- St. Michael-Albertville Schools
- Opportunities for Engagement
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Engaging Families and Community Partners in the Decision-Making Process
The mission of STMA Schools is to provide a safe educational environment where students develop lifelong learning skills that nurture positive attitudes and self-worth. We focus our efforts on ensuring each student is a self-directed learner, effective communicator, and responsible citizen. Our vision statement reflects our commitment to a balanced and high quality education:
STMA Schools will be the pride of our community, educating the whole student, with excellence in academics, arts, activities, and athletics through the empowerment of a world-class staff.
To live our mission and achieve our vision, STMA Schools strives to cultivate family and community connections and engage stakeholders in the decision-making process. Family and community engagement is essential to the success of our students and is a key component of our deep tradition of excellence.
We welcome and encourage families and community partners to be involved, informed, and exercise an active voice in the education of our students and the operations of the school district. We believe in a collaborative approach and value transparency and stakeholder feedback.
We invite families and community members to participate in the decision-making process by serving on our school and district advisory councils. Stakeholder feedback, input, and ideas will guide us in making sound and informed decisions that put students first. Together, our collective wisdom creates a better tomorrow for our students, our community, and all humankind.
Please see below to learn more about our advisory councils and how to get involved in the decision-making process.
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American Indian Parent Advisory Committee
Focus: Ensure members of the public and educators work together in a positive way to improve the quality of education for children in the community.
Charge:
- Provide recommendations for programming/services/activities for American Indian students and their families;
- Ensure the District’s educational programming is adequately meeting the needs of American Indian students; and
- Inform the District Advisory Committee of the district’s strengths and areas of needed improvements for American Indian students and their families.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Contact Name: Teri Johnson, Director of Teaching and Learning
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Calendar Parent Advisory Team
Focus: Academic calendars
Charge: Review and provide feedback on the first drafts of the academic calendar from the School Calendar Action Team.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: One time per calendar creation cycle
Contact Name: Kaitlin Lanners, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office
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Community Education Advisory Council
Focus: Community Engagement
Charge:
- Identify and assess community needs and interests within the STMA School District as it relates to Community Education.
- Identify available and potential resources to meet community needs and interests.
- Maximize the use of school facilities.
- Promote the Community Education Philosophy of citizen involvement and lifelong learning.
- Increase and improve communication with staff, organizations, and businesses within the STMA school district.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Four times per school year
Contact Name: Maryellen Barthel, Director of Community Education
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District Advisory Committee
Focus: Curriculum, Instruction, and Programming
Charge: The purpose of the DAC is to encourage active participation in all phases of planning for the improvement of instruction, curriculum, and programming throughout the district.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Four times per school year
Contact Name: Teri Johnson, Director of Teaching and Learning
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Facilities Advisory Team
Focus: Stakeholder engagement and problem solving for facilities
Charge:
- Engage staff, students, and stakeholders in the decision-making process for facility maintenance.
- Create a safe and user-friendly environment for all facilities.
- Gather input from the team on maintenance and new projects throughout the district.
- Inform the team about current conditions and happenings throughout the district.
- Discuss and problem solve issues relating to facility usage.
- Engage stakeholders on the lifecycle of facilities and long term planning.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Four times per year
Contact Name: Jason Bichler, Director of Buildings & Grounds
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Finance Advisory Committee
Focus: District Financials
Charge: The STMA Finance Advisory Committee is a group of community stakeholders who have financial background and expertise, focus on enrollment and financial data, and provide recommendations to the School Board on district financial matters.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Three to four times per school year
Contact Name: Kris Crocker, Director of Business Services
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High School Activities Advisory Committee
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Legislative Action Team
Focus: Legislative advocacy
Charge: Advocate locally and at the Capitol while building relationships with legislators and state leaders. Educate and engage stakeholders in the political process to build grassroots support for students and schools.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Four to six times per school year
Contact Name: Kaitlin Lanners, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office
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Parent Advisory Committee [each building]
Focus: Parent and Caregiver Engagement
Charge:
- Engage parents and caregivers in the decision-making process at the building level.
- Create an environment that supports parent and caregiver engagement and involvement in the school.
- Inform parents and caregivers about what is happening in the school.
- Gather input from parents and caregivers on new initiatives, programs, practices, etc.
- Clarify and answer questions related to the school.
- Engage parents and caregivers in solving problems and providing ongoing feedback.
- Attain a pulse of the parent and caregiver perception of the school community.
Type: School
Meeting Frequency: Elementary = once per month or once every other month. Secondary = once per trimester.
Contact Names:
John McDonald, Albertville Primary Principal
Jesse Peterson, Big Woods Elementary Principal
Jeanette Aanerud, Fieldstone Elementary Principal
Corey Lahr, St. Michael Elementary Principal
Jennie Kelly, Middle School East Principal
Andy Merfeld, Middle School West Principal
John Reeves, High School Principal
Mark Jansen, Knights' Academy Principal -
Policy Review Committee
Focus: District Policies and Administrative Procedures
Charge: The Policy Review Committee (PRC) is a multiple stakeholder group that meets to vet, research, and discuss district policies, including the adoption of new policies, on a 3-year cycle. The PRC issues recommendations to the school board for the inclusion, adoption, or exclusion of district policies.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: 4-5 times per school year
Contact Name: Douglas Birk, Director of Administrative Services
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Special Education Advisory Council
Focus: Student visibility and meaningful inclusion; Literacy and instructional best practices; Staff training and support
Charge: To ensure that members of the public and educators can work together in a positive way to improve the quality of special education for children in the community
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Three times per school year
Contact Name: Dr. Amy Larkin, Director of Special Services
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Superintendent Engagement and Advisory Team
Focus: Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Charge:
- Engage community members in the district’s decision-making process.
- Practice transparency by informing community members about what is happening in the district.
- Listen to the voices of the community.
- Gather feedback from community members on initiatives, programs, practices, etc.
- Clarify and answer questions related to the district; dispel rumors.
- Engage community members in solving problems and providing ongoing feedback.
- Attain a pulse of the community member’s perceptions of the district.
Type: Districtwide
Meeting Frequency: Two times per year
Contact Name: Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault, Superintendent