IFalls.news
Menu
The ISD 361 School Board voted Unanimously to appoint Dale Johnson as the newest Director filling a vacancy for the resignation of Emily McGonigle. All board members emphasized the quality of both applicants. The other applicant was Reynold Calder. Below is the letter Dale Submitted to the School Board. "VACANT SCHOOL BOARD POSITION My name is Dale Johnson. I returned to International Falls after completing my career in commercial real estate and construction for several large corporations including Target and Wells Fargo Bank. After graduation I was fortunate enough to be accepted to Harvard thanks to the support I received from teachers, coaches and counselors at Falls High. I graduated from Falls High in1967 and currently have a grandchild attending the high school. This past school year I coached the JV track team and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My experience as a student was very positive. It has been disappointing for me, personally, to see the school district struggle with shrinking enrollment. My interest in being on the school board is to see if that can be rectified. I understand enrollment is tied to the population and the economy but also that school performance and reputation have a reciprocal affect. Problem solving success by using the ability to think and respond differently, negotiating settlements by being willing to compromise, communicating information verbally and in writing effectively, managing contracts, contractors and support staff and influencing people are all skills I’ve learned in my work experience in “Corporate America." The school board should provide students with a safe, challenging and supportive environment that allows them to explore a wide variety of studies and electives to develop their interests and aspirations. The school board should author a curriculum that provides students with the education to be successful in what ever career path is chosen after high school and is inclusive of the needs of all students. Declining student enrollment is an issue that threatens the future of the school. Funding is a function of enrollment and a decline inhibits the district’s ability to compete for teachers, offer advanced programs and satisfy all students ’needs. The community suffers when the schools are forced to make cuts. New residents look first to quality education opportunities for their children. New employers want to be assured an educated work force is available into the future. Options to consider are: drawing back students who have chosen other schooling options by marketing the school district’s advantages, combining schools within the district through curriculum instruction sharing, exploring ways to make better use of existing education facilities, forming alliances with neighboring school districts (including those in Ontario) to provide a more unique learning experience, partnering with local resources such as Voyagers Conservancy and indigenous organizations. An ideal future would see student enrollment growing, curriculum expanding and the community growing with more opportunities for students to prosper." Source: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1332?meeting=584414 He was chosen over Reynold Calder. The following is Reynold's letter to the board; "Application to fill vacancy on District 361 School Board Introduction: My name is Reynold Calder. I graduated from Falls High in 1967. An important part of my high school experience: I was a member of the 1965 State Hockey Championship Team. In 1967, I was selected as the All-State goalie for the State of Minnesota. Subsequently, I became an inductee to the Bronco Hall of Fame. After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Viet-Nam. After my military service, I attended Bemidji State and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in secondary education. After teaching for two years, I attended graduate school for two years in Oklahoma. Later attending Luther Seminary. My academic and teaching career did not resume until! later in my work life. In 2010, I obtained a teaching position at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta. In 2013, I retired and in 2016 moved home to International Falls. I am interested in the position as board member as I have had a life long interest in education. I feel education is the key to a life well lived, despite the difficulties life brings to everyone. The ability to persist and strive each day depends in large part on our educational experience. The skill set I hope to bring to the board are: an ability to listen, an ability to analyze, and an ability to communicate succinctly and effectively. Perhaps, the most debilitating factor of leadership would be a Board that is distant from the students and the community. Therefore, the relationship between the school board, the students, and the community should be constructive and collaborative. A couple issues facing education today are financial concernsJ and school safety. I applaud the work the school board did during the Covid Crisis. However, dealing with the current issues may be equally challenging. Solving these issues necessitates a full-fledged effort to obtain community buy-in and a feeling of participation. The key to that success: communication with the community. The ideal future for our school district would include support from the community, student academic excellenceJ and an activities program that is inclusive. Those ideals are probably not realistic or achievable. They are markers for the direction which we, collectively, can point towards. What this means for students is, equal opportunity for success during their high school experience. I look forward to the opportunity to working with the board in a unifying and enjoyable manner. Sincerely, Reynold K. Calder Contact Information Redacted" Source: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1332?meeting=584414 This video is bookmarked for the beginning of the discussion about the candidates.Video Source: https://youtu.be/R3YDqXSfDKc
0 Comments
Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance The ISD 361 School Board meeting commenced with a roll call, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Agenda The board unanimously approved the agenda without any additions or discussions. Public Open Forum The public open forum was briefly addressed, but no members of the public were present to participate. Consent Agenda The board approved the consent agenda, which consisted of items 1 through 85. Policy Updates The board discussed a large number of policy updates. The policy group had reviewed approximately half of these a month ago, and the remaining half two weeks ago. The board acknowledged that there are many changes happening currently, with another 30 policies expected to be updated in the near future due to legislative changes. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) The board discussed an annual MOU, referred to as the QComp MOU. No major changes were noted in this MOU. Fourth of July Fireworks The board discussed the city of International Falls' Fourth of July fireworks event. The city uses the school's facilities for the event, with the fire department overseeing safety. The board was recommended to approve this arrangement. Facility Committee Meeting The Facility Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the 10-year plan. The board will review this plan, with a focus on the 24-25 year. The board also discussed the approval of the final budget for the current year and the approval of next year's budget. Superintendent Evaluation The board discussed the superintendent evaluation process. The superintendent will provide a summary of the work done over the past year, and board members will submit their evaluations to Michelle Hopkins. Personnel Recommendations The board discussed personnel recommendations. A recommendation was made for a PD teacher in elementary school, who is also being recommended for a basketball coach position. The board also discussed the posting of an assistant position for volleyball and noted that there were already candidates for the position. Performance Review of Coaches The board discussed the performance review of coaches and the documentation of these reviews. The new athletic director, Mr. Ringhoffer, who starts on July 1, will be bringing an updated handbook. He plans to have a pre-meeting with all coaches and a parent meeting at the start of the season. The board discussed the possibility of recording these meetings for those who cannot attend. Approval of Personnel Recommendations The board moved to approve the personnel recommendations. A question was raised about the C team coach for volleyball, and it was clarified that the C team coach has the right to apply for the open JV position, but they are not required to do so. The motion to approve the personnel recommendations was carried unanimously. Action Items The board moved on to the action items. The first resolution was presented, and the board discussed the process for reviewing these items. Cooperative Agreements with Cornerstone Christian School The board discussed and approved cooperative agreements with Cornerstone Christian School for various sports, including volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls cross country, effective for the 2023 to 2024 school year. Enrollment Numbers The board discussed enrollment numbers, noting that they are not yet solid. The current numbers show 16 new students enrolling and 11 leaving. The board discussed the reasons for students leaving, which included moving away and opting for online schooling. Summer School Program The board received an update on the summer school program, which is going well with 13 students in the grade 6-9 program and 14 in the 10-12 program. The program will continue for another three weeks after a two-week break. Conclusion The ISD 361 School Board meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn. The board covered a wide range of topics, demonstrating their commitment to addressing staffing concerns, fostering cooperative agreements, monitoring enrollment numbers, and ensuring the success of their summer school program. The board will continue to make decisions that best serve the students of ISD 361. Video Source: KCC-TV's YouTube Channel Meeting Agenda
MINNESOTA – The recently unveiled "Due North Education Plan" by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is set to steer the future of education in Minnesota. The plan aims to ensure that every child receives a high-quality education regardless of their race or zip code 1. Students at Independent School District No. 361 (ISD 361) in International Falls will be among those potentially affected by these changes. ISD 361 is a small school district with a total enrollment of 994 students, with 511 students at Falls Elementary School and 483 students at Falls High School. The district prides itself on being in partnership with parents and the community to prepare every student to become a productive citizen 2. The new education plan will provide opportunities and challenges that can directly impact the students in this district. The Due North Education Plan outlines a series of priorities and strategies designed to enhance the education system in Minnesota. These include:
The district's mission of developing every student's maximum potential within a safe climate of mutual respect and trust aligns with the plan's emphasis on creating a safe and nurturing learning environment. This may result in strengthened student relationship-building and mental health supports in the district. The plan's commitment to closing the opportunity gap and expanding opportunities could lead to increased resources and support for the district, given its location in Greater Minnesota. This may include more rigorous coursework options, expanded career and technical education pathways, and potentially greater school finance equity. While the specific impacts of the Due North Education Plan on ISD 361 will become clearer in the coming months and years, the plan's overall emphasis on quality education for all, irrespective of race or zip code, aligns with the district's mission of maximizing the potential of every student. In this context, the plan represents a promising step toward enhancing educational opportunities and outcomes for students in ISD 361 and throughout Minnesota. Image source: https://education.mn.gov/ Image source: https://education.mn.gov/ View the AI prompt used to generate this article
write a news article about Minnesotas department of educations new Due North Education Plan and how it may specifically effect students at isd361. cite your sources. |
Ted Saxton and TedBotAll articles contain some level of assistance from artificial intelligence. The content the AI is trained on is publicly available and will often be cited in the article whenever possible. |