Cathy Nathan10/4/22 School Board Meeting Preview and Recap
Updated: Oct 7
October 4 School Board Meeting Recap (courtesy of Director Karen MacLaughlin)
Watch the video recap here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if0my7FSb70
Focus Topic
The Focus Topic for the meeting was the Strategic Plan SCIP Update from Elton Hills Elementary School. Elton Hills Elementary School was our first site to report on their school’s continuous improvement plan which is an important part of the District's strategic plan. The presenters from Elton Hills talked about two of their goals.
The first was to hit their improvement targets in math, science, and reading. The strategies they are using include changing the approaches they used to teach reading, ensuring teachers get appropriate training and support, measuring and monitoring progress in order to adjust as needed, and engaging families. One way they did this was to have a book drive, and with the huge number of books they had donated, they were able to send home 20 books for free, and the parents picked out books for their children.
Another goal was to help students learn and use strategies that would help them understand and regulate their emotions so they would develop the kind of confidence and sense of self that will enable them to focus on learning. They discussed a number of ways to measure students progress and how they engaged with each other, their school work, and their own well-being.
Levy Approval
The school board approved the preliminary property tax levy and confirmed the required public meeting, scheduled for December 13, 2022, at 6 p.m. After that public meeting, the school board will adopt the final tax levy for property taxes payable in 2023. The one take away from this discussion is that because of recent growth in the district, the estimated annual school district property tax rates, in general, are projected to decline in 2023. There is more information in BoardDocs about how this will impact tax payers.
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day
On October 4, 2016, RPS formally voted to replace the designation of "Columbus Day" and instead recognize Indigenous People's Day on the second Monday of October each year. Many people now recognize the controversy and bloodshed that surround Christopher Columbus' legacy, and we now know he never actually set foot in North America. Instead, he is now associated with a violent, brutal chapter of history due to the harm he and his crew inflicted on many Indigenous peoples. RPS Native American Liaison Amelia Cordell presented information and ideas about what people can do to acknowledge this important holiday, such as:
Acknowledge the land you’re on and identify where the tribes are now
Enjoy being a steward of your local land
Share with others about Indigenous Peoples Day
Rebuild local ecosystems with native plants
Share and read books by indigenous peoples
Purchase from indigenous businesses (Twin cities or online)
Donate to a cause that supports Indigenous people
Visit a museum sharing Indigenous history
Share in the art of storytelling
Listen and learn via podcasts (links to suggested podcasts are in BoardDocs)
Watch an indigenous film or documentary
Attend a local event
Preview:
School Board Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 4 at 5:30pm. Draft agenda below and documents here: http://go.boarddocs.com/mn/rps535/Board.nsf/goto?open... Guide to the agenda: 📣Comments to the Board - info on how to make comments to the Board: https://www.rochesterschools.org/.../schoo.../communications ✏Want to know more about District plans to improve student academic outcomes and the new School Continuous Improvement Plan process? Watch agenda item 6.01 Strategic Plan SCIP - Elton Hills Elementary School Update 💲Want to know more about District finances? Watch agenda item 9.01 Approval of Proposed School District Property Tax Levy Payable 2023 📜Want to learn about why we honor indigenous peoples on October 10? Watch agenda item 9.02 Recognition of Indigenous People's Day 📅Want to know what's on upcoming School Board meeting agendas? Read agenda item 10.02 Most Recent Updated Annual Board Calendar Draft (ABCD) ❓What does 11.01 Closed Session: Labor Negotiations mean? State law allows the School Board to go into closed session to discuss ongoing negotiations with employee groups. If, following the closed session, there is a resolution for the School Board to approve regarding an agreement with an employee group, that will be introduced at the meeting when the Board returns from the closed session.
The School Board will be meeting in person in the board room at the Edison Building and the meeting will be streamed online at: www.youtube.com/isd535