School board to discuss annual curriculum report

The Austin Public Schools Board will get an update on classroom learning Monday.

Board members will hear the annual report on curriculum, instruction and student achievement from John Alberts, educational services director. The report will go over specific district goals laid out on its strategic roadmap, which will include testing goals and initiative implementation. Last year, the district implemented new English standards based on the Common Core curriculum, which federal officials have mandated for all states over the next several years. In addition, Austin schools received the first true Multiple Measurement Ratings and Focus Ratings based on student Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. The MMR and FR replace Adequate Yearly Progress scores mandated under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

In addition, board members will review the 2012-2014 principal contract proposal. Principals will get a 2 percent raise this school year and a 1 percent raise next year. In addition, dental insurance policy will be moved to the $2,000 max to be in-line with the rest of the district’s health insurance policy. District officials raised the insurance funding for its self-insured policy to the maximum amount allowed earlier this year, in order to better plan future overall budgets as insurance funds ran deficits over the past several years. Overall, Austin principals will see a 5.5 percent total package increase over this school year and about a 2.7 percent total package increase next year under the proposed contract.

Jean McDermott, I.J. Holton School Principal, will also update the board on progress for the new fifth- and sixth-grade intermediate building.

Austin High School could soon have an official Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, as Activities Director Lisa Quednow-Bickler will present the proposal to board members as well.

Board members will also approve renaming the Ellis Middle School swimming pool after former swimming coach Bud Higgins.

SportsPlus

Business

From seed to growth: Boujee Bagels & Coffee Company expanding roots to Austin

Mower County

Christ the Healer Workshop and healing prayer service: A day of renewal

Mower County

Minnesota DNR looking to fill 200 paid summer internships

News

Tougher penalties, AI technology at center of Gov. Tim Walz plan to combat fraud

News

Man accused of hiding stolen ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers plans to plead guilty, attorney says

Mower County

Mower SWCD annual tree program taking orders

Business

LeRoy’s Wildwood Grove Assisted Living earns prestigious 5-star quality of life rating

Mower County

In Your Community: Coverall prize claimed in Bing-OH! Holiday contest

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 23-30

News

Jimmy the Baptist: Carter redefined ‘evangelical,’ from campaigns to race and women’s rights

News

Judge sets Trump’s sentencing in hush money case for Jan. 10, but signals no jail time

Albert Lea

Albert Lea Schools hires David Krenz as interim superintendent

News

Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to save his job as a new Congress convenes

Mower County

Austin man gets nearly nine years possessing child pornography

News

Islamic State-inspired driver expressed desire to kill before deadly New Orleans rampage, Biden says

News

Law enforcement officials tell the AP that the suspect in the New Orleans crash is dead

News

New year, new laws: These laws go into effect Jan. 1 in Minnesota

Mower County

2024: Expansion, flooding among the top stories of this past year

Mower County

Austin Area Arts seeks undiscovered talent

Mower County

Hanson honored as he heads into phased retirement

News

New digital evidence requirement begins Jan. 1 in Minnesota

News

January special election called for tiebreaker Minn. Senate seat after Dziedzic’s death