Superintendent's Summary of the Red Lake School District #38 April Board Meeting

The Board met at Red Lake Elementary School on April 15th for its regular meeting. Superintendent Lundquist shared the following information relative to activities underway improve achievement, attendance and enrollment:

* Chairman Seki, who was scheduled to meet with the Board was unable to attend due to a death in his family. This conversation will be postponed, and will take place at a future meeting.

* The superintendent provided an update on the current activities underway to increase achievement, attendance and enrollment, including the recommendation the District's amend its current assessment system to include the FAST Bridge, formative benchmark tests. This change which will significantly reduce the number of tests administered and increase the amount of instructional time for students; and result in an annual savings of approximately $15,000.

* The District has received a number of quality applications for the Middle School Principal position; interviews will take place later this month.

* The Superintendent will travel to St. Paul for the second time in the past month to speak with legislators regarding important educational legislation and funding issues.

Each of the buildings and district departments offered updates on their activities, including the following:

* At RLES, 67% of the students had a parent/guardian attend conferences, which represents a significant increase over last year's spring attendance numbers. The 2015 Summer School Academy will run from June 1-25, for an estimated 200 students.

* The Ponemah School offered a full week of "MCA Blast Off!" activities to increase motivation for the annual tests. The activities were well received and it is expected tests scores will show an increase over last year.

* Discipline referrals at the Middle School are down by about 50% from last year. This progress is due to the excellent teamwork of MS staff, and the collaborative efforts of administrators, students and their families. The Parent Advisory Committee, led by Irene Zamora continues to gain momentum; the next meeting is scheduled for April 22.

* Eight students traveled to Washington, D.C., on a study trip last month where they were given the opportunity to lead and participate in discussion of relevant issues of governmental concern. Several hundred students from across the country took part in the event which included tours of several governmental buildings and monuments, mock-congress sessions, and introductions to Senators Franken, Klobuchar and Peterson.

* The District has plans to update the Middle and High School security cameras and recorders. Arrangements are underway to collaborate with Tribal agencies to host summer work camps for visiting youth to assist with home improvement projects throughout the reservation.

* A workload analysis has been conducted by the Special Services Director which will ensure all students and staff have access to and are able to provide quality programs. The District continues to seek a qualified school psychologist and psychologist intern.

* The Food Service Coordinator has placed an order for new breakfast meal carts. The funding for the carts will be paid for by the Breakfast Improvement Grant recent awarded to the District and will increase the efficiency of the delivery of meals to students.

* The Transportation Department expects trips to increase with the scheduling of school field trips, baseball, softball and golf activities this spring.

In addition the board adopted and affirmed many of the policies in the 500 series, which address student programs and activities. The District's Technology Plan will be examined in more detail at the May Board Meeting with a presentation from Technology Coordinator, Kenny Perreault. The Board approved of the sale of surplus equipment via the school and the Red Lake Nation News websites. The Board also reviewed and approved the 2015-16 staffing proposal.