet with a variety of groups and organizations over the last month and he looks forward to the opportunity for more in the future.
The board approved a resolution appointing Julie Blesi, Janelle Fast, Fran Seeley, Joyce Lambert, Doreen Novak, Marilyn Olson, Janet Boettcher, Judy Bowatz, Corina Landwehr, Muriel Aleckson, Joann Klym, Sharon Woolhouse, Jean Lumley, Cheryl Smith, Marilyn Danielson and Angela Oswald as election judges.
Director of Business Services, Kevin Januszewski, presented the 2020 levy proposal and the board had lengthy discussions on numerous topics in regards to the levy.
Mark Swanson presented the topic of attendance and asked Supt. Schmidt if he is addressing the situation. Swanson said more than 20% of high school students are missing 10% of their classes. Swanson asked if they are missing the classes due to illness, excused absences or events?
Schmidt said he would work on getting answers back to the board within 60 days.
The October school board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14 (Oct. 7 is the fall MASA Conference.) This was approved by the school board at the organizational meeting in January.
