Superintendent Saga January 6, 2023
Parkers Prairie ISD 547
Superintendent Saga
January 6, 2023
Gratitude
The sun is shining as I write this. We have had four days of school in the new year. Temperatures are forecast to reach the high twenties next week. Student attendance is much improved. Days are getting longer.
Technology
School Board members are reminded that the District has Chromebooks available for your use if you would like. I did investigate the use of BoardBook which is endorsed by MSBA. BoardBook is a web-based software application that streamlines the preparation, distribution and publishing of agenda packets for board meetings. However, the cost is either $2,225 per year for Tier 1 BoardBook, or $3,225 per year for Tier 2 BoardBook.
Teacher Pay Teachers provided a brief professional learning opportunity this morning for teachers who signed up. I am interested to see how this resource is used.
At the request of teachers we are implementing a classroom device management system at the high school. The tool selected is from Hapara. We have purchased a one year subscription to Hapara Instructional Management Suite (Teacher Dashboard, Highlights, Workspace and Student Dashboard) which includes deployment, adoption and support services. Dedicated setup, consultation/follow-up and top-tier support services (24-hour response). Professional Learning package which includes private Community membership, free self-paced courses, Hapara Champion Certification Program, customized playbook and a PL rollout planning consultation meeting with district/school leadership. Priced per student the suite costs $1,852 for the calendar year 2023. There is professional learning for teachers scheduled for January 16th.
Along with the Instructional suite we purchased a needed content filtering solution. Hāpara Filter works on any device, whether students are learning at school or at home. When they log in to their school Google account on Chromebooks or a personal device, learners are protected. It makes it easy for instruction to safely transition between in-person or remote learning. the best web filter solution for school districts using Google Workspace for Education.
Linda Bates has scheduled a Technology committee meeting for Tuesday, January 17 @ 3:15 p.m. in the HS Media Center.
Management
Otter Tail Power Company Representative Lori Moxness visited on Thursday. They are offering rebates for transitioning to LED lights and for other potential energy reduction modifications. They will be doing an audit of both buildings and providing data on potential savings and return on investment. I asked them to also evaluate the cost of using ancillary appliances like heaters, microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee pots throughout the buildings. Our electrical energy costs were over $100,000 last year.
The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT was delivered on Thursday. It needs to undergo a DOT inspection before it can be used to transport students.
Budgeting
The principals and I met to begin looking at staffing needs for next year. I also met with Roger and Kris to begin developing the list of potential summer 2023 projects. The Board Facilities committee should meet before the end of the month to review the list.
Administration and department leads have already been asked to begin looking at possibilities. There will be many meetings over the next two months to review student enrollment projections, long term facilities maintenance, curricular offerings, and staffing needs.
MSBA Leadership Conference 2023 – January 12-13
Looking forward to the Leadership Conference next week. It has always been a great networking and learning opportunity.
School Board Organizational Meeting Monday, Jan 9, 2023
See you there!
Peter E. Haapala, Interim Superintendent
“If we create a culture where every teacher (employee) believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve.” —Dylan Wiliam