School Board Discusses Principal Evaluation, Personnel Development Grant

The Milbank School District’s Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday, November 15, and began discussions about a new principal evaluation model and a new personnel development grant.

According to Superintendent Tim Graf, the State Board of Education adopted Principal Evaluation requirements and Performance Standards and Regulations in July. “As part of our accreditation review, our administrative team discussed this and picked standards we felt were the most appropriate,” he said. “This is similar to what we are doing with the Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation piece. We feel this is an improvement on what we are currently using.” The second reading will take place at next month’s meeting.

The board also discussed a new State Personnel Development Grant (SDSPDG) that the Milbank School District has been invited to apply for. “The grant is an opportunity to provide supports for literacy that is comprehensive and based on the Multi-tiered System of Support Framework,” explained Graf. The grant includes funds for a coach to implement literacy professional development including in-class coaching and lead data analysis. The grant is for a five-year period. Years 1-3 are fully paid for by the grant with years 4-5 at a 50% match. The board decided to proceed with applying for this grant.

In various action items, the board approved the 2018-2019 school calendar, the second reading of the health guidelines updated policy, an open enrollment application for a seventh and eighth grade student from the Big Stone City District, and the tuition agreement for a junior student from Big Stone City who moved into the district.

The board approved the resignation of Kathy Johnson as a paraprofessional. Johnson has been with the district since 1984. Approval was also given for Jeremy Tostenson, who resigned as head football coach for the Bulldogs.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education was set for Monday, December 11, at 6 p.m. in the Central Office board room.