Cloquet School Board supports strategic plan

The Cloquet school board met Monday, April 1, and approved a proposal to explore strategic planning coordination services, which would start the process of implementing a new 5- to 10-year strategic plan. Superintendent Michael Cary suggested that the board approve the proposal from Bruce Miles of Big River Group; the board has used Miles’ work in the past. Miles would schedule meetings within the school system and the community to gather information, likely this fall, and prepare a report to start the long-range vision planning process. Chair Ted Lammi commented that he hoped the plan would include consideration of the school’s facility needs; Cary assured him that it would.

In other news, middle school assistant principal Tom Lenarz informed the board that a new therapy dog is being phased in at the school. It’s the first time a trained therapy dog has been used in the middle school, Lenarz said.

High school principal Steve Battaglia updated board members on the continuing issue of “vaping,” or using e-cigarettes. Battaglia mentioned that he has met with the American Lung Association on the issue, and is monitoring vaping by students. Vaping is harder to detect than using traditional cigarettes, he said, and its popularity with students, who don’t always understand the health risks, is rising.

AFSCME has filed a grievance over the hiring of a new head secretary at the high school. Three applicants were considered, and while all three had qualifications in certain areas, the hiring committee selected the candidate that they felt was “head and shoulders above the others, no question.” AFSCME’s grievance surrounds the hiring process, according to comments made during the meeting, and would be more formally addressed at the next board meeting.

Cary also mentioned that of the three recent resignation letters received, all three made mention of the highly positive experience each had while working in the district. Cary took those comments as a compliment to the district, as, in his experience, most resignation letters are short and to the point.

The board also approved the hiring of a long-term substitute for a maternity leave at the middle school; the board was impressed with the candidate’s resume and “life experience” and asked the superintendent to follow up to get a reference from the candidate’s last school employer.

Washington Elementary principal Robbi Mondati reported that 87 children are registered for kindergarten at Washington next fall; that number is consistent with recent trends. She also mentioned that Grandparents Day has evolved to reflect awareness that many children rely on grandparents as primary caregivers more than in the past, and the school is excited to be able to recognize their contributions.

Cary also reported on the success of the career and technical options program: a handful of students have been offered jobs directly after graduation, and he sees a bright future for the program. Cary noted that teacher contract negotiations are coming soon. He also plans to evaluate the Legislature’s recent action allowing forgiveness of up to 14 “snow days,” to determine if taking advantage of the one-time law brings any financial benefit to the district. If so, Cary will report his findings to the board, probably after the school year ends.