MDSD JANUARY BOARD BRIEF
MDSD
January 8, 2024
1. Organization of the Board
Introducing our latest board members! Laura McGeorge and Kelly Miller join us as newly elected additions, and we're happy to have Jill Wright returning. Laurie Erekson was elected as Board Chair, with Jill Wright as Vice Chair. Penny Lancaster was also elected as Treasurer and Christine Butler as Board Clerk.
2. Donation for MDECC
McCall-Donnelly Early Childhood Center has received a generous donation of $10,000 for their playground installation. Our young learners are in for a seriously awesome time. Let the playground fun begin!
3. HRS Report
Exciting news from our instructional coaches:
• The 3-year mentoring program for new staff is going well.
• Staff requests are pouring in – 133 and counting.
• Our Coaches' Corner website is buzzing with 409 visits!
• Leadership Committees are in full swing at each of the buildings, meeting up 1 to 2 times a month to talk HRS.
• Semester 1 instructional rounds are almost done, giving teachers a 15-minute backstage pass into each other's classrooms.
• We're diving into "The New Art and Science of Teaching" for our current book study.
• A new dyslexia course has been approved and will be pushed out during the second semester.
4. Clearwater Financial Update
The bond/levy survey is close to being complete and will be sent out to the community soon. This will help guide us as to what is important to our community.
5. Calendar Update
The 2024-2025 school year schedule is in the works and will be finalized during the Calendar Committee's gathering on January 9. It will be presented to the board in the February meeting.
Wondering about the survey you participated in? Check out the results on the MDSD website. Your valuable feedback, from both staff and community members, has played a key role in helping us understand preferences and priorities for the upcoming academic years. Exciting news – we've already started delving into the research and planning for the 2025-2026 school year!
6. Construction Updates
DES – We are checking off the last items on our punch list – we are almost there!
PLMS – Plans are almost complete for the remodel this summer. There is no expansion happening as of today. Our main focus right now is safety.
Staff Housing – When spring rolls in, we will be up and running again.