The introduction of the PowerSchool Behavioral Plugin, as presented by Alex Sandal, Dean of Students, marked a key development for the district. This system is designed to align incident management processes across all K-12 schools, facilitating a uniform approach to documenting student behavior. Sandal explained that the district had transitioned from paper reports to a digital format during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the current use of PowerSchool log entries to track student interactions. This transition aims to enhance the communication between staff, administration, and families.

The new system categorizes student behaviors into three levels, each requiring different levels of intervention. Level one behaviors are considered minor and are typically managed by teachers within the classroom. These do not require administrative intervention unless they escalate. Level two behaviors necessitate immediate staff intervention and logging into PowerSchool, with notifications sent to behavior interventionists and administrators for follow-up actions. Level three encompasses serious incidents, such as substance possession, and are managed emergently, primarily by administrators.

A notable feature of the behavior management system is its ability to collect and analyze data on student behaviors, which can inform decision-making by identifying patterns related to the timing and location of incidents. This data-driven approach allows for proactive measures, such as convening house meetings at the middle school to address emerging behavior trends.

The discussion also touched upon the roles of various staff members in using the system. It was clarified that while support staff like paraprofessionals and lunchroom supervisors do not have direct access to PowerSchool, they are expected to report incidents to teachers who can log them. This ensures a comprehensive documentation of student interactions across different school environments.

Questions arose during the meeting regarding the notification process for families when a behavior is logged. Although there is no automatic notification system, the design encourages teachers and administrators to reach out to families, documenting whether contact was made. This initiative aims to foster better communication and support for students, maintaining consistent engagement between the school and families.

In addition to the discussions on behavior management, the meeting recognized the achievements of Moorhead High School’s cross-country athletes. Jackie Johnson, Sophia Johnson, and Wes Brewyard were acknowledged for their participation in the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet on November 2, with Jackie placing 27th, Sophia 49th, and Wes 115th. The coaching staff, including Isaac Lunberg, Eric Hansen, Lisa Dunigan, Justin Gul, and Corey Asfeld, were also commended for their roles in guiding the athletes.

The board further addressed several procedural updates, including the first reading of various policy updates. Notable changes involved the removal of certain policies in favor of procedural adaptations to better meet the district’s needs. Policy 103, for instance, was recommended to be transitioned from a policy to a procedure. Additionally, a new Policy 607 was proposed, integrating elements of Policy 536.

Another point of discussion was a monetary donation from Bethany Retirement Living to support student transportation for visits, amounting to $720. A motion was made to accept the donation and to express gratitude to the donor, although specific details about the benefiting students were not readily available.

Superintendent updates included the scheduling of a truth and taxation meeting on December 16, with a focus on the district’s levy, which is set to decrease by 1.28% from the previous year. This upcoming meeting will provide a detailed presentation on the levy.