The Becker School Board met for the first time in 2016 Monday and their meeting consisted of an Apple award, an update on S.T.A.C., date changes to strategic goals and organizational updates. 

 

 John Kinsey of Apple Corporation announced he was proud to be recognizing the Becker High and Middle Schools with an Apple Distinguished Program award. Kinsey gave the schools two banners and a framed certificate for their excellence.

 

The criteria for such recognition centers around the ability of the schools to demonstrate the five best practices of an Apple Distinguished Program. Those practices include:

1). Visionary leadership; 2). Innovative learning and teaching; 3). Ongoing professional learning; 4). Compelling evidence of success; 5). Flexible learning environment.

 

“We applaud schools like yours and are proud to be taking this journey with you,” said Kinsey.

 

Only 300 Apple Distinguished Program awards were issued worldwide in 2015. 

 

Replacing Phil Norgaard on the board is Ross Demant. Bryan Olson was out of state and attended the meeting remotely. Andrea Molus sat in as the student council representative.

 

Mark Swanson motioned to continue with the current officers the board has had for the last two years. He offered up a moment for further discussion in which Lori Molus and Chairperson Aaron Jurek agreed the board has been “working well and should continue as it has.”

 

Dr. Stephen Malone added, “the current state of officers has been working well and I agree no changes are necessary.”

 

The board voted to keep the board as is for the 2016 year, with the addition of Demant.

 

Several students from the primary, intermediate, middle and high schools S.T.A.C. (Student Technology Advisory Council) sat with the board and gave demonstrations of some of the school’s latest technological advances. 

 

Jack and Isabel Glomski showed how through their iPads, they could access an app that gives information on how kids are doing in their classes, gives live feedback, results of tests and gives students reminders for upcoming classes.

 

Two other students from the middle school talked about “Edmodo”, an educational technology company that offers communication, collaboration, and coaching tools to K-12 schools and teachers. The Edmodo network enables teachers to share content, distribute quizzes, assignments and manage communication with students, colleagues, and parents.

 

The two high school students talked about the calendar aspect of their iPads and how subscribing to certain calendars gives them the ability to keep things organized and be prepared for any upcoming assignments, tests or even activities.

 

The board sifted through the 12 committee assignments from last year and made adjustments for 2016.

 

Jurek will serve on the calendar, ECFE, classified negotiations and administrative negotiations committees.

 

Kindred will sit on curriculum, classified negotiations and individual contacts.

 

Molus will serve on community education, curriculum, certified negotiations and individual contacts.

 

Olson will serve on classified negotiations and the activities advisory committees.

 

Swanson will sit on certified negotiations, individual contracts and the activities advisory committees.

 

Demant will serve on the free & reduced price meals, certified negotiations, administrative negotiations, nutrition and technology committees.

 

Kindred gave a report on technology and much discussion followed on how to deal with public Wi-Fi access.

 

The board approved last month’s minutes, disbursements, financial reports, personnel, gifts, annual agenda, official depository, auditor, legal counsel, official newspaper, board meeting dates and conduct electronic fund transfers.

 

They also made an amendment to their strategic goals for the 2016-17 school year, including making date changes.

 

The next school board meeting is Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m.