Summary of Name Change Data

Name Change Data Summary

Statements

Among the statements provided by individuals about the things that we do well as a school and that are valued by the those responding to the survey, there were two predominant themes.  First was about the school as a community as safe, welcoming and accepting.  Some select statements are:

·        value they don't tolerate "isms" like racism, classism, homophobia, instead the actively address these issues and will not allow them to slide by

·        Value how open-ended everyone is and how warm and wecloming to school was from the first day

·        Value acceptance of diverse personalities of kids and exposure to other cultures and ethnicities to help students gain a wider understanding of our own community and the global community

·        Welcoming students into the community, providing space for students to follow their passions, and rejoicing in students' successes.

·        builds a community, produce wonderful people

·        Value the small size, allowing for more intimate relationships with faculty; the size engenders a community small enough that you kinda have to be nice to everyone because you're not going to be more than 30 feet from them every day

·        Value the environment of ARTech and the social acceptability. It is a safe place for students and staff which provides a comfortable atmosphere for learning/teaching.

The second was about the learning environment of the school as encouraging, supportive, and mostly, honoring individuality and creativity.  Some select statements are:

·        Provides opportunities for critical thinking High expectations

·        They help the students learn to focus, think positive, and look at their future early so they have a direction on where they need to study and strive for as they go into adulthood.

·        Helps each student find creative ways of gathering knowledge and then sharing that knowledge (personal projects)

·        Imbue creativity, foster independence, create community, develop relationships 

between students and students and staff, teach critical thinking

·        ARTech gives our kids a "voice." ARTech cares deeply for the students and invests in them personally. ARTech blends the academic disciplines into a well-balanced whole.

·        Value the students having a voice in the school and are empowered to make decisions

·        Value independent learning skills, ability to appreciate and support difference in learning styles, respect for each other, helping students find and develop interests and talents, proactive about social and health curriculum.

·        Value that ARTech allows the students to develop themselves as academic individuals

·        provides individualized support, mentoring, teaching creates a community where students can be everything they are....that day, and again the next day, if they are different a place where students can explore who they are and who their interests are in their (own) way 

·        encourage individual growth within a connected community

These are only a handful of comments, but a selection that is representative of the 336 comments collected.

Adjectives

Over 600 adjectives were submitted.  Below are the top twenty. 

Adjective	#
creative	26
independence/individual (or derivation)	19
fun	18
community	17
friendly (or derivation)	15
small (or derivation)	14
accepting (or derivation)	13
open (or derivation)	13
unique (or derivation)	13
awesome	12
project-based	12
artistic (or derivation)	11
innovative	11
safe	10
supportive	10
welcoming	10
progressive	9
diverse	8
inclusive	7

February 9, 2012 School Board Agenda

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

February 9, 2012

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

 1.       Call meeting to order

 2.       Verify Quorum

 3.       Approve Agenda

 4.       Approve Minutes of January 12, 2012 and January 28, 2012

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the ARTech School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.       Consent Agenda:  Approve the following new policies and review of old policies:

                  609 – Religion Policy

                  609.1 – Religious Accommodation Policy

                  724 – School District General Records Retention Schedule

            902.1 – Facility Neutrality and Equal Access for Student Non-Curricular Groups

            902.2 – Facility Neutrality and Equal Access for Boys Scouts of America, Title 36, and Other                                Outside Youth and Community Groups

 7.       Reports

(a)    Directors Report

(b)    Financial Report

(c)    Chair Report

(d)    Committee Reports: Arts Committee

(e)    Student Report

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:

(a)    Contract Renewal

(b)    Name Discussion

(c)    F1 Visa Status update

 9.       Announcements:

(a)    Open House – Sunday, February 12 at 2:00

(b)    Early Release – February 16 & 21

(c)    Presentation Night – March 1 at 6:30 pm

(d)    High School Information Night – March 6 at 7:00 pm

(e)    Next Board Meeting – March 8, 2012 at 6:30

 10.    Adjourn

January 28, 2012 School Board Retreat Agenda

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Retreat Agenda

January 28, 2012, 9:00 am

Community Resource Bank, Northfield

 1.       Call meeting to order

 2.       Verify Quorum

 3.       Approve Agenda

 4.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the ARTech School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 5.       Reports – Dr. Richardson’s visit & Name Change Committee

 6.       Review By-laws

 7.       New Policies

(a)    609 – Religion Policy

(b)    609.1 – Religious Accommodation

(c)    724 – School District General Records Retention Schedule

(d)    724.1 – Retention and Destruction of Student Records for Special Education

(e)    902 – Use of School Facilities

(f)     902.1 – Facility Neutrality and Equal Access for Student Non-Curricular Groups

(g)    902.2 – Facility Neutrality and Equal Access for Boys Scouts of America, Title 36, and Other Outside Youth and Community Groups

(h)    410.1 – Leave of Absence – discussion only

 8.       Calendar Discussion

(a)    Hand outs and Small Group Discussions

(b)    Suggestions

 9.       Review of old Policies

(a)    102 – Equal Educational Opportunity

(b)    103 – Complaints – Students, Staff, Parents, other Persons

(c)    104 – School District Mission/Vision Statements

(d)    201 – Legal Status of the School Board

(e)    202 – School Board Election Process

(f)     203, 203.1, 203.1, 203.3, 203.5, 203.6 – Operation & Meeting policies

(g)    204 – School Board Meeting Minutes

(h)    205 – Open Meetings

(i)      206 – Public Participation

(j)      207 – Public Hearings

(k)    208, 208.1 – Development & Revision of Policies

(l)      209 – Code of Ethics

(m)  210.1 – Conflict of Interest

(n)    211 – Criminal or Civic Action

(o)    214 – Out of State Travel

(p)    301 – School District Administration

(q)    301.2 – Admissions Policy

(r)     302 – School Director

(s)    303 – School Director Selection

(t)     305 – Policy Implementation

(u)    306 – Administration Code of Ethics

(v)    401 – Equal Employment

(w)  402 – Disability

(x)    406 – Public and Private Personnel Data

(y)    407 – Employee Right to Know

(z)    408 – Subpoena of a School District Employee

(aa) 410 – Family and Medical Leave Policy

 10.    Adjourn

November 10, 2011 School Board Agenda & Minutes

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Monthly Meeting Agenda

November 10, 2011

6:30 pm

ARTech at 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

 1.       Call meeting to order

 2.       Verify Quorum

 3.       Approve Agenda

 4.       Approve Minutes of October 13, 2011

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  This is an opportunity for community members to address the ARTech School Board on subjects related to the school. Please limit comments to three minutes.

 6.       Consent Agenda:  None

 7.       Reports

(a)    Financial Report (including report on hot lunches)

(b)    Directors Report

(c)    Chair Report – none

(d)    Committee Reports: Communication Committee

(e)    Student Report

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:

(a)    Elect officers

(b)    Self-study discussion

(c)    Dates for Board Retreat

(d)    Name Discussion

(e)    Policy Discussion

 9.       Announcements:

(a)    Thanks-Give – November 18

(b)    Workshop – November 23

(c)    Thanksgiving Break – November 24-25

(d)    Next Board Meeting – December 8

(e)    End of 2^nd Quarter/Presentation Night – December 23

 10.    Adjourn

 ____________________________________________________________________

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

School Board Meeting Minutes

November 10, 2011

 1.       Call meeting to order at 6:34pm.

 2.       Verify Quorum: Tammy Prichard, Tim Goodwin, Jake Roberts, Janine Nelson, Annie Klawiter, Sheri Acosta.  Also attending: Ryan Krominga, Lori Urke, Rebecca McMullen, Joe Pahr

 3.       Motion to approve Agenda: Sheri Acosta, second Annie Klawiter, approved unanimously.

 4.       Motion to approve Minutes of October 13, 2011, Sheri Acosta, second Jake Roberts, approved unanimously

 5.       Speaker's Corner:  Joe Pahr introduced a new student led initiative called “Northfield Area Spring Charter School Conference” and asked for board feedback.  Initiative is in early stages of development.  Preliminary goals of the initiative are to 1) begin dialogue with other charter schools in the area, 2) provide publicity for charter schools,  3) possibly provide a recruiting tool.  Joe will continue working on initiative and supporting students, and will keep board informed of progress.

 6.       Consent Agenda:  None

 7.       Reports

(a)    Food Audit Report:  Rebecca McMullen presented report on the upcoming food audit, due December 20, 2011.  Rebecca presented information regarding requirements for food program compliance, including monitoring, record keeping, and offer vs. serve options for middle and/or high school students.  Compliance is required to receive assistance under Free and Reduced Food Program.

(b)    Financial Report: Janine Nelson and Ryan Krominga presented upcoming financial due dates, explained items on the board expenditures comparison report, and presented the cash flow report to board.  See attached 11-7-11 Finance Committee Minutes for more detail.

(c)    Director Report:  Ryan Krominga presented current enrollment status, curricular initiatives, and staffing updates.  The building project status is progressing and expected completion and occupancy by Thanks-Give.  Self-Study is being drafted and Ryan is accepting suggestions for the evaluation team.  See attached 11-10-11 Director Report for more details.

(d)    Chair Report:  None

(e)    Committee Reports: Communication Committee report was presented by Sheri Acosta.  Committee has met once this year.  Lisa Malecha is leading this committee.  Hoping to recruit a few more members.  The committee is reviewing the content of the School Profile that is sent to colleges.  Sheri is looking into “Volunteer Spot”, an online website helpful for organizing volunteers.  Discussion about whether Parent Volunteer Coordinator should be part of Communications Committee. The next Communication Meeting is November 15.

(f)     Student Report:  None

 8.       Discussion and Action Items:

(a)    Election of School Board Officers for 2011/2012:

 i.            Motion to elect Tammy Prichard as Chair:  Annie Klawiter, second Tim Goodwin, unanimously approved,

 ii.          Motion to elect Jan Rohwer as Vice-Chair; Tim Goodwin, second Sheri Acosta, unanimously approved

 iii.         Motion to elect Janine Nelson as Treasurer; Tammy Prichard, second Annie Klawiter, unanimously approved,

 iv.        Motion to elect Tim Goodwin as Secretary; Tammy Prichard, second Annie Klawiter, unanimously approved.

(b)    Self-study discussion:  covered in Director’s Report

(c)    Board Retreat:  Discussed and reviewed board training requirements for new board members.  Board retreat will be separate from board training.  Artech will try to reserve a conference room at St. Olaf for board retreat.  Date set for board retreat is January 28, 2012.  Primary purpose of board retreat is to review school policies. 

(d)    Name change discussion:  Anne Klawiter led the discussion and stated that the name change topic was raised at two recent staff meetings for staff feedback.  Staff appeared to support continued exploration of name change.  Tim Goodwin has contacted Department of Ed, and Secretary of State, and learned there are no roadblocks to name change for charter school.  Board expressed sentiment that the school has a very strong identity that might not be represented by its name.  Discussed need to communicate to community that intention is not to change school identity, culture or curriculum.  The intention is to have name reflect existing identity, culture and curriculum.  Board discussed how the timing of a name change may work out well next year, which will be the school’s 10^th year of operation, and could coincide with a reflection of how the school has evolved since its inception. 

Action:  Motion to change the name of Artech so that it more accurately represents the school’s existing identity; Annie Klawiter, second Jake Roberts, approved unanimously.

(e)    Policy Discussion:  First Reading of revised policies 609, 103, and 406. 

Ryan Krominga presented need to review and revise existing policies to comply with recent changes resulting from a lawsuit surrounding lease aid to sectarian organizations, religious accommodation policies, and lawful accommodation of religion in public schools.  Templates are provided by MDE that include policy assurances that will comply with revised requirements.  Ryan has modified Artech’s policies to be in compliance by Department of Ed’s upcoming deadlines.   See attached documents for more information.

9.         Announcements:

(a)        Thanks-Give – November 18

(b)        Workshop – November 23

(c)        Thanksgiving Break – November 24-25

(d)        Next Board Meeting – December 8

(e)        End of 2nd Quarter/Presentation Night – December 23

10.    Motion to adjourn Janine Nelson, second Jake Roberts, approved unanimously.

Adjourn at 8:45.

Respectfully Submitted by Janine Nelson

Letter #2 Regarding Name Change

January 19, 2012

Dear ARTech Community -- Parents, students, staff, and alumni,

                Many of you may remember, or have heard of, a letter that was sent out last December regarding the idea of a potential name change for the school.  As the earlier letter mentioned, the idea of a name change is not new to the staff at ARTech.  The topic had periodically come up with them as they reflected on the school’s identity, mission, and vision. Anne Klawiter, a teacher and newly-elected school board member, approached the board this fall with the suggestion that we officially consider the idea of changing the school’s name.  Both the board and staff were supportive of a thoughtful, deliberate process to explore finding a new name for the school.

               

                Over time, parents and staff have expressed concerns that the name does not accurately describe who we are.  In the last few years, we have grown and become established in our identity and mission; we have developed a successful hybrid of a project-based model of education.  With a new director, two new classrooms, and a 10- year lease, we want to continue to make progress and move forward.  Many have expressed a hope that a new name would communicate to the greater population the wonderful things ARTech does to build and encourage a learning community.

               

                The “Name Change Committee,” (for lack of a better name) has set out a process for inviting input and communicating with our community.  Below is our plan:

·         January 19 – Annie Klawiter and Ryan Krominga met with High School and Middle School advisories to discuss the reasoning behind the name change and to field questions and concerns;

·         February 7 at 7:00 – Community meeting for the entire ARTech community to discuss “who we are” as a school.  We’ll look at what we feel are the most important aspects of the school or what we value the most.  We’ll also brainstorm adjectives that describe the school.  For those who can’t attend the meeting, we’ll open a Survey Monkey in order to get responses to these same talking points.  The Survey Monkey will close on February 14.

·         The responses will be gathered and communicated back to the ARTech community by February 28.  At this time we’ll be inviting name suggestions that reflect some of the ideas discussed and submitted. 

·         Name suggestions will be collected via e-mail, Survey Monkey, or at the school until March 13.

·         The list of names will be sent out to the community on March 16 in the form of an interest survey in order to help narrow the list.  This survey will stay open until March 30.

·         Between April 2 – 11, interested staff and board members will meet to decide using a consensus format the new name of the school.

·         This name will be presented at the April 12 School Board meeting in the form of a policy.

·         A second reading of the policy will be held at the May 10 meeting.  At this time, the new name will be adopted and announced by the School Board

                As we all think about the school and its unique characteristics, we thought it would be helpful to remind ourselves of the school’s mission:

It is the mission of the Northfield School of Arts and Technology to prepare our students to transition intellectually, emotionally, and ethically to higher education and future employment.

               

Northfield School of Arts and Technology envisions a learning community that encourages and assists students to:

·       Express themselves artistically

·       Use technology responsibly, creatively, and with innovation

·       Develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

·       Construct knowledge and meaning for themselves

·       Understand and strive for wellness of their whole person

·       Recognize and act upon their responsibilities as local citizens within our global context

·         Achieve proficiency in project-based learning

We hope you all can join us for our Community Meeting on February 7 at 7:00!  We look forward to hearing your perspectives and great ideas!

Sincerely,

Tammy Prichard

Board Chair