FREDERIC- The school board met early, at 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 15, to include extra time for strategic planning work sessions, as well as their regular committee of the whole and school board meetings.
During the district administrator’s report, it was shared that changes expected to come from Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget would bring a $2.6 billion increase in funding, including investment in state general aids, per-pupil adjustments, special education, fully funded meals for all students, goals of improving literacy and reading outcomes, financial literacy, math, computer science and addressing teacher workforce shortages, among others.
It was also stated that Northwood Tech had released the 2021-22 annual high school report. Of the five transcript courses offered through Frederic in business and health, the school also offered two courses in family and consumer science. Of the 40 school districts with agreements in place, it was said that Frederic’s seven total articulation agreements outpace many school districts of similar size. The district plans to continue to expand their agreements with Northwood Tech, saying, “The more we have, the more our students have opportunities to earn college credits while in high school.”
Over the last six weeks Jada Anderson, pupil services director, also developed and delivered a four-part verbal intervention series to Frederic staff after attending a three-day training session last fall in the Twin Cities, where she became a certified trainer in crisis prevention and verbal interventions. The purpose of the series was said to be to increase the staff’s knowledge and understanding of their role in student behaviors, emphasizing strategies and tools staff can use when they encounter challenging situations. Anderson emphasized the integrated experience, which means behavior influences behavior. Student behavior influences and impacts staff behavior, just as staff behavior influences student behavior. Anderson provided staff members with handouts and video lessons, touching on such topics as tension reduction, the verbal escalation continuum and risk behavior.
Strategic planning for the future was also worked on, and the members of the board shared various missions, topics, methods and outcomes they would like to focus on moving forward with the goal of developing a three-year plan. Focuses included identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the success of the district. A timeline for implementation would include having the plan approved by March, introduced to the staff in April with a 100-day work-plan cycle based off the plan started after that, then continuing to be evaluated. Superintendent Josh Robinson said this is so the plan would be a working document that does not just sit on a shelf.
Reports from the elementary and 6-12 schools highlighted the recent accomplishments of the students, including participation in the Honor Choir trip, middle school forensics level 1, math counts competition, the FBLA of America regionals, the FFA rodeo, middle school solo and ensemble, and high school forensics subdistricts, as well as a Winter Wellness Day where students were able to enjoy various activities with peers such as swimming, ice-skating, skiing, snowboarding and going to the movies. For the elementary school, the recent Scripps Spelling Bee was highlighted, as well as competition among the fourth and fifth grades for a growth reward. The competition was to improve previous i-Ready scores taken at the beginning of the school year by 50% at the midpoint of the school year. Both fifth-grade classes met that goal with January’s test. Ms. Maier’s class had 82% growth, and Mr. McNaughten’s class had 78%, resulting in both classes receiving a sweet treat.
In other news, the 4K Round Up at the elementary school also happened Friday, Feb. 24, where parents were able to meet and schedule individual meetings with the 4K team. Students who will be attending 4K for the 2024-34 school year were able to spend the morning in the 4K classroom, participating in learning activities, eating lunch and boarding a school bus. Additionally, a bus transportation contract with the Siren Bus Company was approved, as long as both parties agree on some contract language adjustments. The 2023-24 school calendar was also approved.
The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. School board elections will be on April 4.
