Jess Whitcomb

The Local Literacy Plan for Goodhue County Education District focuses on ensuring every child reads at or above grade level, starting in kindergarten, through comprehensive screening, identification, and intervention. It includes goals for improving student growth percentiles in literacy assessments, expanding universal screening, providing professional development in the Science of Reading, and aligning instruction with research-based practices. The plan also details screening tools, intervention strategies, parent notification processes, data-based decision making, and the use of literacy aid funds to support these initiatives.

The literacy plan for Goodhue County Education District focuses on ensuring every child reads at or above grade level annually, starting in kindergarten, through comprehensive screening, identification, and intervention. It includes universal screening for foundational reading skills and dyslexia characteristics, parent notification, data-based decision-making, and a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). The plan also details core curricular resources, reading interventions, professional development, and the allocation of literacy aid funds to support these initiatives.

The meeting included discussions on additions to the agenda, such as resignations and reports on career and technical education. The consent agenda was approved, covering minutes from the last meeting, bill reviews, new hires, and leaves of absence. A business manager presented a budget report, highlighting revenue collection and expenditures. There was a grand opening of the River Bluff coffee shop. A proposal regarding the governor's special education transportation reimbursement was discussed, including potential reductions and their impact on districts. Also reviewed was a recap of the FY26 estimated member district financial impact, covering subgrants, tuition, overhead expenditures, and instructional coaching.

The board meeting covered various topics, including staff updates (resignations, new hires, and transfers), budget review (ahead in revenue collection, particularly state aid, and expenditures, especially in supplies), enrollment updates (stable overall with minor shifts between programs), cash flow (tight, expecting payments in April), and reports on bank reconciliation. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the discussion and recommendation of option five for addressing overhead budget shortfalls. This option involves splitting the remaining budget amount by pupil units and child count. The discussion included details on the history of overhead budgets, revenue sources (interest, miscellaneous revenue, special ed/general ed revenue, and rent), and the calculation of tuition billing.

The board meeting covered several key areas. The budget report showed the district was tracking ahead of budget. An enrollment update showed an increase of 34 students, primarily in the five-hour secondary full-time program. Discussion included clarification on part-time student enrollment and course numbers. A cash flow report was reviewed, noting typical low points in January and February and a dip in July. A review of agreements, bylaws, and joint powers was discussed, with a first meeting scheduled for the following day. A new work-based learning program, Lim Lab, was introduced, focusing on orthotic production and involving students in the reach and pathways programs. The FY24 audit report was presented, indicating a clean opinion and no findings in Minnesota legal compliance, internal control, or the single audit. Finally, two grants were received to fund a school-based coffee shop run by work-based learning classes.