Jeff Flaten

The board meeting resumed after a recess. Key discussions included recognitions, thanking Atlas program students and staff for assistance with cleaning and delivery of early childhood items at the Washington Educational Services Building prior to the move. Continuous improvement goal presentations were delivered for Lowel Elementary and Brainard High School. Lowel Elementary focused on literacy goals, reviewing MCA proficiency rates, discussing the MTSS process improvements, and setting goals for the current year around reading proficiency and instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics. Brainard High School reported on the previous year's literacy goal concerning high-risk 9th and 10th graders on the FastBridge assessment, which was not met, and a goal concerning unexcused student attendance, which was also not met. The school theme for the year is "Make a Splash, Turn the Ordinary into Extraordinary."

This document provides a comprehensive overview of Brainerd Public Schools, showcasing its enduring commitment to academic excellence, innovative opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging for every student. Key areas emphasized include a rich history of academic achievement, extensive extracurricular activities spanning arts, athletics, and clubs, and a supportive environment for student development from early childhood through high school. The school district aims to cultivate confident learners, strong relationships, and essential character traits, preparing graduates to contribute successfully to society.

The content, framed as Superintendent Larson's December 2016 Newsletter, summarized key activities from the last board meeting on December 12th. Discussions included the Truth in Taxation hearing, presentation of the 2016 payable 2017 tax levy, and an overview of Minnesota school finance and the current budget status. The Board of Education approved the 2016 payable 2017 tax levy at the maximum, representing a 1.36 percent increase. Furthermore, the Board discussed the Comprehensive Long Range Facility Plan and agreed to solicit a request for quotes for program management services to assist with subsequent steps. The Superintendent also announced the make-up day for a previous snow day, scheduling school for Monday, February 20, 2017, and communicated the holiday break schedule.

The meeting, conducted in accordance with Minnesota statutes 13D.02, focused on one action item: the approval to offer an early retirement incentive to eligible certified staff. The incentive is intended to provide salary and benefit savings through staff turnover or position elimination. Twenty-six individuals were identified as eligible for this specific incentive. The board also discussed the financial implications, noting an estimated minimum obligation based on the incentive amounts offered. A key discussion point involved excluding speech language certified staff from this initial group due to the difficulty in filling those positions, with a strategy in place to create separate, creative incentives for them later. The board adopted the resolution for the one-time early retirement incentive.

The meeting commenced with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of an amended agenda. Key discussion points included an amendment to the fiber optic system agreement requiring specific conditions regarding deadlines and authority for fiber release. District recognitions celebrated scholarship recipients and commended various athletic teams and coaches for their success in state tournaments. A significant portion of the meeting involved a comprehensive building project update covering Forest View, Nisswa, Baxter Elementary, and Harrison projects, including soil corrections and foundation work. Further detailed discussions focused on the Brainerd High School construction documents, involving schematic design approval, and an extensive review of proposed building standards for consistency in branding, site planning (including traffic separation), facility configurations (like Learning Commons and security features such as controlled entrances and panic buttons), and specialized spaces like CTE areas and a performing arts center with a 1,200-seat capacity. Floor finishes and specification manual organization based on the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) numbering system were also reviewed.