Ekalath Sophaphanh from ICS, met with the School Board last week to review plans for Bus Garages in Two Harbors and Silver Bay. The upgrades for both garages will include new overhead doors, new heating and mechanical systems, bathrooms, energy efficient windows and new roofing and siding. The garage in Two Harbors will be contained in the current building’s footprint. The Silver Bay facility will have an addition that will include office, storage, and bathroom space. The Board approved the solicitation of bids for the project. Once bids are secured, construction on the garages will start in the Spring of 2024 and will likely last for 3 to 4 months.
Minnehaha Principal Brett Archer presented an overview of recent MCA testing data to the board. Proficiency scores in reading and math were strong prior to the pandemic but, as is the case across the nation, scores slipped during the lockdown. Students reading proficiency scores are rebounding but district personnel acknowledge that there is still work to be done. The same is true with regard to math proficiency. District staff are focusing their work in professional development on strategies that will continue to help students rebound from the deficits imposed by the Covid pandemic. It should be noted that MCA scores are impacted by students who opted out of testing. While families have the right to have their students not take the test, those students, because they are enrollees, are counted as “Not Meeting Standards” when tabulations for each school are made. Often, proficiency tests can contain specific detailed suggestions for improving one’s reading or math proficiency. Such information can be helpful to teachers, parents and to students who want to strengthen their academic skills.
Four Lake Superior School District Teachers were recognized for achieving tenure. They are Ben Hudson, Tim Bott, Celina Thies and Laura Wieck. Candidates for tenure are evaluated over a three-year period by a peer review committee and decisions to award tenure are made in consultation between the committee and the school board. Tenure is based on evidence of teacher effectiveness.
Replacement playground equipment has been installed at Minnehaha and at William Kelley. Online guitar and piano lessons are being offered through the Community Education Department and Homecoming was a success despite the rain.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for November 14th at William Kelley High School. The meeting starts at 6:00.
