SWAN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

District School Improvement Team/Curriculum Coordinating Council

Monday, February 13, 2012

Marvin L. Johnson Administration Center

6:30 p.m.

Present:  Kathryn Louks, Tammy Webb, Dave Essmann, Karla Parker, Lori Ferrier, Kelly Conger, Carrie Leddy, Shelly DuCharme, Colleen Schaeding, Diane Fong, Craig Blower, Heidi Erlenbeck, JoAnn Schneider, Tom Bell, Shelly DuRussel, Charleen Boland, and Rich Dyer, Dave Moore

MINUTES

1. Welcome and Introductions – Dave Moore

2. Update on Curriculum Initiatives for 2011-12 – Rich Dyer

Rich updated the committee on the current initiatives.  In progress are the K-12 World Languages, which have been broken into grades 6-12 (chaired by Shelly DuRussel) and grades K-5 (chaired by Dave Essmann. 

The grades K-5 English/LA have been newly formed and will begin work later this month. 

HS Industrial Arts and 6-12 music have one person committees who are working on revising curriculum. 

Grants have been approved by the state.  The HS has implemented a Credit Recovery Program, MS has added time to their paraprofessional and the elementary schools have purchased technology to work with. 

Common Core Standards were also explained by Rich. 

3. Update on MEAP Results – Rich Dyer

Rich updated the committee on the MEAP Results, by saying that the results have been released to the district, but the district is not allowed to release them publicly.  He stated that generally speaking, SV is 5^th overall out of 17 local districts.

4. Update on Study Committees – Dave Moore

a. Special Education – Dave stated that the Special Education Committee is still at work.  The committee continues it’s work, started in 2010-11.  The committee has three sub groups – MiBLSi, Assessment, and Transitions.  Next meeting is Wednesday, Feb 15.

b. Bond issue – This committee is in the process of investigating what kind of bond might be needed: sinking fund, extending a bond, or purchasing a new bond.

5. Update on Managing My Education (MME) class at the HShjFSDFJFSDFJ for 2012-13 – Shelly DuRussel

Shelly updated the committee on the new MME class.  The SV Board of Education has approved the class will be a 2^nd trimester class for all juniors.  Students may opt out if they have met the college ready requirements.  This has been a long process of investigation. The HS staff began looking at this over a year ago.  HS administration has presented this information to the SV Board of Education, Board Curriculum Committees and DSIT/CCC on two occasions. They have had extensive discussions with HS staff and the Parent Advisory Council.

6. Update on any curriculum issues at Havens Elementary – Dave Essmann

Dave discussed the use of Title funds within his building.  They have purchased IPads and have now formed IPad clubs.  Additional training will be given to teachers so that they can integrate technology into the new science materials. 

7. Update on any curriculum issues at Shields Elementary – Shelly DuCharme

Shelly discussed base camps being used in her school.  She also reviewed the TLT (Teacher Leadership Team), the Viking of the Month program, and the use of stability balls in the class. 

8. Update on any curriculum issues at Swan Valley Middle School – Craig Blower

Craig updated the committee on curriculum work in Spanish that has been done in his building.  They are also working hard to integrate technology with their science materials.  He has also worked with staff on assessment strategies.  Currently, all students are receiving a quarterly assessment in all classes. 

9. Discussion on the budget for 2012-13

Dave Moore said that work has just started to begin on the 2012-13 budget.  Many things go into developing a budget.  Enrollment has a big part in the fact that 152 students will be graduating in 2012 and this past year we only had 116 new kindergarteners.  In addition, the contribution by the district into the retirement system is going up substantially, insurance costs are rising, and salaries and benefits have not decreased.  He will try to update the committee with more concrete numbers at the next meeting.   

10.  Discussion on the Strategic Plan Ideas for 2012-13

Members were asked to review the current Strategic Plan and be ready to offer any ideas for next years plan. 

11.  Other

12.  Future Meeting Dates / Times:   April 16, 2012