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Superintendent: district progressing on K–5 literacy and hopes for state supplemental funding
Summary
The superintendent reported on a midwinter conference, said the district is advancing K–5 literacy work and professional learning communities, noted possible supplemental state funding to offset earlier zero per-pupil support, and summarized staff PD that included safety and crisis-intervention training.
The Dowagiac Union School District superintendent told the board that the district’s work on K–5 literacy and professional learning communities is already underway and was reinforced at a recent midwinter conference in Grand Rapids. He said the conference challenged superintendents to define a future vision for teaching and learning; the district’s existing literacy and professional development plans, he said, put it “ahead of that work.”
On state finance, the superintendent reported that revenue estimates at the state level have improved since the fall and that lawmakers were discussing a potential supplemental package to return money to districts after a year in which most districts received zero new per-pupil funding. He said one-time payments had already been distributed but that any supplemental package and its amount were uncertain and would likely be decided in the spring.
The superintendent also discussed an expected 3% MIERS reimbursement that has not yet been delivered and which the district expects might arrive in the February state aid distribution; administration will determine how best to get funds to staff once they arrive. He relayed that an insurance-related measure (referred to as PA 152 in the discussion) had passed both chambers and was on the governor’s desk, but rumor indicated it might not be signed and therefore might not increase district insurance costs.
On professional development the superintendent credited Dr. Dunn for organizing a PD day emphasizing elementary literacy and secondary safety training. Training highlights included vendor reviews of instructional materials, tourniquet training led by Deputy Chief Kevin Roman, and crisis prevention and intervention sessions to reduce the risk of escalation in student incidents.
What happens next: The administration said it will return with a literacy recommendation (anticipated by March) and will monitor state budget actions for any supplemental funding; the district will prepare plans to distribute any MIERS reimbursement to employees.
