November-December 2013 Journal

MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

November-December 2013 Volume 66, No. 3

To Reach Your Goals, You Need Vision, Mindset and GRIT Krueger: Reading is the KeyCenters for Excellence Give Students a Boost

Vision, Mindset,

Grit!

93rd Annual Leadership

Conference

January 16–17, 2014

2 MSBA JournAl

School district Employee

Healthcare Costs

Save14%

CO

NT

ENT

S N

Ov

EmbE

r/D

ECEm

bEr

201

3 v

OLU

mE

66,

NU

mbE

r 3Calendar

Articles

Divisions

CENTErS fOr ExCELLENCE hELp TO givE STUDENT aChiEvEmENT a bOOSTBrenda Cassellius

14NSba SETS Up a NaTiONaL CONNECTiONLisa Bartusek18

KrUEgEr: rEaDiNg iS ThE KEyrENOwNED SUSpENSE wriTEr TO TOUT impaCT Of LiTEraCy aT LEaDErShip CONfErENCEbruce Lombard

10

TO rEaCh yOUr gOaLS, yOU NEED viSiON, miNDSET aND griT Greg Abbott

8

prESiDENT’S COLUmNWalter Hautala, MSBA President6vENDOr DirECTOryPierre Productions & Promotions, Inc.32 aSK mSbaCathy Miller, Director of Legal and Policy Services35

STraighT TaLKKirk Schneidawind, MSBA Executive Director5

QUOTES Of NOTEMSBA Staff4

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 33Daylight Saving Time Ends5Election Day (no meetings or activities

6 pm – 8 pm)7–8MSBA Board of Directors’ Meeting11 Veterans Day (no meetings)13 Minnesota School District Liquid Asset

Fund Plus Annual Meeting13 MSBA Pre-Delegate Assembly Meetings,

Little Falls and Thief River Falls 14 MSBA Pre-Delegate Assembly Meetings,

Morton & Proctor 14–15 MASBO Fall Conference16 MSBA Pre-Delegate Assembly Meetings,

Rochester & Bloomington 17–23 American Education Week28 Thanksgiving Day (no meetings)29 Optional holiday

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 33MSBA New Board Member Orientation

Phase I, St Peter 6MSBA Board of Directors’ Meeting6MSBA Insurance Trust Meeting 6MSBA New Board Member Orientation

Phase I, St Cloud6–7MSBA Delegate Assembly, St Louis

Park 7MSBA Phase II Orientation, St Cloud25 Christmas Day (no meetings)

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 41New Year’s Day (no meetings) 6Terms begin for Newly Elected

Members 14 MSBA New Board Member Orientation

Phase I, Minneapolis 15 MSBA Board of Directors’ Meeting15 MSBA Phase II Orientation,

Minneapolis15 MSBA Charter School Board Training15 Early Bird Workshops16–17 MSBA Leadership Conference20 Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday

observed (no meetings)

noveMBer/DeceMBer 2013 3

The MSBA Journal thanks the students of Robbinsdale Public Schools for sharing their art in this issue.COVER ART:Chris Aanerud

CULTUrE maTTErS Steve Lamb202014 mSba LEaDErShip CONfErENCE MSBA Staff24

Quotes of Note captures some of the more interesting statements MSBA staff have read in local, state and national publications.

Technology“I believe, over time, financially it’s going to work out. We’re talking about a shift in how we do things. We should be getting iPads because we believe it is going to improve education; because we are going to change education.”Milaca School Board Member Todd Quaintance

“Probably the biggest surprise of the technology initiative has been the ‘eagerness’ of staff to continue to move ahead with it. I feared that many teachers would resist such an extreme change in the way we provide instruction to students. I’m amazed at how ‘hungry’ staff members have become for more.”Perham-Dent Superintendent Mitch Anderson

Testing“The goal of having 100 percent of students passing state math and reading tests by 2014 was an admirable goal, but unachievable.”Pine City Director of Curriculum and Instruction Paul Jackson

“It is frustrating that these accountability tests change as much and as often as they do. Our students are held accountable to moving targets.”Richfield Schools Director of Curriculum Kate Trewick

“There are so many other kinds of achievement tests out there. If all the other tests show me the student is on track, I’m not going to put much credence in an abhorrent score.”Bloomington Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment (and national school data expert) Dave Heistad, on the MCA test

Local Impact of Federal Sequestration Cuts“We have closed nine positions, which is seven teachers—oh, wait a minute, 10 positions—and three paraprofessionals. (Those) cuts will really hurt.”Red Lake School Board Member Roy Nelson

Tribute“Hussein (Samatar) was a passionate leader, a committed public servant, a dedicated collaborator and a valued friend.”Minneapolis Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson on former school board member Hussein Samatar, who passed away in August

On Good Boardsmanship“We may differ…but once it’s done, the board had always got back together. And we support what’s going on and I think that’s what a board should do.”Richfield School Board Member David Lamberger

Literacy“The lack of literacy skills really affects not just being able to pick up a book, but healthcare, financial growth as an educated consumer, voting…without it, you can’t really take the next step in any direction.”Literacy Volunteers of Southwest Minnesota’s Charlotte Harris-Hoffstrom

Officers

President: Walter Hautala, Mesabi EastPast President: Kent Thiesse, Lake Crystal

Wellcome MemorialNSBA Representative: Jackie Magnuson,

Rosemount-Apple Valley-EaganDistrict DirectOrs

District 1: Kathy Green, Austin District 2: Jodi Sapp, Mankato Area District 3: Linden Olson, Worthington District 4: Betsy Anderson, Hopkins District 5: Missy Lee, Columbia Heights District 6: Kevin Donovan, Mahtomedi District 7: Roz Peterson, Lakeville Area District 8: Elona Street-Stewart, St Paul District 9: Karen Kirschner, Mora District 10: Michael Domin, Crosby-Ironton District 11: Tim Riordan, Virginia District 12: Ann Long Voelkner, Bemidji Area District 13: Deborah Pauly, Jordanstaff

Kirk Schneidawind: Executive Director Kelly Martell: Executive Assistant John Sylvester: Deputy Executive Director Tiffany Rodning: Deputy Executive Director Greg Abbott: Director of Communications Denise Dittrich: Associate Director of Governmental Relations Denise Drill: Director of Financial/MSBAIT Services Amy Fullenkamp-Taylor: Associate Director of Management Services Sandy Gundlach: Director of School Board Services Barb Hoffman: Administrative Assistant to Governmental Relations/Finance/Meeting Coordinator Sue Honetschlager: Administrative Assistant to Management, Legal and Policy Services/MSBAIT Donn Jenson: Director of Technology Bill Kautt: Associate Director of Management Services Grace Keliher: Director of Governmental Relations Katie Klanderud: Director of Board Development Gary Lee: Associate Director of Management Services Bruce Lombard: Associate Director of Communications Bob Lowe: Director of Management Services Cathy Miller: Director of Legal and Policy Services Sue Munsterman: Administrative Assistant to Board Development/Communications Sandi Ostermann: Administrative Assistant to Association Services and Finance/Receptionist Tim Roberts: Production Room Manager The MSBA Journal (USPS 352-220) is published

bimonthly by the Minnesota School Boards Association, 1900 West Jefferson Avenue, St Peter, Minnesota 56082 Telephone 507-934-2450 Call MSBA office for subscription rates (Opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent MSBA policy)

SSchools have dealt with a long list of unfunded mandates The latest one reaching school districts this year deals with teacher evaluation When Minnesota applied for a waiver from No Child Left Behind, one of the conditions of the waiver was to include a teacher evaluation system

Efforts last year to delay and/or fund the requirement failed, so school districts need to start the process of developing a teacher evaluation plan now Several pilot sites are currently sampling all, or parts of, the state’s evaluation model MSBA and Education Minnesota have teamed up to offer a joint teacher development and evaluation training

Staff from both organizations started the trainings in October and will be continuing them through December The training’s focus is to keep an eye on efficiency and eliminate duplicated efforts The training offers hands-on, usable curriculum that can be applied to your efforts to reach agreement on a local plan

Putting the process off and hoping it goes away only makes the issue worse This requirement can be an opportunity for school boards to have an impact on student achievement through the teacher evaluation plans Though research is limited on the issue, the Iowa Association of School Board’s Lighthouse Project demonstrates that board policy decisions (including the policies around teacher evaluations) can have a positive impact on student achievement

One key for the plans will be to maintain flexibility The process will, no doubt, be tweaked and amended as school districts and the state go through the process That’s why keeping the evaluation process out of your teachers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement is very important If the parties negotiate the evaluation process into the bargaining agreement, they will have to mutually agree to reopen to make changes And, if those changes involve compensation, PELRA prohibits them from re-opening

Another key is to keep the process simple and understandable Keep the lines of communication open with the staff about the plan

Finally, if districts make certain the teacher evaluation plans support their strategic plans and mission statements, the teacher evaluation process will not only help to improve student achievement, but it will also assist in meeting the requirements of the new World’s Best Workforce legislation – helping to meet two mandates at the same time

Though we may question whether boards would be faced with this process, if not for the federal involvement of NCLB, board members should keep the end game in sight: We want our students to have the best teachers Use the teacher evaluation legislation as an opportunity to help YOUR students achieve

Hopefully, by seeing the statewide organizations working together on the issue, school districts and their teachers will be encouraged to cooperate

We want our students to have the best teachers. Use the teacher evaluation legislation as an opportunity to help YOUR students achieve.

Straight talklateSt teacher evaluation mandate needS to be kept Simple, outSide of collective bargaining agreement

Kirk Schneidawind MSBA Executive Director


It doesn’t mean a lack of accountability. The accountability is still there for schools to make sure all students achieve.

Walter HautalaMSBA President

6 MSBA JournAl

teSting, juSt like anything we do, Should be done in moderation

preSident’S column

II remember taking the Iowa Basic Skills test when I was in school It wasn’t a do-or-die test It simply gave your teacher an indication of whether you were on track at school or falling behind And it was one of several tools teachers used to measure if you were achieving at grade level

Then, No Child Left Behind came along Under the guise of accountability, the political push was to test every student in every grade in math and reading every year to attain 100 percent proficiency The reasoning for starting tests in third grade was solid—kids who were proficient in reading by third grade had a better chance of graduating, did better in school and went on to college

But a third-grade reading test turned into a third-grade reading test, and a math test, and a science test thrown in every third year And right when students started to get the hang of doing the tests, standards were changed three years down the line and a brand-new test was issued

Instead of the testing pendulum falling in the middle, it went way over to the side There were reading and math tests for students in fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, eighth grade—it didn’t matter if students were proficient It was test, test, test

Schools had pep rallies to make sure kids got sleep Offered free fruit and snacks on testing day to make sure nobody was hungry And with tests required to be completed on a computer, the testing days filled up most of the month of April for schools as they tried to get each grade level and every student to take both a reading and math test Instead of instructional time, a chunk of March was turned into test preparation time In the midst of the frenzy, the state developed a GRAD test that required students to pass in order to graduate

What Minnesota—and the rest of the country—finally learned is that one test doesn’t define a student’s abilities A test is a tool—one of many tools that teachers can use to help students achieve That’s why it’s heartening to see the Minnesota Department of Education and the nation move away from a one-test-fits-all attitude

It doesn’t mean a lack of accountability The accountability is still there for schools to make sure all students achieve Measuring that achievement simply means including tests into a mix of performance goals for each student and focusing more on growth than if everyone reached a certain bar at the same time

Educators are now asking, “Do we need to test students EVERY year in both reading and math—especially if a student is proficient?” or “Could students who are proficient be tested every other year?” Somewhere in the middle, schools will find a balance between the need to test every student every year and the need to use other tools to figure out how to give kids a boost

I’m hoping for an era of moderation: Using testing once again as ONE tool to help local teachers find out which students need help reaching their goals and which students need to be challenged at a higher level

A passion for public law

Education Law GroupKennedy & Graven’s Education Law Group represents public school districts

and provides responsive, creative, practical and high-quality legal services.

Charles E. LongGreg S. Madsen

Gloria Blaine OlsenTimothy R. Palmatier

Susan E. TorgersonMaggie R. Wallner

Stephen J. Bubul Martha N. Ingram

Peter G. Mikhail Michael T. Norton

Sarah J. Sonsalla James M. Strommen

470 U. S. Bank Plaza, 200 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402Phone 612.337.9300 • Fax 612.337.9310 • Toll Free 1.800.788.8201

www.kennedy-graven.com

Education Law

Finance and Bond

Construction

Real Estate and Business


Since 1984, the MSDLAF+

Fund has offeredcompetitive investment

options to Minnesotaschools and related entities.

As you proceed through thecoming months remember that

MSDLAF+ provides:

• Unlimited number of accounts and nominimum investment requirement

• Check writing, next day ACH, and same day Fed wiring all available

• Variable- and fixed-rate investment options

• Professionally managed investment portfolio

• A simplified manner of monitoring collateral

• A dedicated client service team

This information does notrepresent an offer to sell or asolicitation of an offer to buy orsell any fund or other security.Investors should consider theinvestment objectives, risks,charges and expenses beforeinvesting in any of the Fund'sseries. This and other informationabout the Fund's series isavailable in the Fund's currentInformation Statement, whichshould be read carefully beforeinvesting. A copy of the Fund'sInformation Statement may beobtained by calling 1-888-4-MSDLAF or is available on theFund's website atwww.msdlaf.org. While theMSDLAF+ Liquid Class and MAXClass seek to maintain a stablenet asset value of $1.00 per shareand the MSDLAF+ TERM seriesseeks to achieve a net assetvalue of $1.00 per share at itsstated maturity, it is possible tolose money investing in the Fund.An investment in the Fund is notinsured or guaranteed by theFederal Deposit InsuranceCorporation or any othergovernment agency. Shares of theFund are distributed by PFMFund Distributors, Inc., memberFinancial Industry RegulatoryAuthority (FINRA) (www.finra.org)and Securities Investor ProtectionCorporation (SIPC)(www.sipc.org). PFM FundDistributors, Inc. is a whollyowned subsidiary of PFM AssetManagement LLC.

Carole LoehrSenior Managing [email protected]

Donn [email protected]

Mark ThompsonSenior Managing [email protected]

SScott Burrows had always wanted to play sports At age 8, he took karate and trained to be a kickboxer He loved football, playing at Florida State University At age 19, he was a top-ranked kickboxing champion—his last fight broadcast on ESPN

Then, as a passenger in a single-car accident, his entire life was turned upside-down

The accident left him as a quadrapalegic, facing years of physical therapy with his dream of kickboxing fading

“I still wanted to be a kickboxer I still thought if I could work at it, I could get back in the ring,” Burrows said “But over time, you realize it’s not reality, so you have to adapt”

To reach your goals, you need vision, mindseT and griT

Greg Abbott

8 MSBA JournAl

Joe Kim


Burrows will bring his message of how school boards can set a vision and be willing to adapt to changes with the sheer grit of accomplishing goals He is the opening keynote speaker for MSBA’s Leadership Conference Jan 16–17 at the Minneapolis Convention Center

“I had to adapt my goals, but I still worked at achieving those goals,” he said He became involved in wheelchair sports such as rugby (aka “murder ball” as he calls it) He also retaught himself the game of golf after seven years of therapy

Rugby gave him a sense of participating on a team again—to compete, to lose, to win, to learn how to be coached And golf gave him a sense of self in an individual sport—like kickboxing He also went on to form his own company, Global Golf Group, an international firm specializing in golf course development

After the accident, Scott knew he had a choice: he could wallow in self-pity, or he could continue to dream, dig down deep inside and find a new vision of what he wanted to fight for “I was very lucky,” he said “I was close to my family and the support was unbelievable”

One item he’ll share with board members is that to reach a difficult goal, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others His physical therapist helped him to accomplish much as a quadrapalegic And just as administrators face tough choices, you need someone there to stretch your thinking, to keep you out of the comfort zone

“Sometimes you have to embrace change, overcome adversity It can be very uncomfortable, but you can’t give up,” he said

For students and others who face setbacks or are struggling, he wants them to create a balance and find a support system—a friend, a teacher, someone Read books about the mind, and understand what you CAN control and what you can’t control

“We’re all here for a reason, but nothing is handed to you,” he said “There’s enough there for you to make choices and make the best of it Change your thinking and change the direction And if you have the grit, you can conquer anything”

Greg Abbott is the Director of Communications for the Minnesota School Boards Association. You can contact him at [email protected]. Carlos Garcia

10 MSBA JournAl

TThe concept that literacy is important to school children is an obvious no-brainer to school board members, superintendents and other education policymakers

Literacy is the foundation for learning—and for the closing keynote speaker at the 2014 MSBA Leadership Conference, literacy also helped lay the groundwork for his illustrious writing career

Renowned author William Kent Krueger will speak Friday, January 17, during the closing session of the 2014 MSBA Leadership Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center

Krueger—a St Paul resident and a former child development researcher at the University of Minnesota—has published 15 novels His best-selling “Cork O’Connor” mystery series is set in fictional Tamarack County in the Minnesota Northwoods The saga’s protagonist, Corcoran O’Connor, is the former sheriff of Tamarack County The latest book in the series, “Tamarack County,” was released in August 2013

Bruce Lombard

Renowned suspense writer to tout impact of literacy at Leadership Conference

Krueger: reading is the Key

Olivia Hanson


Krueger’s work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and optioned by Hollywood

Krueger attributes his success as a writer to all those wonderful stories he read as a child To Krueger, the importance of literacy can be summed up in this quote: “Anybody who believes they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book”

“Literacy is a window to the world,” Krueger added “Literacy, for so many kids, is the only way they are ever going to travel to another country or to meet another culture or to have the experience of walking in someone else’s shoes Literacy is important in that it is one certain way that everyone can have access to the world”

Krueger said in his experience as a student, the teachers he loved the most were the ones that read to the class

“In elementary school, I honestly can’t remember learning specific things, but I clearly remember the period of time every day when a teacher would sit us down and read to us—or would sit us down and have us read,” he said “That was the time of the day that I looked forward to”

Krueger believes the curriculum of an elementary school should include some time carved out for students to be read to—and for students to read on their own

“That has to be part of the curriculum every day,” he said “But I’m a storyteller, I’m a writer If you ask a mathematician that, he might have a different answer”

During his upcoming address at the Leadership Conference, Krueger will talk about the book that first made an impact on his life—a Little Golden Book called “The Happy Family”

“I will talk about why that book was so important to me,” Krueger said “I will talk about the importance of libraries and librarians on our children’s lives I think that’s important”

While Kreuger values traditional libraries, he doesn’t believe the digitalization of books is necessarily bad for young readers

“We have a generation of children who are growing up quite comfortably with the world coming to them through an electronic device they hold in their hand,” he said “I think it is not important how they get stories, so much as it is they get the stories If that’s the way they feel comfortable having stories come to them, I am just fine with that I just want to make sure they are reading…that they have that experience”

While Krueger doesn’t begrudge digital readers, he himself is old school when it comes to reading

“I don’t own an e-reader of any kind,” he said “I think you can fall in love with a story on your Kindle or your Nook—but you have a love affair with a book Reading a book is a sensual experience It’s got the beauty of the cover, so that face appeals to you You have the smell of the book when you first open it, the smell that comes from the pages—and when you turn the pages, they kind of whisper to you”

Krueger also noted a personal aspect related to physical books

“The other thing about real books, when I walk into someone’s home, I make judgments about them based on what books that they have on their shelves,” he said “You walk into someone’s home and you see a book on their shelf that meant a lot to you and right away there’s a connection Those kinds of experiences that come from the actual book are significant”

Krueger was raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon After a one-year matriculation at Stanford University, he moved to Colorado to become a writer Krueger spent nine years in Colorado before moving to Minnesota where he “really discovered home”

Krueger makes his living as a full-time author and lives in St Paul with the “marvelous woman” he’s been married to for 40 years Krueger is currently working on his 16th novel

For more information, visit Krueger’s official website at wwwwilliamkentkruegercom

Bruce Lombard is MSBA’s Associate Director of Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].

Bailey Loso

305 Saint Peter Street Saint Paul, MN 55102

tel 651 227 7773fax 651 223 5646

designers and researchers for public environments

MinnesotaIllinoisMichiganColoradoIowa

You need guidance.We give direction.

Providing Over 25 Years of Service to Schools

Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A.Focusing on all areas of School Law

Labor Negotiations and Employment LawSchool Business Affairs • Special Education

Construction and Land Acquisition • Investigations

300 U.S. Trust Building | 730 Second Avenue SouthMinneapolis, Minnesota 55402Phone: (612) 339-0060 | Fax: (612) 339-0038

www.ratwiklaw.com

A Law Firm Dedicated to Your Needs50580 Ratwik Journal Ad 2.indd 1 7/31/13 9:05 AM

14 MSBA JournAl

IIn one of my first conversations with Governor Mark Dayton, we discussed three key changes needed to move Minnesota forward Knowing that he ran on a “Better Minnesota” framework, I couldn’t think of anything more critical to achieving a better Minnesota than investing in our kids So I proposed three simple strategies to start and then rounded them out in a more focused 7-Point Plan This plan has served as our guide, and over the past three years, we have not wavered from it

The first of those strategies was to think differently This meant looking closer and reassessing our current situation, creating urgency and focusing our efforts on those things we know work It meant finding ways to encourage innovation and creating more local autonomy so superintendents and school boards were given the flexibility to try new things and do what they felt was necessary to improve the outcomes for their students

The second was to change the conversation This was important because for too long the conversation around education has been stuck in mediocrity and the status quo thinking Educators have been frustrated by failed attempts at policy change and an increasingly hostile discourse that too often subjects teachers to unjust blaming and shaming

We needed a jumpstart and a new tone that was hopeful and inspiring We needed a clear vision that gave teachers and educational leaders a real voice in shaping the future of education They are the ones closest to the work, and they have the answers We just need to listen to them and value their contribution to the important work ahead We needed to shift the conversation and start supporting our teachers while identifying the good work that was happening in schools and spread those practices statewide

The third strategy involved securing collective buy-in to build a statewide system of support Investing significantly in a new support structure that includes our new Regional Centers

Centers for Excellence help to give student achievement a boost

Brenda Cassellius

Ava Allroggen Cameryn Gilbert

Ana Laura Toledo-Ramirez

of Excellence became our theory of change If we could get teachers sharing across hallways, schools and districts, we knew we could significantly increase student achievement

This approach was designed to move the agency from one of compliance and monitoring to one of strategic support We had to become leaders and partners in supporting schools and help our local school districts build capacity right there in their regions We have done that through our restructuring of the Office of School Support and our development of our statewide Regional Centers of Excellence

And just three years into this administration, we’ve accomplished these goals, even though there is still so much more to do

A major contributor in our ability to refocus our efforts to support students and strengthen our accountability system was receiving a waiver from the failed No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law in 2012 With this new waiver we were able to transform an old broken system to one that looked beyond the limited and narrow focus on proficiency; to one that looked at growth, achievement gap reduction and graduation rates—all of which are broken down by sub-group so the focus is truly on every kid The Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR) and Focused Rating (FR) allows us to provide schools with a better look into how they are doing and provides schools and teachers with meaningful information to help them refocus their efforts

For the first time, we are also able to celebrate schools that are seeing success while strategically supporting those schools that are struggling But unlike NCLB, instead of labeling those struggling schools as failures and walking away, we are providing them with unprecedented access to technical assistance, resources, and on-site coaching

Most exciting, this new approach is working

This month we released our third round of MMR and FR scores We saw that 27 schools previously identified as Priority and Focus schools—schools that were labeled underperforming and who had the largest achievement gaps in the state—had not only seen tremendous growth, but qualified to shed those designations

Even more exciting, 78 percent of all priority schools improved their MMR and 71 percent of all focus schools improved the Focus Rating, with over a third of those improving by more than 20 points This is remarkable, and a clear testament that when we work together and create the conditions for teachers and students to be successful—and support them along the way—change can happen quickly

After reading the many news articles and visiting schools, I know that a key contributor to the schools’ success was and continues to be the incredible work of our dedicated staff at the Regional Centers of Excellence Our staff work out of three regional Greater Minnesota

areas and act as an extension of the Minnesota Department of Education

I’m often asked what the Centers look like Where are they? Well, they really aren’t places at all in practice If you were to visit their offices, you’d probably see a lot of empty desks That’s because the exceptional staff is made up of curriculum specialists who spend almost all of their time out in the field, meeting with teachers, observing lessons and planning right alongside school leaders This allows them to build trust and relationships that propel action They often have very honest and tough conversations about barriers and difficulties they are encountering to increase student achievement The staff works together to offer meaningful input and guidance on strategies to overcome these barriers and to implement new ways for improved results Most importantly, since they are experts in their fields, and they work with multiple schools, they often share what they have learned in their own practice or from all the great work they see happening at other schools

The result is a sense of community and support across schools This has never formally existed in Minnesota before This approach is a complete overhaul in how we support our schools and is getting national attention

The most rewarding aspect of these Centers is hearing from school staff about how helpful the direct support is for them I recently spoke with one educator who could not believe the way they have been able to transform their efforts to support students They said this was the most support they’d experienced in their career and were seeing firsthand the positive impacts this direct support has on teacher morale and student achievement Listening to them reaffirmed that we are on the right path

Previously, Minnesota saw a decade of cuts, a decade of NCLB and a decade of stagnant student growth Many times, instead of listening to teachers and supporting their professional

Joshlynn Borreson


16 MSBA JournAl

HOGLUND BUS AND TRUCKThe Transportation Specialists

IC Bus 2012North AmericanDEALER of

thE YEAR

Hoglund Bus and Truck has been in business for over 65 years and 3 generations later,

we still put the customer first. Our years of experience along with our commitment to

customer satisfaction has helped us become the transportation specialists.

Integrity, Loyalty and Trust!

Contact us today!(800) 866-3105

www.hoglundbusandtruck.com

Extensive new and used bus inventory.

Aggressively priced to earn your business.

Customized financing and leasing options.

We can custom build to your specs.

full service dealership with 4 locations to serve you.

Want more for your moneyand reduce costs?

Hoglund’s is dedicated to saving you money!

development, we too often turned our backs and made their jobs harder due to the lack of adequate resources needed to meet the increased expectations and demands we were now placing on them For too long we did not listen closely enough to our teachers and school leaders about what they really needed

That is changing The core principal that guides the work of our Regional Centers is grounded in listening and building trusting relationships with real Minnesota teachers and school leaders Talking with them, not at them We’ve had such early success with our Centers that this past legislative session we proposed expanding them from three to nine Thanks to Governor Dayton and the Legislature, we were provided our first state funded dollars to support the centers—$2 million in additional funding—allowing us to expand from three to six centers I know that if we keep hearing from teachers that this is supportive to their work, and we continue to see growth in student achievement, we can eventually meet our goal of establishing nine Regional Centers throughout Minnesota and provide support to more schools who request it

The current reality is that not every school has the opportunity to work with a Regional Center But that doesn’t mean the same model can’t be replicated in other ways As school board members, many of you have worked to turn around your underperforming schools and have opened your doors to new ideas and strategies You have held yourselves to a higher standard, making sure every single student is treated as your own I commend you for that You are the unsung heroes But, as you know, Minnesota still has more work to do to ensure all our kids have the same access and opportunity

You have the authority and power to work with your superintendent and place an unrelenting value on every child’s success You can request lists of at-risk students and demand they get the help they need You hold the capacity to flex your resource allocation to those students who need it most They should get the best teachers and supports required so they can be successful You can demand a plan and monitor that plan regularly and publically account for your progress After 25 years at this, I know that success breeds success and that when students learn and achieve their best, nothing feels better

Brenda Cassellius is the Minnesota Commissioner of Education, and can be reached at [email protected].

Cen

ters

for

Exc

elle

nce

h

elp

to

giv

e st

ud

ent

ach

ieve

men

t a

bo

ost


Whether you’re growing your school’s digital library or enriching your students’ abilities, your school’s FREE MackinVIA is the perfect solution. eBooks, databases, audio and video content all live conveniently in this state-of-the-art digital resource management platform.

THE PATHWAY TO LEARNING

37 titles($1,269 Value)

37 titles($995 Value)

Elementary Middle School High School

33 titles($1,129 Value)

Go to Mackin.com to sign up for a FREE MackinVIA and

download your FREE eBook package today.

Use code Journal13.

eBooks • Databases • Audiobooks • Video Resources

Mackin.com | 800.245.9540

Must have an active MackinVIA account to receive the free eBook bundle.

Offer expires 12/15/13.

Join the MackinVIA Community today and empower your students

with a FREE MackinVIAand a FREE eBook package.

www.eidebai l ly.com

Eide Bailly offers MORE than a quality audit delivered in a timely manner. Our clients appreciate our peer-to-peer approach to discussing issues, access to senior-level partners who have a deep understanding of school districts, and our ability to help them with other issues, like health care reform compliance and technology needs.

Get more value from your next audit and experience the

Eide Bailly difference!

Call today to learn more. 866.672.4761

Audit | Tax | Employee Benefit Administration Technology Consulting | Forensic Services | Business Consulting

Audit Value and More

Our School District clients appreciate our availability year round – not just during the audit.

~Brian Stavenger, CPAPartner

18 MSBA JournAl

MMinnesota school boards will have access to enhanced national services this year, through a partnership between MSBA and the National School Boards Association

In early October, the MSBA Board of Directors endorsed changes being made by the National School Boards Association to the long-standing National Affiliate program, which has engaged more than 1,600 school districts nationally, including several in Minnesota

First, the program is getting a new name: National Connection, to reflect the important partnership between school districts, their state school boards associations, and NSBA, working together to share best practices across the country

Participating school districts will receive a package of new resources designed to help school boards and district leaders stay on the leading edge of American public education

Lisa Bartusek

NSBA sets up a National Connection

Melanie Potter


The new resources include:

• Federal Insider: This resource includes federal policy analysis and reports on major actions of Congress and federal agencies, as well as implementation guidance that can save your district time and money in complying with mandates In addition, participating school districts will receive details of federal legal cases that will impact the way your district operates, as well as regular updates on school law issues across the country

• The Public Engagement Toolkit: This resource includes practical tools boards and district leaders can use to build public understanding and engagement around major educational issues, to help create the public and community support for the local district and for American public education

• The School Board Leadership Resource Center and CPE Briefing Room: These two resources provide national school improvement research, best practices and examples from high-performing school systems, along with expert guidance that can help school boards set a course for improving student achievement and district excellence

• Meet the Experts: Some of the nation’s leading thinkers and experts on public education are scheduled in monthly webinars, providing a 24/7 method for school boards across the country to hear from nationally recognized speakers

• Money-Saving Resources such as a guide to the latest education grants and funding opportunities, as well as discounts on other NSBA publications and Annual Conference registration fees

• Plus timely reports that can help you understand national trends and issues related to public education leadership through NSBA’s award-winning magazine, American School Board Journal and weekly e-newsletter, School Board News This Week

“It’s important for school boards to take a state and national view and have the latest information on public education issues Participating districts help support NSBA as a strong national voice on behalf of public education and local governance,” said Kirk Schneidawind, MSBA executive director

To learn more or to enroll, contact MSBA’s national associate for the National School Boards Association, Laurie Hart, [email protected], (847) 831-5380.

Karla Zarzua

Lariza Estrada

Naomi Egger

A“Achieving Higher Student Performance” is a goal espoused by virtually every school district in the country and is the title of an upcoming pre-Leadership Conference Early Bird workshop Steve Lamb, board development specialist for the Oregon School Boards Association, believes that school district culture is a huge—and largely untapped—resource for improvement

In his new book, “The Advantage,” Patrick Lencioni observes, “ the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre ones has little to do with what they know and how smart they are and more to do with how healthy they are”

The research is clear—this is also true of school districts “Districts with a positive culture achieve outcomes that are strikingly better,” Lamb said “Students achieve more, the staff performs better, parents are happier, and communities love their schools Unfortunately, most boards don’t even know what their culture is, let alone consciously attend to it

“Another complication for schools is the fact that boards must factor more than one culture,” Lamb continued “There is the culture of the staff, the culture of the students, and the culture of the community When there is alignment, the results can be amazing”

The studies this session will highlight include:

• An Iowa study which identified five key board roles and found that what school boards do and how they do it profoundly impacts student achievement

• A Kentucky study which found a strong correlation between culture scores and state assessment results (confirmed by a similar finding in a Florida study)

• An Illinois study which found that schools with high trust levels were three times as likely to achieve positive student outcomes

According to the Iowa Lighthouse Study, a key board role is “building collective will” This is arguably one of the board’s most difficult tasks It’s not enough to set a goal or an expectation; there must also be a shared enthusiasm for making it a reality

Steve Lamb

Culture mattersConference Early Bird presenter to discuss correlation between positive school culture and student performance

Mykle Diekman

20 MSBA JournAl

Minnesota Schools’Indoor Air Quailtyranked

7th WORSTin the nation*

Learn about what should be included in your school environmental health plan, so your school does not contribute to this statistic :www.health.mn.gov/schoolenvironments

PESTS & PESTICIDES

SUSTAINABILITY

VENTILATION & FILTRATIO

N

CHEMICALS & CONTAMINANTS

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

MOLD & MOISTURE

OUTDOOR CONCERNS

*U.S. Government Accounting Office. School Facilities: America’s Schools Report Differing Conditions. June 1996

Your

Join the hundreds of Minnesota school districts, cities and counties that have joined forces to provide affordable and high quality health coverage to their employees. Contact your Minnesota Service Cooperative, agent or Blue Cross sales representative to learn more about this powerful health care alliance.

Lakes Country Service Cooperative (Fergus Falls)(218) 739-3273 ~ www.lcsc.org

Northeast Service Cooperative (Mountain Iron)(218) 741-0750 ~ www.nesc.k12.mn.us

Northwest Service Cooperative (Thief River Falls)(218) 681-0900 ~ www.nw-service.k12.mn.us

Resource Training & Solutions (St. Cloud)(320) 255-3236 ~ www.resourcetraining.com

South Central Service Cooperative (North Mankato)(507) 389-5109 ~ www.mnscsc.org

Southeast Service Cooperative (Rochester)(507) 281-6673 ~ www.ssc.coop

Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative (Marshall)(507) 537-2240 ~ www.swsc.org

trusted health care alliance

Participants in this session will:

• Understand how the board fosters or inhibits progress toward improved student achievement

• Consider the eight steps of change from vision to results

• Understand how trust impacts commitment to innovation and change

• Discuss common board scenarios and their resolution

• Explore strategies for the board’s role in shaping the district’s culture

“I promise this won’t be a talking-head presentation There will be videos, group discussion, and a small group exercise in addition to the continual back-and-forth discussion,” Lamb said “I also promise we will not use a ‘trust-fall’ experience where someone falls into the waiting arms of other participants Trust is contextual The fact that I might trust you to catch me during a workshop has no bearing on how much I might trust your district governance competence Instead, we’ll look at the board’s role and review the nine actions the board can take to shape their culture along with the five actions to build and monitor district trust levels”

We have always accepted that boards behaving badly can have a negative influence on district performance National research indicates that boards can have a huge positive impact, as well Let this session inspire your board to create a culture of practical accomplishment!

Steve Lamb is the Board Development Specialist for the Oregon School Boards Association, and can be reached at [email protected].

Cu

lt

ur

e

ma

tt

er

s

Annabelle Larson


PLANNERS / ARCHITECTS / ENGINEERS

24 MSBA JournAl

93rd Annual Leadership Conference

January 16–17, 2014Minneapolis Convention Center

Scott BurrowsThursday, January 16Vision, Mindset, GRIT!

A former standout college athlete who experienced a life-changing car accident at age 19, inspirational speaker Scott Burrows

employs his paralysis as a visual metaphor. He encourages his audiences to stand up to their challenges—regardless of circumstances—and achieve their absolute best using the same three dynamic principles that helped him reach his own goals: Vision, Mindset and Grit. Scott’s message of hope and success has transformed audiences around the world.

BiographyScott Burrows is an author, businessman, athlete and motivational speaker. He played college football at Florida State University, and was a top-ranked kickboxing champion with matches broadcast on ESPN. After graduating from college, he became a top producer in the financial and insurance industry, qualifying for Million Dollar Round Table, before forming his own company, Global Golf Group, a successful international firm specializing in golf course development. His recent book, “Vision, Mindset, GRIT!” was published in December 2012.

Successful boards are usually boards that work together as a team with a common vision of what they want their school to be and what outstanding students can achieve.

MSBA’s 93rd Annual Leadership Conference has nearly 100 workshops, Skills Sessions, Round Table mini-sessions and motivational keynote speakers to find new ideas and connect with other board members around the state.

You will come away with the knowledge and desire to focus on the board team’s vision, maintain that mindset during difficulties and show the grit to accomplish goals for your students.

VISION, MINDSET, GRIT!

William Kent KruegerFriday, January 17 Giving Kids Literacy – A Window to the World

New York Times best-selling author, William Kent Krueger, will discuss the importance of literacy. “Anybody who believes they have only one life to live, must not know how to read a book,” Krueger said. “Literacy is a window to the world. Literacy, for so many kids, is the only way they are ever going to travel to another country or to meet another culture or to have the experience of walking in someone else’s shoes.” Krueger will single out the book that had the biggest impact on his young life—“The Happy Family” from the classic Little Golden Books series.

Krueger, a resident of St. Paul, has published 15 novels. His “Cork O’Connor” mystery series is set in fictional Tamarack County in the Minnesota Northwoods. Krueger’s work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award and the Friends of American Writers Prize. He attributes his success as a writer to the wonderful stories he read as a child.

Keynote speakers


Pre-conference Training sessionsPhase I: New Board Member Orientation6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 14 Hilton Hotel, MinneapolisTuition is $75. Walk-ins add $10.

Help new board members hit the ground running with this session. Phase I covers the role of the school board, the role of the superintendent, and common scenarios facing new board members.

Phase II: Mandatory Training8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15 Hilton Hotel, MinneapolisTuition is $130. Walk-ins add $20.

Presented by MSBA staff and state experts. Phase II includes the financial training school boards are required to have by state law. The session covers core topics such as the budget, school financing, local levies, policies, significant laws affecting school boards, collective bargaining and personnel issues.

evening early BirdsStudent Expulsion and Staff Discipline – It Takes Grit!7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15Minneapolis Convention CenterTuition: $75; walk-ins add $10

Presenters: Jill E. Coyle, Attorney for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools; Nik Lightfoot, Director of Administrative Services, Hopkins Public Schools; and Margaret J. Westin, General Counsel, Osseo Area Public Schools

Expelling a student and disciplining a staff member can be two of the most difficult decisions made by school board members. Three in-district attorneys will present the policies and processes leading up to the superintendent’s recommendation to the school board regarding employee or student discipline, including a mock expulsion hearing. Find out what information you should receive to support your decision at the board table.

Achieving Higher Student Performance by Building a Board EVERYONE TRUSTS7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15Minneapolis Convention CenterTuition: $75; walk-ins add $10

Presenter: Steve Lamb, Board Development Specialist, Oregon School Boards Association

Steve Lamb has provided executive search services and board training for OSBA since 2006. He previously served as Team Leader for the Rural Community School Partnerships Program funded by The Ford Family Foundation at Willamette Education Service District. Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in psychological studies from Western

Oregon University and his MBA from Marylhurst University. With 37 years of program management and community engagement, he has helped groups set goals and build the will to achieve them. Organizations with a positive climate, he believes, achieve outcomes that are strikingly better than those achieved by organizations which lack a positive climate.

Jill E. Coyle Nik Lightfoot Margaret J. Westin

Financing available through

26 MSBA JournAl

2nd Wind Exercise EquipmentFitness equipment

4.0 School Services School bus transportation

Aim Electronics/Daktronics, Inc. Electronic scoreboard/message displays, logo tables and chairs, and mats

A.T. Group, LLC Employee benefits

Ameresco Energy services

American Student TransportationSchool bus contractor

Anderson-Johnson Associates, Inc.Landscape architecture, civil engineering, site planning

API Supply LiftsAerial work platforms

Architects Rego + Youngquist, inc.Architectural planning, design, and management of educational facilities

Ardent Lighting GroupHigh-quality sports lighting and playground structures

ArvigSecurity, business phone systems

ASVAB Career Exploration ProgramASVAB Career Exploration

Athletic Performance SolutionsAthletic flooring

ATS&R Planners/Architects/EngineersSpecialize in K-12 school planning, architecture, engineering, technology, interior design, and site development

A’viands Food & Services Management Food service management

Baseman Floors, Inc. Wood athletic flooring, synthetic flooring, refinishing wood flooring

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN Health insurance

BoardBook BoardBook provides the flexibility of iPads, laptops, or printed agenda packets for board meetings

Bossardt Corporation, A Wenck Company Construction management services

Bullis Insurance Agency Property, Liability and Workers’ Compensation

Central States Terrazzo AssociationTerrazzo flooring

CESA 10 Energy management services for K-12 schools

Chartwells School Dining ServicesFood service management

Clark Engineering Corporation Engineering, surveying, laser scanning, and more

ConEdison Solutions Energy efficiency

Contegrity Group Incorporated Construction management services

Cosney Corporation Casework, seating, bleachers, lab casework

Dashir Management Services, Inc.Building and grounds management

DLR Group Architecture, engineering, planning, interiors, commissioning and facility asset management evaluations

Donlar Construction Construction management, general contracting and design/build services

DSGW Architects Architecture

EAPC Architects Engineers Full-service architecture and engineering

Education Minnesota ESI Financial Services Financial services and tax-qualified administration and compliance services

Educators Benefit ConsultantsTPA handling flex accounts, HRA, HSA, COBRA, and 403(b)/457(b) administration and compliance

Ehlers Independent public financial advisory services

Eide Bailly, LLP Audit and health care reform

Empirehouse, Inc. Energy-efficient windows, heavy-duty entrance doors, glass and metal railing systems, decorative glass, and egress consultation services

EPS - Electrical Production ServicesElectrical contractor - building access control security systems

FieldTurf Artificial turf

Fisher Tracks, Inc. All-weather track surfaces

Flagship Recreation Playground equipment

FLR SandersGymnasium/Sport floors

Four Seasons Energy Efficient Roofing, Inc. Roofing/solar

our distinguished group of 2013 Conference exhibitors


General Energy Brokerage & Consulting, Inc. Energy project brokerage and consulting services

Gordon Bernard CompanySchool calendars, handbooks, registration books, spiral-bound planners

Groves Academy Non-profit community outreach

Haldeman-Homme, Inc. Casework, bleachers, lockers, wood floors, science and tech. equip., computer and library furniture, athletic equip., auditorium chairs and seating, PLTW, 3-D printers, and laser engravers

Hallberg Engineering, Inc. Mechanical/electrical consulting engineering

HealthPartners Medical and dental insurance

Herc-U-Lift, Inc. Personnel lifts, scissor lifts, material handling equipment, forklifts

Hiller Commercial Floors Commercial floor covering

Hoglund Bus Co, Inc. International school buses, parts, and service

Horizon Equipment, LLC Cooking and refrigeration repair service

I & S Group Facilities planning, feasibility studies, master planning, energy analysis, facility needs assessments, indoor air quality improvements, facility analysis

ICS Consulting, Inc. Planning and construction consulting services

IEA, Inc. Environmental, health and safety

Infinite Campus Student information system

Innovative Modular SolutionsModular buildings

Innovative Office Solutions School supplies, equipment and furniture, janitorial supplies

INSPEC, Inc. Architectural/engineering services

Intereum Furnishings, architectural products and installation services

This $11 million Pillager secondary school addition, designed by WSN, was completed in December 2012.

Alexandria | Baxter | Bemidji | Crookston | East Grand Forks | Grand Forks | Red Wing | Rochester

WidsethSmithNolting.com | Architecture Engineering Surveying Environmental

What can we do for your district?

[ VIDEO ] Learn more about this project at:WidsethSmithNolting.com/Multimedia

28 MSBA JournAl

John Baylor Test Prep & SchoolFinances.com ACT & SAT test prep

Johnson Controls, Inc. Indoor air quality - environmental

K12 Inc. Virtual school programs

Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc. Mechanical and electrical engineering, commissioning

KDV CPA services

Kennedy & Graven, Chartered Legal services

Kiefer Specialty Flooring, Inc.Athletic/commercial flooring and artificial turf

Know the Truth Substance abuse prevention program in Minnesota schools

Knutson Construction ServicesConstruction services

Kraus-Anderson Construction CompanyProfessional construction management services, referendum assistance, and facilities planning and management

Lakeshore Learning MaterialsEducational materials

LHB Architecture and engineering

LifeSpan of Minnesota, Inc.Children’s mental health services

LifeTrack Services Graduate survey programs, athletic surveys

Lightspeed Technologies, Inc.Classroom audio technology

Long Lake Conservation Center Environmental education

Lunchtime Solutions, Inc. Food service management

Marsden Services, LLC Facility maintenance and janitorial

McDonald’s c/o Keller Grayson Communications Quick service restaurant; education and brand trust information

McKinstry Energy efficiency, management and savings

Metz Construction Management & Consulting, Inc. Construction management, facility planning, project consulting, owner’s representation, facility assessments and project facilitation

Midwest Tennis & Track Co.Athletic track and tennis court surfacing

Minnesota Alliance With YouthDropout prevention initiative, Grad Minnesota information and youth council updates

Minnesota Army National GuardMinnesota Army National Guard, ASVAB program, You Can school programs

Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Providing education, training and services to staff that serve in school business management

Minnesota Central School BusContract student transportation services

Minnesota Department of EducationDivision of School Finance

Minnesota School Nutrition AssociationEducational/training

Minnesota Service CooperativesMinnesota Service Cooperatives

Minnesota State High School LeagueMSHSL/MSBA olympics

Minnesota State Industries ADA interior signage and exterior signage

Minnesota State Patrol - Office of Pupil Transportation Safety School bus safety, student transportation information

MLA Architects, Inc.Architectural/educational planning

MN Ag Education Leadership Council/MN Ag in the ClassroomEducation materials and grant information

MN Department of Health School environmental health resources

MN FCCLAStudent leadership development

MultivistaConstruction photo documentation

Musco Sports LightingSports field lighting

Musser Environmental Consulting, Inc.Health and safety consulting

National Insurance ServicesGroup insurance benefits - MSBAIT Life/LTD plans

National School Boards AssociationAssociation

Nexus Solutions, LLC Facility consulting services

North Central Bus & Equipment School buses

our distinguished group of 2013 Conference exhibitors Continued from page 27


North Central Insulation Providing the Sprayed Foam Roofing System for over 33 years, benefitting owners with lower maintenance and energy costs

Northland Securities, Inc. Northland Securities is a diversified financial securities firm recognized as a financial advisor and underwriter of tax-exempt and taxable debt issues

NPCG, LLC Playground equipment and surfacing

O’Meara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl P.A.Attorneys

Otter Tail Power Company Utility

Palmer Bus Service Student transportation

Paulsen Architects - now a part of I & S GroupArchitecture, engineering, interiors, planning and landscape architecture, and sustainable design

Perpich Center for Arts EducationState agency - education

PFM Asset Management LLC - MSDLAF+ MSDLAF+/PFM Asset Management, LLC

Piper Jaffray & Co. School district cash flow program

PMA Financial Network Inc.Financial investment and advisory services

PreferredOne Health benefits administration

Pro-Tec Design Physical security

Public Financial Management, Inc.Financial advisory services

R. A. Morton and AssociatesConstruction management and pre-referendum services

Renaissance Learning Educational software and hardware for schools

Riverport Insurance CompanyInsurance

Roof Spec, Inc.Building envelope engineers

30 MSBA JournAl

Scholastic Equipment Co., LLCFurniture and equipment for education

School Specialty School supplies, equipment and furniture

Seating & Athletic Facility Enterprises, LLC Indoor and outdoor seating (new and renovations); e.g., telescopic bleachers, grandstands, portable bleachers

SGN/Wendel Architects Architecture, engineering, interior design, planning

Skyward Inc. Skyward student, budgetary and human resources administrative software exclusively for K–12 school districts

Sports Technology Sports field lighting

Springsted, Inc. Provides independent financial advisory and consulting services to school districts

Staples Advantage Scholastic furniture, supplies and facilities

Student Assurance Services, Inc.Student accident insurance

Taher, Inc. Food service management

Teachers On Call TOC 24/7, featuring Aesop technology... customized, streamlined substitute staffing service for Pre-K–12 public, private, and charter schools

Teachscape Teachscape observation training, teacher evaluation, and professional learning systems improve teacher practice and student achievement

Tectum, Inc. Acoustical wall and ceiling panels; structural and acoustical roof decks

Telin Transportation Group Bus sales

The Center for Efficient School Operations Consulting services to school districts in the areas of facilities, health and safety, and transportation

TIES Education TechnologyEducation technology

our distinguished group of 2013 Conference exhibitors Continued from page 29

Ask US what it’s all about!w w w . t a h e r . c o mtel.952-945-0505 • s a l e s @ t a h e r . c om

We WillServe FreshWholesome

Food toYour Students

We WillImprove Your

FinancialResults

We WillTrainYourStaff

School Lunch Management ServicesSchool Lunch Management Services

tinyurl.com/TaherFacebook

twitter.com/taherfood4life

Tremco IncorporatedRoofing products/weather proofing services

TSP Architects and EngineersEducational planning, architectural and engineering services

University Funding ProfessionalsACT prep, Financial Aid planning and training workshops

Vaaler InsuranceInsurance and risk management specialists

VS - America, Inc.Classroom furniture/dynamic, flexible solutions

W. L. Hall CompanyWindows, skylights, lockers, fire doors, bleachers and auditorium seating

Webber Recreational Design, Inc.Park and playground equipment

Widseth Smith NoltingArchitecture, engineering, land surveying, and environmental services, with seven offices serving school districts throughout Minnesota

Winkelman Building Corp.Construction management services

Wold Architects & EngineersArchitectural and engineering services

Your AdvocAte to ensure project success

612.236.8665www.metzmanagement.com

twin cities Metro • Greater Minnesota

plAnninGconsultinGMAnAGeMent processFrom early programming assistance through implementation, call MetZ for all your educational project needs.

core services

n project consulting

n construction Management

n Facility planning

n community & stakeholder engagement programs

n project Facilitation

n Financing & costing Assistance

n programming

David Schoff

architects/engineers/Facility PlannersArchitects Rego + Youngquist, inc. (Paul Youngquist) 7601 Wayzata Blvd, Ste #200 St Louis Park, MN 55426 952-544-8941, Fax 952-544-0585 wwwaryarchcom pyoungquist@aryarchcom

ATS&R Planners/Architects/Engineers (Paul Erickson) 8501 Golden Valley Road, Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55427 763-545-3731, Fax 763-525-3289 wwwatsrcom perickson@atsrcom

Clark Engineering Corporation (Douglas Fell) 621 Lilac Drive North Minneapolis, MN 55422 763-545-9196, Fax 763-541-0056 wwwclark-engcom dfell@clark-engcom

Cuningham Group Architecture, Inc. (Gary Prest) 201 Main Street SE Suite 325 Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-379-3400, Fax 612-379-4400 wwwcuninghamcom gprest@cuninghamcom

DLR Group (Christopher Gibbs) 520 Nicollet Mall, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-977-3500, Fax 612-977-3600 wwwdlrgroupcom cgibbs@dlrgroupcom

GLTArchitects (Evan Larson) 808 Courthouse Square St Cloud, MN 56303 320-252-3740, Fax 320-255-0683 wwwgltarchitectscom elarson@gltarchitectscom

Hallberg Engineering, Inc. (Richard Lucio) 1750 Commerce Court White Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-748-1100, Fax 651-748-9370 wwwhallbergengineeringcom rlucio@hallbergengineeringcom

ICS Consulting, Inc. (Pat Overom) 5354 Edgewood Drive Mounds View, MN 55112 763-354-2670, Fax 763-780-2866 wwwics-consultcom pato@ics-consultcom

Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd. (Edward Kodet) 15 Groveland Terrace Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-377-2737, Fax 612-377-1331 wwwkodetcom arch@kodetcom

MSBA Playground Compliance Program (in partnership with National Playground Compliance Group, LLC) (Tim Mahoney) PO Box 506 Carlisle, IA 50047 866-345-6774, Fax 515-989-0344 wwwnssi-usacom tim@playgroundcompliancecom

Paulsen Architects - now a part of I & S Group (Bryan Paulsen) 115 East Hickory Street, Suite 300 Mankato, MN 56001 507-387-6651, Fax 507-387-3581 wwwis-grpcom bryanpaulsen@is-grpcom

TSP Architects and Engineers (Troy Miller) 18707 Old Excelsior Blvd Minnetonka, MN 55345 952-474-3291, Fax 952-474-3928 wwwteamtspcom millertw@teamtspcom

Wendel (Jim Wilson) 111 Washington Avenue North; Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-332-1401, Fax 612-332-1405 wwwwendelcompaniescom jwilson@wendelcompaniescom

Widseth Smith Nolting (Kevin Donnay) 7804 Industrial Park Road Baxter, MN 56425 218-316-3618, Fax 218-829-2517 wwwwidsethsmithnoltingcom kevindonnay@wsnuscom

Wold Architects and Engineers (Vaughn Dierks) 305 St Peter Street St Paul, MN 55102 651-227-7773, Fax 651-223-5646 wwwwoldaecom mail@woldaecom

athletic sports Floors/surfacingFisher Tracks, Inc. (Jordan Fisher) 1192 235th Street Boone, IA 50036 515-432-3191, Fax 515-432-3193 wwwfishertrackscom jfisher@fishertrackscom MSBA Playground Compliance Program (in partnership with National Playground Compliance Group, LLC) (Tim Mahoney) PO Box 506 Carlisle, IA 50047 866-345-6774, Fax 515-989-0344 wwwnssi-usacom tim@playgroundcompliancecom

attorneysBooth & Lavorato LLC (Laura Tubbs Booth) 10520 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 200 Minnetonka, MN 55305 763-253-4155, Fax 763-253-4160 wwwboothlavoratolawcom ltbooth@boothlavoratolawcom

Kennedy & Graven, Chartered (Neil Simmons) 470 US Bank Plaza, 200 S 6th St Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-337-9300, Fax 612-337-9310 wwwkennedy-gravencom contactus@kennedy-gravencom

Knutson, Flynn & Deans (Thomas S Deans) 1155 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 10 Mendota Heights, MN 55120 651-222-2811, Fax 651-225-0600 wwwkfdmncom tdeans@kfdmncom

Pemberton Law (Mike Rengel) 110 N Mill Street Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-736-5493, Fax 218-736-3950 wwwpemlawcom mrengel@pemlawcom

Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. (Joseph J Langel) 730 2nd Ave S, Ste 300 Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-339-0060, Fax 612-339-0038 wwwratwiklawcom postmaster@ratwiklawcom

Construction Management & Consulting servicesICS Consulting, Inc. (Pat Overom) 5354 Edgewood Drive Mounds View, MN 55112 763-354-2670, Fax 763-780-2866 wwwics-consultcom pato@ics-consultcom

Kraus-Anderson Construction Company (John Huenink) 8625 Rendova Street NE Circle Pines, MN 55014 763-792-3616, Fax 763-786-2650 wwwkrausandersoncom johnhuenink@krausandersoncom

Metz Construction Management & Consulting, Inc. (Deb Metz) 20759 Eastway Road Richmond, MN 56368 612-236-8665 wwwmetzmanagementcom deb@metzmanagementcom

MSBA Playground Compliance Program (in partnership with National Playground Compliance Group, LLC) (Tim Mahoney) PO Box 506 Carlisle, IA 50047 866-345-6774, Fax 515-989-0344 wwwnssi-usacom tim@playgroundcompliancecom

educational Programs/servicesMinnesota State Academies for the Deaf and Blind (Brad Harper) 615 Olof Hanson Drive Faribault, MN 55021 507-384-6602, Fax 507-332-5528 wwwmsastatemnus bradharper@msastatemnus

32 MSBA JournAl

MSBA’s Vendor Directory helps connect school districts with the products and services they need. The directory is always at your fingertips. You’ll find it printed in the back of every Journal magazine as well as on the MSBA Website at www.mnmsba.org. Most listings in the Web version of this directory include a link so you can head instantly to a Website or e-mail address. The directory includes everything you need to know to contact a company quickly—phone numbers, fax numbers and addresses—in an easy-to-read format. If you have a service or product you would like included in this directory, please contact Sue Munsterman at 507-934-2450 or [email protected].

MSBA’s vendor directory


The Minnesota Service Cooperatives (Jeremy Kovash) 1001 East Mount Faith Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-739-3273, Fax 218-739-2459 wwwlcscorg jkovash@lcscorg

electrical engineers/aV systemsWidseth Smith Nolting (Kevin Donnay) 7804 Industrial Park Road Baxter, MN 56425 218-316-3618, Fax 218-829-2517 wwwwidsethsmithnoltingcom kevindonnay@wsnuscom

energy solutions Johnson Controls, Inc. (Lyle C Schumann) 2605 Fernbrook Lane N Plymouth, MN 55447 763-585-5148, Fax 763-566-2208 wwwjohnsoncontrolscom Lylecschumann@jcicom

Financial ManagementEhlers (Joel Sutter) 3060 Centre Pointe Drive Roseville, MN 55113 651-697-8514, Fax 651-697-8555 wwwehlers-inccom jsutter@ehlers-inccom

MSBA-Sponsored Administration and Compliance Service (A&C Service) Administration and Compliance Service (Paige McNeal, Educators Benefit Consultants, LLC) 888-507-6053 or 763-552-6053 Fax 763-552-6055 wwwebcsolutionscom paige@ebcsolutionscom

MSBA-Sponsored MNTAAB (Minnesota Tax and Aid Anticipation Borrowing)Program MNTAAB (Patty Heminover, Springsted, Inc) 800-236-3033 or 651-223-3058 Fax 651-268-5058 wwwspringstedcom pheminover@springstedcom

MSBA-Sponsored P-Card (Procurement Card) Program P-Card Program 800-891-7910 or 314-878-5000 Fax 314-878-5333 wwwpowercardpfmcom

MSBA-Sponsored SchoolFinances.com SchoolFinancescom (Jim Sheehan, Ann Thomas) Sheehan: 952-435-0990 Thomas: 952-435-0955 wwwschoolfinancescom Jim@schoolfinancescom Ann@schoolfinancescom

MSBA-Sponsored PaySchools-Data Business Systems (Andy Eckles) 17011 Lincoln Ave Parker, CO 80134 303-779-6573; 855-210-8232 X 130 Fax 720-208-9852 wwwpayschoolscom wwwdatabusyscom andyeckles@databusyscom

PFM Asset Management, LLC - MSDLAF+ (Donn Hanson) 45 South 7th Street, Suite 2800 Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-371-3720, Fax 612-338-7264 wwwmsdlaforg hansond@pfmcom

Fire & security Arvig 888-992-7844 wwwarvigcom answers@arvigcom

Fitness equipment2nd Wind Exercise Equipment (Shon Hartman) 7585 Equitable Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-240-4512, Fax 952-544-5053 www2ndwindexercisecom shartman@2ndwindexercisecom

Floor CoveringsHiller Commercial Floors (Dave Bahr) 2909 S Broadway Rochester, MN 55904 507-254-6858 or 888-724-1766 Fax 507-288-8877 wwwhillercarpetcom dbahr@hillercarpetcom

Food service Products & servicesTaher, Inc. (Erin Hove) 5570 Smetana Dr Minnetonka, MN 55343 952-345-2891, Fax 952-945-0444 wwwtahercom EHove@tahercom

health insurancePreferredOne (Mike Thielen) 6105 Golden Hills Drive Golden Valley, MN 55416 763-847-3549, Fax 763-847-4010 wwwPreferredOnecom mikethielen@preferredonecomindoor air QualityMinnesota Department of Health - Indoor Air Unit (John Olson) PO Box 64975 St Paul, MN 55164-0975 651-201-4614, Fax 651- 201-4606 wwwhealthstatemnus/

schoolenvironments johndolson@statemnus

insuranceBullis Insurance Agency - Assured Risk Protection (Marc Bullis) 407 East Lake Street #201 Wayzata, MN 55391 (952) 449-0089 mbullis@bullisagencycom

Minnesota School Boards Association Insurance Trust (MSBAIT) (Denise Drill, Gary Lee,

John Sylvester, Amy Fullenkamp-Taylor) 1900 West Jefferson Avenue St Peter, MN 56082-3015 800-324-4459, Fax 507-931-1515 wwwmsbaitorg ddrill@mnmsbaorg glee@mnmsbaorg jsylvester@mnmsbaorg ataylor@mnmsbaorg

PlaygroundsMSBA Playground Compliance Program (in partnership with National Playground Compliance Group, LLC) (Tim Mahoney) PO Box 506 Carlisle, IA 50047 866-345-6774, Fax 515-989-0344 wwwnssi-usacom tim@playgroundcompliancecom

roofingFour Seasons Energy Efficient Roofing, Inc. (Darrell Schaapveld) 1410 Quant Ave N Marine on St Croix, MN 55047 651-433-2443, Fax 651-433-2834 wwwfseercom darrell@fseercom

security/Communication systems Arvig 888-992-7844 wwwarvigcom answers@arvigcom

software systemsPaySchools-Data Business Systems (Andy Eckles) 17011 Lincoln Ave Parker, CO 80134 303-779-6573; 855-210-8232 X 130 Fax 720-208-9852 wwwpayschoolscom wwwdatabusyscom andyeckles@databusyscom

technologyPaySchools-Data Business Systems (Andy Eckles) 17011 Lincoln Ave Parker, CO 80134 303-779-6573; 855-210-8232 X 130 Fax 720-208-9852 wwwpayschoolscom wwwdatabusyscom andyeckles@databusyscom

transportationAmerican Bus Sales, LLC (Eric Edwards) 12802 N 103rd E Ave Collinsville, OK 74021 866-574-9970, Fax 918-205-5009 wwwamericanbussalesnet eedwards@americanbussalesnet

Hoglund Bus Co., Inc. (Jason Anderson) 116 E Oakwood Dr, PO Box 249 Monticello, MN 55362 800-866-3105, Fax 763-295-4992 wwwhoglundbuscom salesmanager@hoglundbuscom

Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (Shelly Jonas) 10606 Hemlock St NW Annandale, MN 55302 320-274-8313, Fax 320-274-8027 wwwmsboacom shellyj@msboacom

North Central Bus & Equipment (Sandy Kiehm) 2629 Clearwater Road St Cloud, MN 56301 320-257-1209, Fax 320-252-3561 wwwnorthcentralinccom sandyk@northcentralinccom

Telin Transportation Group (Jamie Romfo) 14990 Industry Ave Becker, MN 55308 866-287-7278 or 763-262-3328, Fax 763-262-3332 wwwtelingroupcom jromfo@telingroupcom

Wireless Communications Arvig 888-992-7844 wwwarvigcom answers@arvigcom

AdvertisersATS&R Planners/Architects/Engineers Page 23Booth & Lavorato LLC Page 29Eide Bailly Page 17Hoglund Bus Co, Inc Page 16Kennedy & Graven, Chartered Page 7Knutson, Flynn & Deans, PA Page 23Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Page 12Mackin Educational Resources Page 17Metz Construction Management & Consulting, Inc Page 31 Minnesota Department of Health – Indoor Air Unit Page 21MSBAIT Page 36MSDLAF+ Page 7PreferredOne Page 2Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, PA Page 13Rupp, Anderson, Squires & Waldspurger, PA Page 34Taher, Inc Page 30The Minnesota Service Cooperatives Page 22Telin Transportation Group Page 25Widseth Smith Nolting Page 27Wold Architects & Engineers Page 12

Named

2009, 2010 & 2012 Best Print

Publicationby the Minnesota School

Public Relations Association

Cited for“Comprehensive Coverage”

“Impressive Student Artwork”

Brought to you by YOUR MSBA

RUPP, ANDERSON, SQUIRES &WALDSPURGER, P.A.

With over 100 years of combined experience representing schools and school districts, our attorneys are dedicated to providing customized, cost-effective legal services that fit your needs.

P: 612-436-4300 F: 612-436-4340

527 Marquette Ave South, Suite 1200 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

www.raswlaw.com

CLIENT FOCUSED. RESULTS DRIVEN. CONTACT US


aSk mSbap

While this new technology offers exciting opportunities for education, the decision whether to take the digital leap may turn on finances.

OOne of the trends in school districts across the state is to equip their teachers and students with iPads, other electronic tablets, or electronic readers (for simplicity, these technological wonders will hereinafter collectively be referred to as “e-devices”) While this new technology offers exciting opportunities for education, the decision whether to take the digital leap may turn on finances MSBA wants to make sure legal and good decisions are made by school districts

Q. Can school districts charge a fee to the students who get an e-device?

A These new e-devices are so popular for so many reasons that districts may be tempted to charge a fee to each student who gets an e-device Parents may not complain about the fee because they can see the benefits to their children, but a fee may be illegal anyway If an e-device is a substitute for one or more textbooks or used for similar purposes, MSBA’s position is that districts cannot charge a fee for the use of the e-device The statute addressing prohibited fees (MS 123B37) prevents schools from charging for textbooks While the statute does not specifically include e-devices, if the information formerly obtained from a paper textbook is now obtained from text on an e-device, MSBA does not believe a school district can charge a fee for that content just because the means of delivery has changed Perhaps a successful argument can be made that a fee for an e-device which delivers textbook content does not violate the letter of the law; however, charging such a fee certainly violates the spirit of this law

Q. Can school districts charge a fee to the students if they get to keep the e-device?

A Even if the students are allowed to keep the e-devices, Minnesota law does not state the school may charge for them If students have the option to keep “the resultant product” of a program, schools may charge a fee pursuant to MS 123B36, Subd 1(b)(1) Because an e-device is not “the resultant product” of a class, even if a student is allowed to keep the

e-device, this provision does not allow school districts to charge the students MSBA does not think school districts can allow students to keep the devices for free either When school districts dispose of surplus equipment, the best price must be obtained

Q. Can school districts charge students a security fee for the e-device?

A Schools may charge a security deposit for return of an undamaged e-device This deposit must be refunded when the e-device is returned

Q. Can school districts charge students for insurance on the e-device?

A Schools can offer insurance for a fee to cover repair or replacement of a damaged or lost e-device However, insurance must be an option rather than a mandate Parents may choose to take the risk of repair or replacement of the e-device without insurance

Q. Do school boards need to take any steps before instituting a new fee?

A Before any of these new fees are charged for the first time, a hearing is required by MS 123B38 because the fees for security deposits or insurance are fees “not authorized or prohibited” by MS 123B36 and 123B37, respectively

Q. Can we charge all students a security deposit fee or insurance fee?

A School districts are often required to offer a sliding scale for fees to accommodate families without the ability to pay the fees The security deposits and insurance fees for e-devices likely would be examined the same way Public education is available to all resident children, and the constitutional principle is: Public education is paid for by the government (federal, state, and local) not by individual families through tuition or fees

Cathy Miller, Director of Legal

and Policy Services

how can SchoolS pay for ipadS, other tabletS, or e-readerS?

1900 West Jefferson Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082-3015

prSrT STD

U.S. pOSTagE

paiDmaNKaTO, mN

pErmiT NO. 47

Property, Inland Marine, and CrimeWorkers’ Compensation

School Leaders’ Legal LiabilityAutomobile

Group Term LifeLong-Term Disability

General LiabilityExcess Liability

Protection assurance when you need it. The Minnesota School Boards Association

Insurance Trust (MSBAIT) endorses companies with a proven record of service.

Your MSBAIT contacts

Denise Drill

ddrill@ mnmsba.org

Amy Fullenkamp-Taylor

ataylor@ mnmsba.org

Gary Leeglee@

mnmsba.org

John Sylvesterjsylvester@

mnmsba.org

MSBAIT — addressing the needs of public schools’ risk-management programs since 1972

Quality Coverage and Service Tailor-Made For School Districts

Find out what MSBAIT can do for your district.Call 800-324-4459 or visit www.msbait.org.

Documents

November-December 2013 Journal