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

The Board met at Red Lake High School on November 18th, for its regular meeting. Superintendent Lundquist shared the following information relative to activities underway improve achievement, attendance and enrollment:

* Parent Education Partnership Projects is underway as part of the State of Minnesota, Indian Education Program Funding. Support for parent education training, including the acquisition of resources and parenting tools/activities will be provided.

* Officer Richardson, School Resource Officer (SRO) provided a report on the various actions she has engaged in during her first month of service in Red Lake Schools. This position is an important component in the Tribal Truancy Court project, which is designed to improve attendance and student outcomes.

* Bullying prevention pamphlets were shared with board members, which detail the District's Bullying Prevention efforts in each school.

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

* The Assessment Coordinator provided an overview of the annual report for the District's Strategic Plan, also known as the World's Best Workforce Plan, as required by State Law.

* At RLES the staff decided to implement a new writing portfolio project whereby writing samples will move with student from kindergarten to grade five. The students' growth will be highlighted during an Honor Brunch in grade five when the portfolios are presented to all parents.

* The Ponemah School has implemented an intervention framework for all students. This approach will ensure all students have access to additional support as needed to achieve specified objectives. In addition, the school staff have launched a reading challenge with a goal to read 1,000,000 words between November 9th and December 18th!

* At the Middle School the Turnaround Arts team launched this year's initiative with the second annual Tie Dye Friday event. All students and staff dyed shirts that they will wear as part of their community building efforts.

* The Human Resources Coordinator's report outlined the new Clear Cost program available to all school employees. The online tool allows participants to reduce the cost of health care services, and compare performance of health care providers.

* At the High School 16 students visited BSU to participate in college and career readiness exploration sessions. In addition, the second group of students will be touring Red Lake Nation College to build familiarity with programs and post-secondary opportunities.

* The Special Services Director's report detailed the impact poor employee attendance has on special education services.

* The Facilities Department report included a new snow removal handbook which outlines procedures. This new approach is expected increase the efficiency and effectiveness of snow removal considerably. In addition, the District has recently completed the complete re-keying of every door in all buildings which will increase the security of all facilities considerably.

* The Transportation Director's report indicated that two new drivers are up and running, and two more individuals are in the process of becoming licensed.

* The Food Service Coordinator's report indicated that the "breakfast in the classroom" service is going well, and that by delivering breakfast to students via the breakfast cart, increases the number of students eating each morning.

* The report from the Business Manager noted the District was awarded $500,000 to replace the roof on the Ponemah School. In addition, the District has scheduled the required "Truth in Taxation" to take place December 1, at 6:00 in the District Office. The meeting is open to the public.

In other business the Board approved the purchase of a new vehicle to transport students to required programs and they approved the 2015-17 master Agreement with Minnesota School Employees' Association.