NR-S School Board to update strategic plan

From the implementation of a personalized learning program to completing major construction, the New Rockford- Sheyenne School District has been through a lot in the last few years. “We’ve wrapped up a lot of projects,” says School Board President Alyson Myhre, “most have been checked off.”

Superintendent Jill Louters recommended that the board contract with local professional Sarah Smith Warren to lead a strategic planning process.

“If you’re not planning forward, you’re moving backward,” Mike Jacobson said in agreement. He then added that working with a facilitator such as Smith Warren can yield high-quality ideas that get put into action.

The board accepted Smith Warren’s proposal for services, citing that she knows the community well and is an advocate for the school. Her role will include coordination, communication with participants, planning, facilitation, community discussion sessions and finalization of documents. The board will review data, discussions, and draft strategic plan goal areas and specific objectives for the next two years.

Principals Avolt Baumbach and Natalie Becker gave a presentation of Insights, a newly launched dashboard designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 districts and schools in an easy to read format. Louters conveyed how useful trend data such as this can be in identifying opportunities for growth and planning. For more information visit https://insights.nd.gov//Education/District/1400202

In other business, the board:

• Completed the superintendent’s semi-annual evaluation. Louters scored satisfactorily in all six areas: goal and vision setting, board relations, human resource management, curriculum development and student support, community relations and resource management.

• Conducted the second reading of the policies DEEA and ABCE. The changes made to these required policies offered additional and concise language regarding the violation of those policies.

• Discussed the recent asbestos report. Louters reported that asbestos located on the premises was contained and in compliance. The locations include tile adhesive and within the boiler room tunnels. No action will be taken at this time, as disturbing the asbestos poses a greater risk than leaving it contained. It will be monitored every three months.

• Motioned and seconded that the board serves as the preschool governing coalition. It was required that there be a governing board in the county per the receipt of grant dollars. As the governing board, the school board will oversee and allocate dollars to the preschools in the county. Currently, NR-S is the only site of a preschool in the county.

The next regular school board meeting is planned for Monday, Dec. 9 @ 7 p.m.