SCHOOL DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS LONG-TERM PLANNING
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SCHOOL DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS
LONG-TERM PLANNING
Public Forum 2018
(Held in Accordance with N.D.C.C. 15.1-07-26)
GRAND FORKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Grand Forks Public School District #1
Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School District #140
PARTICIPANT BOOKLET # 1
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Table of Contents
Background on Public Forums ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Guiding Philosophy, Mission Statement, & Vision Statement ---------------------------------------------------- 2
Strategic Plan Addendum 2017-2018 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-4
School Organizational Pattern ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5-6
Enrollment History Graphs & Calculations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Enrollment History & Projections Graph --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Enrollment Report – September 2017---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Academic & Extracurricular Programs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-11
District Awards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-14
Instructional & Administrative Staffing-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Facility Needs & Utilization --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
District Tax Levies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
District Budget----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18-19
Grand Forks PSD #1 School Board Directory---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Grand Forks Air Force Base PSD #140 School Board Directory ---------------------------------------------- 20
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Background on Public Forums
The 2003 Legislature enacted a new law requiring school districts to hold a public forum between January
and June of each even-numbered year. The purpose for the forum is the review of local demographic trends
and how they may affect each school district's current practices.
Grand Forks Public School District #1 and Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School District #140 held these
legally required public forums in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Prior to this state mandate, the
districts have had a practice of utilizing public forums to gain input on challenges and potential change
initiatives. Topics of these forums have included Goals 2000 initiatives, flood reconstruction, middle school
configuration, attendance area boundary line considerations, demographic trends, reconfiguration of Air
Base schools, the expansion of kindergarten to a full day schedule, high school study, and the Demographic
Task Force recommendations. Public forums provide invaluable insights to the two school boards for their
planning activities.
Following is the North Dakota law that governs local school district public forums:
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 1 of 20
Guiding Philosophy, Mission Statement, & Vision Statement
Guiding Philosophy
The guiding philosophy of Grand Forks Public Schools is continuous improvement.
Mission Statement
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Vision Statement
Grand Forks Public Schools will be a place where all stakeholders collaborate to achieve
academic and co-curricular excellence, providing an environment which encourages
productivity, diversity, and global awareness.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 2 of 20
Strategic Plan Addendum 2017-2018
PRIORITY AREA 1: ADDRESS STUDENT ENROLLMENT DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES.
Goal 1. Develop a comprehensive demographic and geographic database for use in district-level decision
making.
Strategies:
■ Complete an analysis of enrollments of all of the districts’ schools for the current school year.
■ Develop a five-year projected enrollment report for all of the districts’ current schools.
■ Review the current pattern of in-district transfer and the impact on each of the districts’ schools.
■ Analyze current free and reduced percentage data for each of the districts’ schools.
■ Complete a school capacity report for each of the districts’ schools (include specialists and programs
in capacity calculations.)
■ Using the District Demographic Report, analyze city and school districts’ future population projections
and community residential growth and decline geographic patterns in an effort to balance attendance
and special services programs.
Goal 2. Develop a plan to influence state policy to support student
enrollment growth.
Strategy:
■ Develop a legislative agenda in concert with other school districts
and education organizations.
Goal 3. Complete draft of GFPS Facilities Assessment and Planning Report.
Strategy:
■ Provide input to JLG Architects.
■ Determine resources and develop plan to meet priority needs.
Goal 4. Gather public input on GFPS Facilities Assessment and Planning
Report.
Strategy:
■ Conduct public forum.
PRIORITY AREA 2: EMPHASIZE 21ST CENTURY INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES WHICH
FOSTER STUDENT ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT.
Goal 1: Identify effective instructional practices for multiple stakeholders’ awareness and understanding.
Strategies:
■ Provide information documents to multiple stakeholders.
■ Stakeholders use Marzano instructional language as per the implementation of the Marzano Teacher
Evaluation Framework.
■ Create a 6-12 structure/committee that reviews homework and grading practices.
■ Provide professional development for administrative and instructional staff.
■ Implement project-based learning in applicable curricular areas and at the appropriate educational
level.
■ Align technology tools to enhance the teaching and learning process.
■ Continue to update and improve the 1:1 Student Personal Digital Device Project that includes a
funding mechanism of support.
■ Outline clear student technology learning expectations at elementary level.
Goal 2: Establish an “Innovations Committee” that responds to the Governor’s Innovation Summit.
Strategy:
■ Invite members to serve on the committee that represents K-12 and higher education.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 3 of 20
Goal 3: Align under a unified philosophy Technology Department and CIAPD Department deliverables and/or
job responsibilities.
Strategies:
■ Collaboration between Director of Technology, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and
Professional Development, and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning.
Goal 4: Create and sustain a budget that promotes ongoing curricula review in all content areas as opposed
to engaging in the seven-year cycle concept.
Strategies:
■ Review and consider revising the Grand Forks School Board Curriculum Review Policy.
Goal 5: Continue to identify and work to create and enact a comprehensive, systemic plan to systematically
address achievement gaps.
Strategies:
■ Use the District MTSS-A Committee to plan for and evaluate the implementation plan for intervention
courses.
■ Increase the number of AP courses offered at the high school level.
■ Establish a Curriculum Pathways Committee that addresses student acceleration at the elementary,
middle, and high school levels.
Goal 6: Identify systematic strategies to work with students with moderate-to-severe medical health issues.
Strategy:
■ Use the newly-formed District MTSS-B (Behavior) Committee to provide oversight and professional
development for applicable employees.
PRIORITY AREA 3: PROMOTE PRACTICES WHICH ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGH-QUALITY
STAFF.
Goal 1: Continue to refine the systemic and systematic process for the recruitment and selection of staff.
Strategies:
■ Review the timelines for posting employment opportunities
in an effort to retain Resident Teachers and to attract a
strong pool of candidates.
■ Continue to refine the on-line standardized exit interview
for employees leaving the district.
Goal 2: Develop and sustain a staff evaluation model that promotes
effectiveness.
Strategies:
■ Select and implement teacher evaluation model.
■ Select and implement principal evaluation model.
■ Provide professional development for staff.
PRIORITY AREA 4: ENHANCE SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS.
Goal 1: Emphasize the utilization of technology tools.
Strategies:
■ Provide professional development for Connect c5i (updated mass notification system) version for
leadership and staff.
■ Complete the development and implementation of ParentLink and Sociability features of the
integrated Blackboard system.
■ Analyze effectiveness of TV15 and determine next steps for live streaming content.
Goal 2: Analyze school district communication efforts.
Strategies:
■ Research and select a process to complete a comprehensive communications audit.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 4 of 20
School Organizational Pattern
Neighborhood Elementary Schools
* Small Schools ranging from 150 to 500 students
* Small Class Sizes in K-3
* Extended Day (MASH, ENCORE)
* Extended Year (10th Month, Summer School)* Standards-referenced curriculum
Costs are driven by smaller schools and smaller classes:
The district must employ 10+ teachers to reduce class size by one student across all elementary
classrooms.
An elementary building has basic operational costs of at least $500,000 per year.
Ben Franklin Elementary School
1016 South 20th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Century Elementary School
3351 17th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Discovery Elementary School
3300 43rd Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
J. Nelson Kelly Elementary School
3000 Cherry Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Lake Agassiz Elementary School
605 Stanford Road, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
1100 13th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phoenix Elementary School
351 4th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School (K-8)
1422 Louisiana Street, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204
Viking Elementary School
809 22nd Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
West Elementary School
615 North 25th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Wilder Elementary School
1009 North 3rd Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Winship Elementary School
1412 5th Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 5 of 20
Carnegie Middle Schools
* Building Sizes of 750 or less
* Staff & students organized in teams by grade level for
core classes with teams of 100 students or less
working with a five-teacher team
* Exploratory experiences offered in addition to core
classes
* Daily staff team planning
- Review needs of all students
- Curriculum project planning
- Professional Development experiences
- Parent contacts
Costs are influenced by smaller schools, class size, and
team planning.
The district employs 12+ teachers to provide staff needed to cover team planning and smaller
teams.
Each middle school experiences basic operational costs of at least $550,000 annually.
Elroy H. Schroeder Middle School - 800 32nd Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
South Middle School - 1999 47th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School (K-8) - 1422 Louisiana Street, Grand Forks AFB, ND
58204
Valley Middle School - 2100 5th Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Comprehensive High Schools
* Personalization is the challenge. It is addressed through:
- Rich array of curriculum offerings
- Career counseling, including Job Shadowing
- Alternative scheduling options
- Alternative school site
- Extracurricular offerings
Costs are affected by the philosophy of not limiting students to
a maximum number of credits they can take.
It is estimated the district employs 25 additional staff
members over the number needed if students were
only permitted access to the number of credits
required to graduate.
Central High School - 115 North 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Community High School - 500 Stanford Road, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Red River High School - 2211 17th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Attendance Areas
All district elementary, middle, and high schools have designated attendance areas. Boundary maps for each
current attendance area and the school board approved 2015-2016 attendance areas can be found at
www.gfschools.org > Registration > Boundary Line Maps.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 6 of 20
Enrollment History Graphs & Calculations
Peak Enrollment (1970): 12,732 Recent Peak Enrollment (1999): 8,566
Lowest Recent Enrollment (2010): 6,752 Lowest Recent Enrollment (2010): 6.752
-5,980 -1,814
-46.965% -21.175%
Recent Peak Enrollment (1995): 1,574
Lowest Recent Enrollment (2016): 280
-1,294
-82.21%
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 7 of 20
Enrollment History & Projections
Current Enrollment 7,470 Current Enrollment 7,470
3-Year Projected Enrollment (2020-21) 7,491 4-Year Projected Enrollment (2021-22) 7,554
+ 21 + 84
+ .28% + 1.12%
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 8 of 20Enrollment Report – September 2017
Detailed demographic information is
found on the district’s website using
the following navigation:
www.gfschools.org > District >
School Board > Strategic Planning
Documents >
Demographics/Enrollments Reports
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 9 of 20Academic & Extracurricular Programs
► Maintaining lower Class Size has been a major staffing initiative for the school board for the last
decade.
► Curriculum is reviewed annually. New curriculum and supplemental materials are implemented
following an adoption cycle. Below is a tentative schedule subject to available funding:
Year Elementary Implementation Secondary Implementation
2016-17 Guidance Guidance
Counseling Phase 3 Counseling Phase 3
K-5 Literacy Phase I
2017-18 K-5 Literacy Phase 2 Middle School Math Phase I
2018-19 K-5 Literacy Phase 3 Middle School Math Phase 2
Physical Education Physical Education
2019-20 K-5 Literacy Phase 4 High School Math
K-5 Science Phase 1 6-12 Science Phase 1
K-5 Social Studies 6-12 Social Studies
2020-21 K-5 Science Phase 2 6-12 Science Phase 2
► The district maintains a wide range of Student Performance Data and Information and
publishes an annual report. This report can be found at www.gfschools.org.
► Approximately $2.36 million in local funds will be invested in
Technology this year (i.e., operations, infrastructure,
network, new computers, replacement computers, supplies
and support.)
2,942 Personal Student Learning Devices –
Netbooks and Chromebooks – Grades 4-8
3,858 Total number of student computers (i.e., carts,
labs, Kindergarten iPad project, High School
Chromebook, High School curriculum adoption
devices)
6,800 Total number of student computers
Academic Activities
Students are provided the opportunity to participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities.
Art Club Choral Citizen Bee
Class Committees / Officers Close-Up Debate
Drama FBLA / DECA / SkillsUSA; FCCLA / TSA French Club
German Club JROTC Latin Club
Spanish Club Instrumental Junior Educators of Tomorrow (JET)
Key Club Knowledge Master Drumline
Math Club Math Track National Honor Society
National Technical Honor Society Orchestra Pep Band
Building Bridges Renaissance Program School Newspaper / Yearbook
Science Olympiad Speech Spirit Club
Student Council Student Congress Thespians / Theater Guild
TV15 Student of the Month / Quarter Web Team
Athletic Activities
Fall Winter Spring
Girls’ Volleyball Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Tennis
Girls’ Swimming & Diving Girls’ Basketball Girls’ Soccer
Girls’ Golf Boys’ Swimming & Diving Boys’ Golf
Girls’ Cross Country Boys’ Hockey Girls’ Track & FIeld
Football Girls’ Hockey Boys’ Track & Field
Boys’ Tennis Girls’ Gymnastics Baseball
Boys’ Soccer Wrestling Softball
Boys’ Cross Country Middle School Intramural Sports Middle School Intramurals
Cheerleading Cheerleading Boys’ Trapshooting (Club Sport)
Middle School Intramurals Girls’ Figure Skating (Club sport) Girls’ Trapshooting (Club sport)
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 11 of 20District Awards
District Awards:
100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance - 2013 (6th year designation)
AdvancED District Accreditation – 2010, 2015
Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants - 2017 (15th year designation)
Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant Recipient by the U.S. Department of Education - 2008
Community Partner Award by the Center for Community Engagement - 2010
District of Excellence by the School Nutrition Association - 2011
District of the Year by the School Nutrition Association - 2010-2011
Exemplary Career Guidance and Counseling Program Award by the U.S. Department of Education - 2000
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Honor Unit with Distinction
National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Award by the National Assembly of State Art Agencies - 2017
National Schools of Character Semifinalist by the Character Education Partnership - 2002
National Speech and Debate Association – 2014 100 Club member
North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education Director’s Award of Excellence - award winners in various
categories - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts – 1999, 2003
Public Health Champion Award by Grand Forks Public Health - 2010
U.S. Department of Agriculture HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Award of Distinction (2011) and Gold Award (2013)
Building-Level Awards:
American Institute of Architects North Dakota Chapter Test of Time Award (2010), Design Award (2013), and Honor
Award (2014)
American School Counselor Association RAMP School with Distinction Award - J. Nelson Kelly Elementary School (2017)
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Title I Distinguished School awards
Special Olympics North Dakota Outstanding School Award - 2011, 2014
United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Award Recognition – 2002, 2005
Lake Agassiz Reading Council - Celebrate Literacy Award – 2011, 2012 - building
Administrator Awards:
Association of School Business Officials International Bridges to the Future Scholarship Recipient - 2013
National Association of Elementary School Principals North Dakota Elementary Distinguished Principal of the Year - 2002,
2005
North Dakota Association for Career and Technical
Education Administrator of the Year - 2015
North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals
2012 Bell Ringer Award
Service to Children Award – 2009, 2012, 2015
2015 Quarter Century Award
North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals:
Academic All-State Team Members - 2013, 2015
Assistant Principal of the Year - 2000, 2002, 2005
Principal of the Year - 2003
North Dakota Association of School Administrators:
North Dakota Superintendent of the Year At Large -
2013
Northeast Region Superintendent of the Year - 2014
North Dakota Superintendent of the Year - 2015
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Assistant Principal of the Year - 2002
North Dakota Interscholastic Administrators Association:
Class A East Region Athletic Administrator of the Year - 2010
Class A Athletic Administrator of the Year - 2010
Project Lead The Way Administrator of the Year for North Dakota - 2015
Educator Awards:
Arc Upper Valley Teacher of the Year - 2010
Cisco Networking Academy ‘4R’ Award in the Relevance Category - 2008
Code.org Hour of Code Grant Recipient - 2014
Global Friends Coalition Tutor of the Year - 2012
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 12 of 20 National High School Athletic Coaches Association:
National Tennis Coach of the Year Finalist - 2009
National Volleyball Coach of the Year Finalist - 2009
National Volleyball Coach of the Year - 2014
North Dakota American Choral Directors Association Choral Director of the Year - 2010, 2013
North Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education:
New Teacher of the Year - Trades and Industry Category - 2015
New Teacher of the Year - 2017
Teacher of the Year - 2015
North Dakota Association of Technology Leaders Techie Teacher Award - 2013
North Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning Educator of the Year - 2011
North Dakota Counseling Association:
Friend of Counseling - 2015
Outstanding School Counselor - 2012, 2015
North Dakota Council of Teachers of English Teacher of the Year -
2014, 2017
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction:
Outstanding Title I Educator - 2002
Teacher of the Year Finalist - 2011
North Dakota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association
Teacher of the Year - 2015
North Dakota High School Coaches Association - numerous Coach
of the Year awards in numerous sports
North Dakota Music Educators Association Music Educator of the
Year - 2014-2015
North Dakota Newspaper Association Newspapers in Education
Teacher of the Year - 2013, 2015, 2016
Project Lead The Way Engineering Teacher of the Year for North
Dakota - 2015
Sam’s Club Teacher of the Month - 2012, 2013
Siemens Award for Advanced Placement North Dakota Teacher Award - 2009, 2010
The Milken Family Foundation Milken Educator Award - 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2004
United States Department of Education American Stars of Teaching Award - 2008
University of South Dakota Reading Recovery Training Center Outstanding Reading Recovery Teacher - 2009
Veterans of Foreign Wars Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year - 2012-2013
LearnZillion - Dream Team members – 2013, 2015 - teachers
Student and Student-Group Awards:
City of Grand Forks “If I was Mayor for the Day” Essay Winner - 2015
Commission on Presidential Scholars - numerous district and state U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates and semifinalists
DECA International Career Development Conference 3 rd place in Principles of Marketing category - 2015
Doodle4Google North Dakota award winner - 2012
Eastern Dakota Conference All-EDC Team Members in numerous sports
National Merit Scholarship Corporation - numerous scholarship semifinalists, finalists, and winners
Gatorade North Dakota Baseball Player of the Year
Gatorade North Dakota Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Foreign Language Association of North Dakota (FLAND) Pro Lingua Award Winner - 2015
GRAMMY Foundation - Signature School semifinalist and finalist
HOSA Future Health Professional Conference - numerous 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners is several categories - 2015
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 4th place Environmental Sciences Grand Award winner - 2013
Intel Science Talent Search - 6th and 7th place award winners - 2007, 2010
Jump Rope for Heart award winner for accomplishments in fundraising - 2013
North Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning Student of the Year and Outstanding Leadership and Service awards
recipients
National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) – 2015 Award for Aspirations in Computing
National Education Association (NEA) and the NEA Foundation:
2010 Books Across America library award winner
2011 Student Achievement Grant recipient
National Technical Honor Society – 2015 Jon H. Poteat Scholarship winner
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 13 of 20 North Dakota American Choral Directors Association:
2009 State Convention Ensemble
2012 Showcase Choir
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction:
Caught in the Act Award - 2002-2003
Student Cabinet Member - 2015
North Dakota Department of Transportation Keep North Dakota Clean Billboard Contest award winners
North Dakota Geographic Bee State Winner
North Dakota High School Activities Association - Distinguished Student, Team Scholar, and Superior Acting award
winners, Debate quarterfinalists and medalists, Speech place winners, Athlete of the Year winners, and several team
sport championships
North Dakota High School Coaches Association - All-Tournament, All-Region, and All-State Team Members, Outstanding
Senior Athlete Nominees and Athletes of the Year, and Hall of Fame Inductees in numerous sports
North Dakota Juried Student Art Show - award winners in numerous categories
North Dakota MathCounts State Competition Champion - 2011
North Dakota National Band Association Distinguished Service award winner - 2015
North Dakota Northeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair - Junior and Senior Division Reserve Champions - 2015
North Dakota State Science and Engineering Fair - Northeast Region Junior and Senior Division award winners
President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation Award - 2016
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) - 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2015
Prudential Spirit of Community Award - 2009, 2011, 2013
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (North Dakota Writing Region) - Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention award
winners
Scholastic Summer Challenge recipient of books awarded by North Dakota First Lady Betsy Dalrymple - 2011
Tolerance Minnesota 2009 Holocaust Essay Contest winner
U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Art Competition - 2009 winner
United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) – 2014 delegate
Valley Memorial Homes Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service for the Helping Hands Program - 2007
Voya Financial, Inc. Unsung Heroes Grant - 2014 award winner
North Dakota Long Term Care Association Youth Group of the Year - 2015
WiLL Pacesetter - 2009 recipient
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 14 of 20Instructional & Administrative Staffing
Major factors influencing the level of staffing include the district’s long-term efforts to lower class sizes, all-
day kindergarten, the expanded number of grant-funded programs such as ENCORE, and the growth in size
of existing grant-funded programs such as Head Start and Every Student Succeeds Act, and the continued
levels of service in Special Education. Emphasis is given to class size, curriculum, staff qualifications, and
student achievement.
The Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base School Districts are justifiably proud of their faculty. A
history of outstanding teachers, a current group who continue that tradition, and the presence of the
University of North Dakota in our city all combine to ensure that our schools are places where excellent
teaching and learning take place.
The Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base School Districts work together in a unique arrangement to
serve the 7,470 students who attend schools in the two communities. The schools of the two districts expect
and receive strong performance from the students. This is possible because of a rich curriculum design led
by highly qualified teachers. Parent and community support is strong and very instrumental in the success of
the schools. Approximately 1,519 full- and part-time people are employed including approximately 759
certified staff that includes teachers, specialists, and counselors and approximately 724 support and 36
administrative staff. The fact that staff members obtain advanced degrees indicates that they are interested
in updating their skills and remaining in the forefront of program changes.
Very limited turnover indicates that most teachers enjoy teaching here and want to spend their entire
careers in the Grand Forks Public Schools.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 15 of 20Facility Needs & Utilization
Two high schools, grades 9-12, an alternative high school, four middle schools, grades 6-8, twelve
elementary schools, and one Head Start program comprise the arrangement of the schools. Nathan F.
Twining Elementary and Middle School, which includes grades K-8, a preschool special needs program, and
a Head Start program, is located on the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School,
which is also located on the GFAFB, was closed in the spring of 2014. Grand Forks Air Force Base students
attend Grand Forks Central High School for grades 9-12.
Facilities in the Grand Forks Public School District are well maintained and a source of community pride.
Over the years, the public approved a major addition and renovation at Central High School ($13,500,000), a
major addition and renovation at Red River High School ($15,000,000) and a new elementary school
(Century) at $7,000,000.
The 1997 flooding problems created an opportunity to build a new elementary school (Phoenix) and a new
middle school (South). Major additions and remodeling were completed at Schroeder Middle School, Valley
Middle School, Wilder Elementary, Lewis & Clark Elementary, West Elementary, and Viking Elementary.
Other schools received updated heating and ventilation systems and new electrical systems.
Eielson and Twining Schools at the GFAFB have received over $8,000,000 of upgrades in past years.
Lake Agassiz underwent a major renovation and
addition, which included a new gym, media center,
music room, and computer lab.
Post-flood projects were completed in the summer of
2011 with roof and/or window projects at Central,
Schroeder, Valley, Ben Franklin, Kelly, Lewis & Clark,
and Wilder. These projects were funded using federal
stimulus funds.
During the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years, the
following projects were completed: Red River High
School Music & Theater Arts Project ($11,035,618),
Central High School Theater Remodel, Performing Arts
Addition, and Gymnasium Addition ($12,211,603) and
Cushman Track and Field Project ($2,564,610). The projects followed the directives from a Music/Theater
Arts Needs Assessment, an Organizational Study, and the 2010 Public Forum. These projects completed
(along with the roof and window projects) the facilities plan that was established after the 1997 flood, and
brought more equity to the high schools. These projects have been completed without raising the current
total mill levy.
Construction began in the spring of 2014 on a new elementary school in south Grand Forks. Discovery
Elementary School opened on schedule on August 31, 2015, with a first-day enrollment of 366. Total cost of
constructing and furnishing the school was $15.5M. The school was built large enough to eventually
accommodate over 700 students. The project was financed by a state school construction loan with an
interest rate of 1.95%.
The Board has also made a commitment to acquiring land and developing additional parking spaces for
Grand Forks Central High School students. One additional parking lot was completed and was made
available for use beginning 2013-2014. An additional parking lot located across University Drive from the
school on North 5th Street could provide approximately 40 parking spaces.
Since 2015, the school board, via the district’s strategic plan, has engaged a process to develop a short-range
facility priority list and to engage an architectural firm to conduct a facility assessment and assist in the
development of a district long-range master facility plan.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 16 of 20District Tax Levies
The proper way to compare mill levies is by peer group. This means comparing schools in other communities,
counties in other communities, cities in other communities, and park districts in other communities. Each entity of
local government has unique circumstances that control and affect its taxing capacity. For example, cities may
charge for services such as garbage, sidewalks, and engineering, while park districts charge participation fees for
youth hockey or adult basketball. At the same time, laws provide direction and limits on what can be levied by the
individual entities. This means that the same guidelines apply to the cities but there are different guidelines that
apply to school districts.
2017 Tax Levies - Three Largest North Dakota Cities
Schools County City Park Other Total Levy
Bismarck 103.92 36.66 57.01 34.31 1.00 232.90
Fargo 154.13 44.71 51.00 27.80 7.85 285.49
Grand Forks 97.36 77.14 98.79 39.17 2.91 315.37
Percent of Total Property Tax to Each Entity
Schools County City Park Other Total Levy
Bismarck 44.62% 15.74% 24.48% 14.73% .43% 100%
Fargo 53.99% 15.66% 17.86% 9.74% 2.75% 100%
Grand Forks 30.87% 24.46% 31.33% 12.42% .92% 100%
When taxable valuation has increased in the past,
the District reduced the mill levy.
Mill Levy History
Taxable Valuation Total Tax Levy Change
(1 Mill) (in Mills) in Mill Levy
97-98 $69,842 251.01 no change
98-99 $74,632 251.01 no change
99-00 $80,110 241.01 ↓10.0 mills
00-01 $85,358 241.34 +.3 mills
01-02 $87,659 241.50 +.2 mills
02-03 $90,992 241.03 ↓.47 mills
03-04 $96,520 240.82 ↓ .21 mills
04-05 $104,461 237.12 ↓ 3.7 mills
05-06 $116,002 230.11 ↓ 7.01 mills
06-07 $127,791 224.11 ↓ 6.0 mills
07-08 $137,167 218.66 ↓ 5.45 mills
08-09 $144,100 214.35 ↓ 4.31 mills
09-10 $149,239 139.35 ↓ 75.0 mills*
10-11 $153,540 139.35 no change
11-12 $157,888 139.35 no change
12-13 $163,127 139.14 ↓ 0.21 mills
13-14 $172,053 105.14 ↓ 34.0 mills**
14-15 $189,991 97.36 ↓ 7.78 mills
15-16 $204,466 97.36 no change
16-17 $221,769 97.36 no change
17-18 $232,965 97.36 no change
*Denotes 75-mill buy-down from the North Dakota Legislature.
**Denotes 50-mill buy-down from the North Dakota Legislature.
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 17 of 20District Budget
District Budgetary Comparison Schedule for the General Fund
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017
Revenues
Property Taxes $ 19,942,259 $ 20,321,829 $ 15,589,438 $ 15,168,741 $ 16,051,823 $ 17,448,095
Payments in Lieu of Taxes $ 1,165,488 $ 601,495 $ 561,309 $ 621,045
Other Local Sources $ 4,090,323 $ 7,319,927 $ 433,924 $ 603,644 $ 557,964 $ 708,945
Intergovernmental $ 44,020,856 $ 45,086,723 $ 66,735,440 $ 70,563,790 $ 73,737,367 $ 75,899,878
Federal Sources $ 9,446,412 $ 9,328,890 $ - $ -
Charges for Services $ 4,710,510 $ 4,622,056 $ 4,613,156 $ 5,223,248
Contributions and Donations $ 55,046 $ 28,708 $ 35,174 $ 32,273
Investment Income $ - $ - $ 99,307 $ 112,784 $ 133,523 $ 60,712
Other Income $ 263,247 $ 302,801 $ -
Total Revenues $ 77,763,097 $ 82,360,170 $ 88,789,153 $ 91,701,218 $ 95,690,316 $ 99,994,196
Expenditures
Instruction:
Pupil and Instructional Staff Services $ 41,084,375 $ 42,405,820 $ 37,775,654 $ 40,157,212 $ 44,726,025 $ 45,366,112
Special Education $ 11,227,181 $ 11,552,273 $ 10,819,613 $ 11,943,227 $ 13,224,383 $ 14,712,443
Career Technical Education $ 3,281,682 $ 3,627,264 $ 3,421,292 $ 3,335,623 $ 3,723,424 $ 4,213,030
Head Start $ 2,217,491 $ 2,819,641 $ 1,996,049 $ 1,560,373 $ 1,327,143 $ 1,339,456
Total Instruction $ 57,810,729 $ 60,404,998 $ 54,012,608 $ 56,996,435 $ 63,000,975 $ 65,631,041
Support Services:
Pupil & Instructional Staff Services $ 3,884,870 $ 4,131,443 $ 6,063,895 $ 7,297,435 $ 7,482,561 $ 9,011,427
Head Start $ 237,386 $ 276,363 $ 284,324 $ 318,973 $ 347,876
Special Education $ 950,143 $ 2,672,288 $ 2,331,982 $ 2,387,738 $ 2,324,796
Career Technical Education $ 87,426 $ 392,873 $ 490,102 $ 505,869 $ 524,956
General Administrative Services $ 1,541,480 $ 1,565,237 $ 1,182,506 $ 1,155,717 $ 1,177,423 $ 1,204,145
School Administrative Services $ 4,384,085 $ 4,382,214 $ 4,531,746 $ 4,831,407 $ 5,149,861 $ 5,345,570
Business Services $ 1,336,719 $ 823,974 $ 1,791,738 $ 1,781,528 $ 1,869,413 $ 1,933,266
Operations & Maintenance $ 7,900,753 $ 8,111,913 $ 7,575,605 $ 7,464,882 $ 7,744,754 $ 7,996,368
Pupil Transportation Services $ 697,085 $ 662,557 $ 793,698 $ 1,144,204 $ 1,190,731 $ 1,297,065
Extracurricular $ 2,682,731 $ 2,773,960 $ 2,598,838 $ 2,781,605 $ 3,001,403 $ 3,031,302
Food Services $ - $ - $ 14,804 $ 12,645 $ 14,298 $ 10,378
Community Services $ 188,996 $ 168,147 $ 257,747 $ 365,127 $ 371,170 $ 530,101
Capital Outlay $ 1,204,722 $ 1,841,684 $ 1,148,869 $ 1,882,918 $ 2,182,810 $ 2,404,885
Debt Service:
Principal $ 226,566 $ 228,455 $ 230,418 $ 232,864 $ 12,288 $ 107,516
Interest $ 47,576 $ 6,750 $ 4,786 $ - $ - $ -
Total Support Services $ 24,095,583 $ 25,971,289 $ 29,536,174 $ 32,056,740 $ 33,409,292 $ 36,069,651
Total Expenditures $ 81,906,312 $ 86,376,287 $ 83,548,782 $ 89,053,175 $ 96,410,267 $ 101,700,692
Revenues Over Expenditures $ (4,143,215) $ (4,016,117) $ 5,240,371 $ 2,648,043 $ (719,951) $ (1,706,496)
Other Financing Sources (Uses)
Proceeds from Capital Lease $ 741,680 $ - $ - $ - $ 34,944 $ 704,160
Proceeds from Special Assessments $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Transfers In $ 325,000 $ 321,678 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Transfers Out $ (325,000) $ 346,678 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) $ 741,680 $ (25,000) $ - $ - $ 34,944 $ 704,160
$ -
Net Change in Fund Balances $ (3,401,535) $ (4,041,117) $ 5,240,371 $ 2,648,043 $ (685,007) $ (1,002,336)
Fund Balances, Beginning of Year $ 20,169,609 $ 16,768,074 $ 12,726,957 $ 17,896,080 $ 20,544,123 $ 19,859,116
Prior Period Adjustment $ - $ (71,248)
Fund Balances, Beginning - Restated $ - $ 12,655,709
Fund Balances, End of Year $ 16,768,074 $ 12,726,957 $ 17,896,080 $ 20,544,123 $ 19,859,116 $ 18,856,780
Fund Balance as % of Total Expend. 20.5% 14.7% 21.4% 23.1% 20.6% 18.5%
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 18 of 20For fiscal year 2016-2017, local sources constituted 24%, state aid 67%, and federal funding made up 9% of
the total revenue of $98,785,166 received by the District.
Salaries and fringe benefits accounted for 86% of total district expenses of $98,862,216 during FY16-17.
The remaining 14% of expenditures was spread among various categories ranging from supplies (2.29%), to
utilities (1.88%), to equipment and furniture (1.40%). (See graph for a list of other expenditure categories)
Percent of Total Revenue
Percent of Total Expenditures
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 19 of 20Grand Forks PSD #1 School Board Directory
Board Members Contact Information
Douglas C. Carpenter, President 701-775-6720
1250 Burbank Circle, Grand Forks ND 58201-3712 dcarpenter270@mygfschools.org
Eric Burin, Vice President
eburin010@mygfschools.org
P.O. Box 6000, Grand Forks ND 58206-6000
Katie Dachtler 218-205-5640
902 Stanford Road, Grand Forks ND 58203-2135 kdachtler200@mygfschools.org
Amber Flynn 701-740-0505
3720 Cherry Street, Q66, Grand Forks, ND 58201-7696 aflynn180@mygfschools.org
Eric Lunn 701-746-9326
96 Rivers Edge Drive, Grand Forks ND 58201-8077 elunn040@mygfschools.org
Alma Torres Pierce 701.215.3921
1428 Chestnut Street, Grand Forks ND 58201-5637 apierce100@mygfschools.org
Meggen Sande 701-330-3638
1759 Lydia Circle, Grand Forks ND 58201-5748 msande310@mygfschools.org
Cynthia H. Shabb 701-775-5004
2418 West Fallcreek Court, Grand Forks ND 58201-5255 cshabb260@mygfschools.org
Matt Spivey 701-739-0823
5702 Pinehurst Drive, Grand Forks ND 58201-2808 mspivey270@mygfschools.org
Grand Forks Air Force Base PSD #140 School Board Directory
Board Members Contact Information
Elizabeth Meihaus, President 303-917-4630
1622 Hickam Drive, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204-1215 emeihaus250@mygfschools.org
Lewis Isassi, Vice President 701-213-9348
1091 Hemlock Road, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204-4057 lisassi080@mygfschools.org
Branden Shepperd 909-618-7570
1063 Gumwood Avenue, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204-4063 bshepperd200@mygfschools.org
Cindy Thiel 520-603-7246
1610 Hickam Drive, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204-1215 cthiel270@mygfschools.org
Kevin Whitney 443-876-4676
1455 Nevada Drive, Unit A, Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204-1497 kwhitney210@mygfschools.org
Mission Statement:
Grand Forks Public Schools will provide an environment of educational excellence that
engages all learners to develop their maximum potential for community and global success.
Page 20 of 20You can also read
