Northland School Board: Student Disciplinary and Performance Hot Topic

   The regular board meeting held Thurs., June 17 had a few parents attend to address concerns with the school system to the board. One concern heard was from Sidney Rice about how he feels the students are being let down by parents, teachers, administration and even the school board on their education. Rice stated test scores over the past several years have gradually been declining and not increasing and feels that something needs to be done to help educate our children. 

   The other concern was from Kristine Waddell stating that she felt that the district is doing a disservice to the students by allowing them to have multiple attempts on completing assignments and also allowing students to turn in assignments late and still receive full credit. Waddell mentioned she feels this is not preparing the students for the “real world” as they would not get multiple chances to get things done. 

   Board members then had a lengthy discussion on the current disciplinary program in place and whether the system was working. Board Chair Marc Ruyak had sent an email, to superintendent Pat Rendle, with concerns he had received from parents and also concerns he had as a parent with students attending the school district himself. Rendle had also forwarded the email to principal Mary Yakibchuk and assistant principal Jon Payne, which was then addressed in the assistant principal report.

   Payne handed out a packet to all board members which addressed the concerns about the Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, the different tiers of support the staff follows during disciplinary action and the support rooms.   One of the main concerns Ruyak mentioned was concerning the tier 3 students, which are repeat offenders of disciplinary  actions. Ruyak’s understanding was that these students are removed from the room and sent to the turn around/support room, are allowed to come back to the classroom when their behavior improves and then if the student acts up again they are sent back to the turn around/support room.  It is felt this is more of a distraction to the other students by having a student in and out of the classroom multiple times. Another concern Ruyak had heard was sometimes these students come back to the classroom with a toy or treat. Social worker Terri Shepard stated that this was not the case and if a student came back with treats it was because they were involved in a reward point system that was set up to encourage good behavior.

   A few other concerns were discussed about current disciplinary procedures and what category certain actions were considered. 

   Yakibchuk shared her report with information on a recent four day responsive classroom workshop the teachers just completed, stating it went very well and was “healing.” An update on summer school was given stating there was three classes with 17 students in each class at the elementary level, 17 students at the junior high level and 30 high school students doing the credit recovery program.

   Ruyak then briefly discussed the need for the school to offer a gifted and talented program as he believes currently the school focuses more time on the students needing special help. Yakibchuk stated this is a program that she has been wanting to begin, but when covid-19 began it was put off. Another program Ruyak would like to begin is focusing on American history and exceptionalism by having the students study and celebrate a different part of American history every month.

   In other Board action:

   • Approved the Revenue/Expenditure Budget for FY22.

   • Accepted the resignation of the following staff: Katelyn Lovdahl, paraprofessional effective May 26, 2021; Nancy Grabinski, paraprofessional effective Aug. 31, 2021 and Max Torgerson, title I teacher and activities director effective June 30, 2021.

   • Accepted the retirement of Carol O’Brien, paraprofessional effecitve June 3, 2021.

   • Approved the hire of Amber Schuessler for 12 month custodian effective June 7, 2021.

   • Discussed how to proceed with the activities director position by either hiring for just Northland or possibly sharing with another school district.

   • Discussed the possibility of having a student board member.

   • Approved a letter of correction with MSEA-NCS regarding 2021-22 salary schedules.

   • Approved 2021-23 Master Agreement with Northland Remer Education Minnesota.

   • Approved a one-time lump sum payment to all 1.0 FTE members (others prorated based on FTE) of $1,000 by Sept. 15, 2021, for the purpose of attracting and retaining teachers.

   The Board scheduled the following meetings: a special meeting, Thurs., July 8 at 5:30, the regular meeting, Thurs,. July 15 at 5:30 p.m. and a work session, Thurs., Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m. all meetings are held at Northland High School.