ACTION ITEMS
According to Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.335, subdivision 1, the commissioners of the departments of health and education have developed a model plan to require school districts and charter schools to accurately and efficiently test for lead in school drinking water. This plan, to the extent possible, is based on standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Please reference the link below for updates to the 3Ts (previously Training, Testing and Telling, now Training, Testing, and Taking Action). EPA is now recommending a two step sampling protocol, with step one being a 250 milliliter (mL) first-draw sample to identify potential lead in the fixture and step two (if step one is high) being a 250-mL flush sample (after a 30 second flush) to identify lead in the plumbing behind the fixture. Both samples should be taken after an eight to 18-hour stagnation period. The previous 20 parts per billion (ppb) action level is not included in this version. The current reducing lead in drinking water model plan will be revised to reflect EPA 3Ts updates.
EPA has scheduled webinars on the revised 3Ts for Thursday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 31, both from 1-2:30 p.m. CDT.
Visit the EPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities webpage for the registration links.
For questions regarding health effects, sampling procedures, protocols or other technical assistance, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health at health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us or 651-201-4700 (corrected phone number).
For questions regarding funding Long-Term Facilities Maintenance, please contact the Minnesota Department of Education at mde.funding@state.mn.us or 651-582-8779.
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The North Star accountability system includes, among other indicators, measures of consistent attendance and graduation rates. It is important that districts take the opportunity now to ensure student data from the 2017-18 school year is properly reported so attendance and graduation rates are accurate.
Final year end MARSS files are due to the Minnesota Department of Education by Thursday, November 15. Read Finalizing 2017-18 Attendance and Graduation Data overview on reviewing and correcting MARSS data.
If you have any questions on reporting data in MARSS, contact marss@state.mn.us. If you have questions about the North Star accountability system, contact mde.essa@state.mn.us.
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Many things make your district and school great, and we want to help highlight your strengths on the Minnesota Report Card. The website currently displays a variety of data on each district or school in Minnesota, including enrollment, graduation and proficiency rates and more. Beginning December 2018, the report card’s My School tab will include a section for schools to highlight information that may not be captured in the data.
Enter My School narratives for each of your schools into the District and School Site Verification system by October 31, 2018.
Each district and charter school has an Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) who has access to update your My School messages in the system. When displayed on the Minnesota Report Card, there will be a short disclaimer indicating that this information was submitted by the district or school. While we will review the content for typographical errors, we will rely on schools to provide information that is well-written, appropriate, accurate and relevant to the community. View an example of where the My School message will appear on the report card.
You have a maximum of 1,200 characters to describe your school (the limit includes spaces). This is your opportunity to tell your school’s story. What makes your school stand out to your students and families? What are the values of your school that tell the public how you approach providing an excellent education to all students? View examples of statements on the My School instructions.
If you have questions about the My School message, please contact us at mde.communications@state.mn.us.
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.12 to 124D.127 authorizes districts to evaluate, plan and employ the use of flexible learning year programs such as flexible all-year, extended learning year, four-quarters, or quinmester. Flexible learning year programs do not generate additional funding for districts. Note: flexible learning year programs are not for charter schools or alternative schools, as they already have the ability to establish nontraditional calendars.
Visit the Learning Time Options webpage for additional information and to access the flexible learning year application. Contact Cindy Jackson at or 651-582-8572 with questions.
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