Supt. Stephen Malone said all school buildings were recently tested for  the presence of radon. The number of samples collected were: Primary School 120, Intermediate School 87, Middle School 97, High School 134. 

 

Malone reported all the samples were below the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, so all the schools are free of radon concerns. The tests will be conducted again in five years.

 

 

Malone went on to congratulate administrators and staff members for the success the school’s students have experienced during the first half of the 2018-19 school year. 

 

“The commitment of our administrators and staff make our schools amazing,” he said.

 

 

Malone said the academic goal for this year is for students to achieve one year of growth in reading and math. Of the 16 grade levels tested by NWEA and MCA, Malone says eight achieved their goal last year. 

 

Also noted, mid-year math and reading testing for students was conducted last month. A review of data, academic standards, and instructional differentiation is currently underway, Malone says. 

 

“I am confident that we can achieve our goal for every grade level to attain one year of growth in reading and math this year.”

 

 

Kevin Januszewski  provided an overview of school finance for Minnesota Public Schools.

 

He discussed the various funds associated with the schools including general, food service, community services, building & construction, debt service and trust & agency funds.

 

Januszewski  said there were 870,737 students in public schools in 2018. For non-public and homeschooled kids, there were 84,773. 

 

In the state, 37% of students are eligible for free or reduced meals. Januszewski   said Becker has 18.8%.

 

There are 331 school districts in Minnesota with the largest being the Anoka-Hennepin district of 38,113 students. The smallest is Milroy with 30 students and Becker is #68 with 2,813 students.

 

Januszewski  talked about K-12 education funding history and basic general education aid. He provided other state formula aids and special education funding. He also talked about the local tax levy and federal funding, including how those federal funds are spent.

 

 

The consent agenda was presented which included minutes from the Jan. 7 meeting, a financial report for January, disbursements, personnel changes, February gifts accepted and discontinuance of positions and/or programs for the next school year.

 

The meeting closed out with discussion on the superintendent search process.

 

 

The next Becker School Board meeting is April 1 at 6:30 p.m.