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

The Board met at the District Office on September 21st, for its regular meeting. Superintendent Lundquist shared the following information relative to activities underway improve achievement, attendance and enrollment:

• The successes resulting from the summer professional development sessions and the all-staff opening day meeting were discussed.

• The future plans for continued collaboration on the Back to School Fest with Chemical Health were outlined.

• A goal for increasing graduation rates was added to the superintendent's professional plan, and the process for her annual evaluation were put in place.

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

• Red Lake Elementary School Principals reported a 62% participation rate of parents/families at the open house this year. In addition, an opening ceremony was hosted in the afternoon on the first day of school, and highlighted the school's theme for the year, "Soaring with Kindness."

• The Early Childhood Center similarly hosted an opening ceremony, with Chief Greeting Spears and Albert Kingbird who sang songs on his sacred drum. Nearly every child and adult joined in a dance for this uplifting spiritual event.

• A Ponemah Pride Behavior initiative was launched on the northern side of the Lake, which will emphasize "catching students doing positive things throughout the school." The efforts, which is based on the Seven Grandfather's Gifts, will spotlight the areas of bravery, humility, honesty, and truth. In addition, the staff will host the annual MCA Dinner for parents and families to recognize the students who have met proficiency levels in math and reading.

• The Secondary Complex, which consists of the 6-8 Middle School, and the 9-12 High School, is busy launching an initiative to implement a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum. This effort which take place over the next couple of years, will result in a standards-based, digitized curriculum, instruction and assessment framework for all courses, grades 6-12. In addition, the HS is launching a Freshman Focus campaign to drive at increased graduation rates, and the MS is heading into the third year of the Turnaround Arts initiative.

• The Assistant Superintendent for Supplemental Services hosted training in the Alternative Delivery System focused on interventions for students with a representative from the Minnesota Department of Education. An Interdisciplinary Review Team (IRT) continues to meet twice each month to collaboratively provide support for students and families from Comp Health, IHS, FCS, and other agencies.

• An increase in mice and bugs has been reported in schools this fall, which according to the Facilities Director is fairly common. We must exercise diligence in keeping the doors and windows closed, and all food products properly stored. Ground Beetles are prevalent this year and are often mistaken as roaches, and the first hard frost should mitigate this issue. In addition, the implementation efforts of ALICE strategies, designed for use in response to an armed intruder, continue to move forward in all buildings.

• The Transportation Director's report stated that bus inspections have been completed and all drivers have completed their required, annual safety training.

• The date was set for the annual truth-in-taxation hearing according to the Business Manager's report. It will take place at the district office, November 28th at 6:00 pm. In addition, the report detailed the proposed 2016-17 levy be certified at the maximum level which will next the district millions of dollars in exchange for an investment of less than $7,000.

• Human Resources Coordinator reported the district's substitute training for licensed and non-licensed staff. This training will be repeated throughout the year on a monthly basis. All staff have the option of completing required training, such as blood-borne pathogens and mandatory reporter training, via our Infinitec online training system.

• Food Service Coordinator reported the grand opening of the new cafeteria which took place on August 31, was well-attended and included legislative representatives, and other partners such as Red Lake Builders, Woodstone Builders, and DLR Architects. The Healthy US School Challenge, Silver Award was presented as part of the ceremony, which was covered by the Bemidji Pioneer.

In other business the Board approved new substitute lists, several revised board policies, and agreed to collaborate with various Tribal agencies to provide staff to the district for several projects such as the School Resource Officer, Family and Children's Services Caseworker, and a Parent Educator.