The International Falls School District is expected to approve Monday continuing the practice of “early release” Wednesdays for the 2015-16 school year.

The Falls School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday in the cafeteria at Falls High School. Superintendent Kevin Grover said he can't say for sure, but his “hunch” is that he will recommend to the board continuing the early release program on Wednesdays for the next school year.

“We don't have the data to see if it's helping with testing, that's just now starting to come in,” Grover said. “But we have to include it in the calendar to get it out there for next year.”

The program involves students being released early on Wednesdays during the school year in order for teachers to have extra time to get together for discussions, evaluations or training, Grover said.

“We've been able to do a lot of positive things,” Grover said. “It's a common time where we can focus on specific things and accomplish different goals.”

Even if there were positive test scores available, Grover said it's extremely difficult to prove they would be a result of the early release program.

“Even with having the data, it would be tough to prove the impact,” Grover said. “But I'm still going to speak in favor of the things it's allowed us to do.”

Grover acknowledged the strain the program puts on parents, and the incovenience it causes them. But, he said, he hasn't fielded many complaints on the issue, though board members could bring up feedback they've gotten from parents.

Also Monday, Grover will update the board on a Minnesota School Board Association training session he recently attended in Bemidji. The session focused on open meeting laws, and he'll share with the board information on the topic, and discuss what he learned, he said.

“We have three new board members who may have questions on open meeting regulations,” Grover said. “So we'll discuss the information and let people ask any questions they may have.”

Grover, along with school principals Melissa Tate and Tim Everson, will also offer their monthly reports to the board.

Also Monday, the board is expected to:

  • Receive a report on a MSBA survey.
  • Adopt a resolution directing the administration to post and recommend a candidate for maintenance/transportation director.
  • Approve the 2015-16 school calendar.
  • Receive a draft copy of the 2015-16 facility plan for adoption in April.
  • Accept the resignation due to retirement of Janet Underdahl as an educational support professional.
  • Approve the hire of Heather Swanson as a part-time educational support professional.
  • Accept the resignation of Kristine Morgan as a part-time educational support professional.
  • Approve the hire of Kristine Morgan as a full-time educational support professional.

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