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

The Board met at the district office on January 18stfor its regular meeting. Superintendent Lundquist shared the following information relative to her efforts to improve achievement, attendance and graduation rates:

• A presentation of the collaborative partnership between the Red Lake School District and Tribe to acquire solar power was detailed by Bugger McArthur. The Tribe will capture and store excess energy, and over the course of the next five years, pay to purchase the equipment to do this. After five years, the equipment will be owned, along with the storage, greatly reducing electricity costs. The solar panels will be installed at the Casinos in late spring, and on school property by mid- to late-summer.

• In addition, Jerald Cobenais addressed the Board with a request to collaborate with the High School to host their annual Youth Conference. It is scheduled to take place on May 10-12, and as in the past, the school district will assist in providing some meals for visiting students attending the sessions, as well as our enrolled students, who will be required to be at the conference.

• The Tribal Truancy Court Project report indicated that eight new petitions have been filed with the courts, and an addition 43 hearings were scheduled in the month of December. The School Resource Officer's report stated the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education program will graduate all grade five students at RLES on Friday, January 20th, at 1:30 pm. A full range of activities, competitions, recognition and refreshments will be offered as part of the celebration.

• The Superintendent made the Board aware of the growing concerns for the overcrowding conditions at RLES and ECC. Since the District has yet to receive funding from the Governor's Bonding Bill, it is unclear as to whether there will be adequate classroom space for students, by the fall of 2018. If the funding is not forthcoming the Board was advised that it will be necessary to consider whether or not to move grade five students to a wing in the Middle School.

In other reports, supervisors and principals offered updates on their activities, including the following:

• As part of the Business Manager's report, a representative from Miller McDonald accounting firm summarized the annual audit, the findings of which indicate the District is in solid financial condition, with at least three months of average expenditures in unassigned fund balance, as required by Board Policy. It was also noted that Red Lake Schools continues to be included in the Governor's Bonding Bill, for $14,000,000. In addition the Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures were reviewed.

• The Food Service Coordinator's report indicated daily participation rates for both breakfast and lunch continue to be high.

• Conferences are scheduled at the RLES and ECC from 1:00-7:00, and will include opportunities for parents and guardians to attend learning sessions in the computer labs, and an evening meal. The Elementary Honor Society will be selling baked goods as well to raise funds. In addition the report stated that enrollment has been steady this year, and daily attendance continues to be up overall.

• At the Ponemah School's winter music program, held on December 15, was wildly successful. Students performed for guests by singing, playing ukuleles, xylophones and also provided a drum and hoop dance performance.

• The Director of Facilities and Safety reported the snow removal efforts continue to go well, the CCAP (cleaning cost analysis plan) is being reviewed as part of the ongoing continuous improvement plans, and that pass key boxes have been installed at the Ponemah Boys' and Girls' Club and Red Lake Humanities Center to provide access for the relocation of students and staff in a crisis situation.

• At the Secondary Complex the Freshman Focus initiatives continues to meet with success as a means of increasing student graduation rates. Mr. Rogers is working to raise funds for incentive activities through the sale of food during home basketball games. Both basketball teams are enjoying tremendously successful seasons, with two students, Rob McClain, Jr. and Grace White, reaching career milestones of over 1000 rebounds. Currently there are over 30 students on track to graduate in May.

• The Transportation Director's report indicated three buses experienced problems with breakdowns. Mr. English is exploring the option of purchasing a couple of used (but with low miles) buses to replace the oldest vehicles in the fleet.

• The Assistant Superintendent provided detailed information on the requirement for the district to provide continuum of services as per federal law. Discussions are underway to ensure proper reconfiguration of current programs to ensure this requirement continues to be met for all students.

• In the report submitted by the Human Resources Coordinator plans to augment the process for the completion of background checks were detailed. In collaboration with the Tribal Courts, the district will submit a memo to the court administrator for additional local background check prior to recommendation for employment.

• The Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment staff report detailed the efforts to host the second, all-staff professional development day, held at the Secondary Complex (Middle School and High School Buildings). The day was an overwhelming success, based upon the positive feedback received from participants, and will continue to evolve as needs are gathered from staff for future sessions.

• In the Community Education Coordinator's report stated the District has received a grant from the Minnesota Office of Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, to host a one day workshop titled "The Healing Journey" to support teen parents in the prevention of birth defects, birth control issues, health and healing for Native communities and other pertinent topics, in partnership with Chemical Health, Oshkiimaajitahdah, Redby Treatment Center, and Family and Children's Services among others.

In other business the Board set the date for a special board meeting to take place at 3:00pm, on February 1, assigned members to district committees, and provided a satisfactory rating for Superintendent Lundquist's annual evaluation.

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