School Board Moving Forward to Support District Needs
Pierz School Board Members are moving forward on several key issues.
Addressing Facilities Issues
The Survey data the board accumulated after the referendum from last May had a very strong response rate and some key messages regarding the communities’ expectations of next steps. The main messages from the Pierz community were:
The School Board then assembled a large group of community members to review the key facilities needs and to meet with architects and construction specialists to present a model that is both efficient and effective in providing the needed space.
So the next steps are official Board Action. The facilities grouped used a timeline to determine how or if there is a possibility of having the classroom construction completed in time for the 2019-20 school year. If new space cannot be built, then the district would have to continue to use current modular units, current rental units, and possibly add additional rental units.
The timing of the completion, construction work, and election are important considerations. Of the five possible dates in 2018 legally allowed for a referendum, the latest possible date that could lead to having classrooms for children by 2019-20 would be an Election Date of April 10. In order for the Board to comply with that election date, it needs to pass a resolution and forward initial planning documents to the MN Dept. of Education in the month of January.
Open Enrollment
At a recent special meeting, the School Board has asked the Superintendent to evaluate the optimum school size based upon an Elementary (Four Section) School model and create the policies and procedures that would cap open enrollment numbers to stay within that model.
Superintendent Weber reported that there are some complications to the application process that would need time to work through, but overall there are several key points regarding Open Enrollment.
Also, because of how the schedule and teaching model works, the issue of grade level numbers is more significant in Elementary School than High School. Healy High School has more flexibility and opportunities to place students in a variety of classes and the grades become mixed together in the latter years.
Other Board Updates:
Addressing Facilities Issues
The Survey data the board accumulated after the referendum from last May had a very strong response rate and some key messages regarding the communities’ expectations of next steps. The main messages from the Pierz community were:
- We expect the board to change the plan to only address key needs.
- We expect the board to act quickly to address those needs.
- We support needed space that is for teaching and instruction.
The School Board then assembled a large group of community members to review the key facilities needs and to meet with architects and construction specialists to present a model that is both efficient and effective in providing the needed space.
So the next steps are official Board Action. The facilities grouped used a timeline to determine how or if there is a possibility of having the classroom construction completed in time for the 2019-20 school year. If new space cannot be built, then the district would have to continue to use current modular units, current rental units, and possibly add additional rental units.
The timing of the completion, construction work, and election are important considerations. Of the five possible dates in 2018 legally allowed for a referendum, the latest possible date that could lead to having classrooms for children by 2019-20 would be an Election Date of April 10. In order for the Board to comply with that election date, it needs to pass a resolution and forward initial planning documents to the MN Dept. of Education in the month of January.
Open Enrollment
At a recent special meeting, the School Board has asked the Superintendent to evaluate the optimum school size based upon an Elementary (Four Section) School model and create the policies and procedures that would cap open enrollment numbers to stay within that model.
Superintendent Weber reported that there are some complications to the application process that would need time to work through, but overall there are several key points regarding Open Enrollment.
- Any students currently open-enrolled remain in the district.
- The District can set limits per each grade, depending upon the open slots that are in each particular grade.
- The District will give priority to siblings of children already in the district.
Also, because of how the schedule and teaching model works, the issue of grade level numbers is more significant in Elementary School than High School. Healy High School has more flexibility and opportunities to place students in a variety of classes and the grades become mixed together in the latter years.
Other Board Updates:
- Working with all the Districts in our region to provide a consolidated Special Education facility for children whose disabilities require higher level settings. The goal is to develop one central location shared by all schools in our county as well as others who want to access it.
- Continue the training of teachers and implementation of the Math Curriculum that has had to dramatic impact on increased student engagement this year.
- Pursue participation in ongoing regional partnerships that have allowed our students to access some expensive manufacturing, medical and technical equipment through an equipment sharing program involving other school districts and supported through NJPA.
