The International Falls School Board is expected to consider adopting a resolution that would direct administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions when it meets next week. 

Because Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the board will meet 5 p.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria at Falls High School.

For the last few months, the board has been holding special meetings to brainstorm ways the district could offset the more than $480,000 it will lose in state funding with the loss of about 66 students since last spring.

Potential money-saving options gathered and presented to the board by Superintendent Nordy Nelson include retirement incentive packages, reducing staff and eliminating non-revenue athletic teams. 

The board is also expected to adopt a weighted-grading policy for high school juniors and seniors. 

In October, the board agreed to implement the grading system to certain classes at the 11th and 12th grade levels beginning second semester. A weighted grading system offers an equal credit for a lower grade in a more difficult class. The system would add 0.5 points to grades A-C. 

While some students taking classes through the Post Secondary Enrollment Option Program at Rainy River Community College opposed implementation of the system, administration said it felt it would give students more of an incentive to enroll in a more rigorous class for a chance to improve grade point averages. 

Also Tuesday, the board is expected to make a decision regarding a proposed change to the school's prom policy.

The school’s current policy allows students in other schools who are juniors or seniors in high school to attend the FHS prom. Cory Netland, who serves as the board’s student representative, in November, proposed the board allow students who are out of high school to attend prom if they are up to age 19.

The board is also expected Tuesday to elect officers to serve as chairperson, vice-chairperson, clerk and treasurer as well as designate representatives of board committees.

The board will consider the following items on its personnel agenda:

  • Recognize van drivers for boys swimming.
  • Approve the hire of Shannon Keeney as an educational support professional. 
  • Approve the hire of Paul Hjelle as the head boys track coach for the 2014 season.
  • Approve the hire of Dan Zika as the assistant boys track coach for the 2014 season.
  • Approve the hire of Sheryl Hendrickson as the assistant girls track coach for the 2014 season. 
  • Approve the hire of Kevin Gordon as the head girls softball coach for the 2014 season.
  • Approve the hire of Katie Hamers as the assistant girls softball coach for the 2014 season.
  • Approve the hire of Trever Estabrooks as a full-time custodian.
  • Approve the hire of Jake Ruelle as a full-time equivalent custodian.