Duluth Public Schools, Minnesota
 B
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Contents |
Website evaluation
Last rated on Jan. 31, 2012
The good
- Current and past budgets are posted[1]
- School Board meeting minutes[2], agendas and schedules[3] are posted
- School Board members are listed with individual contact information.[4]
- Contact information for administrative staff is provided[5]
- Audits posted[6]
- State-mandated test results are posted[7]
- Information on how and who to submit a public records request to is posted online.[8]
- Information is available on teacher certification and on the employee background check process.[9]
The bad
- There is no information on local school taxes.
- The district does not list current or past contracts.
Leadership
School Board
Current School Board members:[4]
| Name | District | Position | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Cameron | At Large | Treasurer | December 31, 2013 |
| Gary Glass | At Large | December 31, 2011 | |
| Tim Grover | District #3 | Clerk | December 31, 2011 |
| Art Johnston | District #4 | December 31, 2013 | |
| Tom Kasper | At-Large | December 31, 2013 | |
| Judy Seliga Punyko | District #2 | Chairperson | December 31, 2011 |
| Ann Wasson | District #1 | Vice Chairperson | December 31, 2013 |
2011 School Board Elections
There will be 3 school board seats up for election in 2011:[10]
| Seat | Currently Held By | City Precincts |
|---|---|---|
| At Large | Glass | |
| District #2 | Seliga Punyko | 2, 3, 8, 9, 12-16 |
| District #3 | Grover | 11, 17-22, 24-27 |
Election dates:[10]
- Filing period for the general election is July 5, 2011 - July 19, 2011
- The last day to file an affidavit of withdrawl is July 21, 2011
- The primary election (if applicable) will be held on September 13, 2011
- The general election will be held on November 8, 2011
School Budget
Expenditures - All Funds, 06/30/10:[11]
| General | Food Service |
Transportation | Community Education |
Capital | Building Construction |
Debt Service |
Trust Agency |
Student Activities |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $87,420,814 | $3,220,000 | $5,023,436 | $7,242,910 | $5,186,867 | $80,512,455 | $16,215,415 | $200,000 | $1,428,887 | $206,450,784 |
Academic performance
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The reading and mathematics tests are used to determine whether schools and districts have made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward all students being proficient in 2014. Science tests are required by ESEA but are not included in AYP calculations. Reading and mathematics tests are given to students in grades 3–8, 10 and 11. Science tests are given to students in grades 5 and 8 and in the year in high school when students complete a life science course.[12]
2009-10 MCA results:[13]
| Grade | Pct. Proficient in District |
Pct. Proficient in State |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 76.0% | 82.8% |
| 4 | 74.7% | 77.0% |
| 5 | 65.3% | 68.6% |
| 6 | 52.8% | 68.9% |
| 7 | 55.0% | 64.4% |
| 8 | 47.2% | 58.5% |
| 10 | 78.5% | 75.3% |
| 11 | 39.1% | 43.2% |
Lobbying
The governmental relations representative works with legislative contacts, other school districts, administration and board members to identify legislative issues that could affect state funding and bring those to the attention of state representatives.[14]
2011 Legislative Platform:[15]
Integration Revenue[15]
- The State of Minnesota should continue funding of both inter-district and intra-district integration revenue. Any redistribution of integration aid should be tied to a specific concensus on the proper use of integration funding. Existing school district integration plans for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth that have been developed over time with significant community involvement should be approved and funded. The MDE should cooperate with these and other districts to further develop programs that provide choice, reduce segregation, close the learning gap, and promote integrated learning experiences for all students.
E-12 Education Reform[15]
- The Duluth School District recognizes the importance of a simplified, comprehensive school finance formula to provide the justification for significant revenue increases. Without significant revenue increases, however, any redistribution of revenue to districts through changes in the school formula should be adjusted by a transition revenue component.
Permanent Structural Change[15]
- With the State of Minnesota facing a $6.2 billion deficit in the next biennium (not including "discretionary" inflation), and another $5 billion shortfall in the FY 2014-15 biennium; it is clear that short-term solutions such as property tax and state aid shifts have not solved the state's budget problems. Permanent structural change in Minnesota's tax system must be combined with school finance reform efforts already being considered. Tax reform should include replacing school district reliance on property tax increases with other state taxes, greater equalization of the operating referendum, and restoring debt service equalization.
Prevent Further Cuts To E-12[15]
- School districts have contributed $1.89 billion to help resolve the state budget shortfall. Any further adjustments by the 2011 Legislature should not come at the expense of Minnesota's school children. Legislation should clearly state that the $1.89 billion in shifts and aid reductions will be restored as it becomes available in future legislative sessions.
Even a freeze in E-12 funding for the next school year would mean drastic cuts in programs for the Duluth School District. Declining enrollment, increases in health Insurance costs, and other inflationary costs would mean a shortfall of approximately $6 million next year alone. Budget reductions for the past several years mean there are no more cuts that can be made "away from the classroom".
External links
References
- ↑ Budgets
- ↑ School Board meeting minutes
- ↑ School Board agendas and meeting schedules
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 School Board Members and Contacts
- ↑ District Directory
- ↑ Audits
- ↑ Academic Performance
- ↑ Public Records
- ↑ Background checks
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 School Board election information
- ↑ 2010-11 Budget
- ↑ Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
- ↑ 2009-10 MCA results
- ↑ Legislative Update
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 2011 Legislative Platform
