Entering the ISD 166 school building this school year will be different than it’s ever been. The only entrance open to the public will be the Eagle Doors, and visitors will need to check in with an administrative assistant behind a new window in the vestibule before proceeding into the building.
But the staff should be friendly and warm, according to Superintendent Beth Schwarz. She talked with the school board on August 15, 2013 about several new job descriptions, including those of the administrative assistants. Respect, friendliness, and customer service will be emphasized. Schwarz said she wants visitors to know they will be treated civilly and with respect.
In a posting on the superintendent’s facebook page, Schwarz wrote, “One of the school board’s goals this year is to work on school culture. This means a lot of different things within our building, including making sure everyone who enters our building feels welcomed and respected. I certainly hope every interaction with school employees and students is positive. We are working hard to make sure this is the case!”
Crossing guards
The school is reconsidering its plan—which was based on the recommendation of the Safe Routes to Schools Committee — to have only two crossing guards, both at the top of First Avenue West.
Along Fifth Street, kids cross heavily used driveways by the tennis courts, outside the elementary school parking lot, and at the top of First Avenue West, and have traditionally crossed the street at the top of Broadway as well.
Board member Sissy Lunde said Broadway is often lined with parked cars, making it dangerous even with crossing guards.
Safe Routes to School Coordinator Jerry Hiniker agreed with the concerns, saying he wished they could control car traffic better.
Hiniker said statistics show that parents dropping kids off at school create traffic dangers. Board member Ed Bolstad recommended that they consider creating a different drop-off spot.
They cannot stop kids from crossing where they will cross or walking where they will walk, Superintendent Beth Schwarz said, but they can make note of dangerous behavior and talk to kids about it.
Any plan they come up with will generate objections, Hiniker said.
Maintenance Director Tom Nelson said he believes they need crossing guards at several crossing points. “It’s going to slow down the traffic,” he said.
Hiniker said he would like to find some adult volunteers to help supervise the walking routes and road crossings.
The Safe Routes to School committee will meet at the beginning of September, and the results of their discussion will be brought back to the school board’s meeting on September 19.
College in the Schools
New 6-12 Principal Adam Nelson gave his first report to the board after starting his job earlier in the week.
Nelson said he had already been working on the school’s options for College in the Schools (CITS) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
To continue offering College in the Schools classes offered in partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) institutions like Lake Superior College, instructors would need to have a minimum of 16 graduate credits in the subject they would be teaching. Many teachers have master’s degrees in education but not in the field they are teaching.
MnSCU is giving ISD 166 some time to figure out what they want to do about continuing to offer CITS classes. The only teacher already approved to teach CITS this year is business education teacher Jane Gellner, said Elementary Principal Gwen Carman, last year’s preK-12 principal.
Not every college or university accepts CITS credits, Principal Nelson said, but the alternative, AP classes, do not guarantee college credit. He said he had a cousin who started as a sophomore in college, however, because of all the AP classes he had taken in high school.
Advanced Placement classes offer college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. High examination scores allow students to enter higher-level classes and obtain course credits.
Superintendent Schwarz will discuss this issue with the faculty and the Academic Team. Lockers
After hearing concerns about proposed fees for hallway and locker room locks ($7 per lock), the school may offer two free locks to students, which they could keep. Replacements would need to be purchased.
Students wanting locks will be required to use those provided by the school.
Staff turnover
Superintendent Schwarz said that although people resign for “a lot of reasons,” retirement accounts for a lot of the recent turnover in staff. This year, some have obtained administrative positions in other schools, some have moved out of the area with their families, and some have retired.
One staff member who retired was Malena Johnson, whose resignation the board accepted “with regret and great appreciation.”
YMCA board
The school board appointed Jeanne Anderson to the Cook County Community YMCA Board of Directors.
Next meeting
The next school board meeting will be September 5. A “meet and greet” will be held at 4:30 prior to the 5:00 meeting for the board and the community to meet new members of the staff.
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