Once again the Virginia School District has received the top rating for their annual school district financial audit.  The firm of  Walker, Giroux & Hahne, Ltd. recently completed the annual audit for fiscal year 2011 and gave the District an “unqualified” rating.

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                                        Virginia, MN Schools: Superintendent Search Process

                                        Staff, Community & Board Meetings • Dec. 20 & 21, 2011

 Session #4: Board (N=6) – Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 PM           

          • Vision: In five years…

           1. Innovative, challenging programs & curriculum that prepare all students for  life    

           2. Continued fiscal responsibility

           3. Strong public relations

           4. Enhanced Early Childhood programs so young students have strong skills, a strong

                foundation for learning, & are ready for Kindergarten

           5. Utilize technology efficiently to expand & enhance learning opportunities

           6. Our district is known for high expectations as well as helping all students

                 achieve success

          • Near-Term Priorities

           1. Evaluate programs & align to student needs for the education of all students

           2. Begin facilities & space improvement process as it related to

               class size,  changing curriculum &  technology; w/ community awareness &    involvement

           3. Continued fiscal responsibility in contracts & cost-consciousness

           4. Continued focus on academic excellence & achievement

           5. Improve & expand ECFE program & evaluate community needs in this area

           6. Continue to improve industrial arts opportunities for all students 

          • Desired Hard Skills

            1. Fiscal knowledge

            2. Labor negotiating experience

            3. Experience utilizing technology to enhance academic learning

            4. Facilities experience: Maintenance of older facilities & developing new

                  facilities

             5. School advocate & good communicator w/ PR skills

              6. Five years experience as a superintendent

              7. Experience collaborating with multiple districts

              8. Understanding & experience with political process in St. Paul

               9. Excellent mediator w/ conflict resolution skills

             10. Ability to initiate & see projects through to completion

              11. Experience w/ broad spectrum of educational programs

          • Desired Soft Skills

                1. Approachable, accessible, & adaptable

                2. Communicates openly with board & keeps board informed

                3. Active in the community

                 4. Trusts staff to do their jobs, but sets & models high expectations

                 5. Kind & likable, but fair, firm & consistent

                 6. Collaborative

                 7. Good communicator

                 8. Team player

                 9. Good interpersonal skills

              10. Open & willing to explore new ideas & possibilities

Virginia, MN Schools: Superintendent Search Process

Schedule of Events

1. Start & end dates for resume reviews

        • Start 1/23/12 & end 1/30/12

2. Start & end dates for e-mailed questions to quarterfinalists

        • Sent out between 1/30/12 & 2/6/12

3. e-mailed questions back, & to the board

        • Between 2/7/12 & 2/13/12

4. Start & end dates for first interviews with semi-finalists

        • Week of February 20th

5. Start & end dates for second interviews

        • Week of February 27th

6. Background check and / or psychological feedback?

        • Connected Dennis w/ PDI contact person

7. Date for final board decision re: finalist

        • March 1, 2012

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Job Title
Superintendent of Schools. The school district is seeking a full-time superintendent effective July 1, 2012.

District
Virginia, MN (65 miles north of Duluth, MN).

Location
Located in the heart of the Mesabi Range, Virginia, Minnesota has long been recognized as a leader in education and in promoting business prosperity in the area, and fondly remembered by the countless vacationers who have visited the Iron Range.  Virginia is a retail hub for the Iron Range, where popular, unique shopping venues are complemented by a wide variety of restaurants, lounges and entertainment.  The city has two lakes, numerous parks and a newly renovated 18-hole municipal golf course. (http://www.ironrange.org/communities/Virginia)

District Website

http://vmps.org

Job Requirements
Candidates must possess licensure as a Superintendent in the State of Minnesota or demonstrate their ability to secure licensure by July 1, 2012. Previous experience as a superintendent is preferred but not required.

Salary / Benefits
Competitive compensation and benefits package based upon successful candidate’s background and experience.

Application Deadline
January 20, 2012

Information
Please send cover letter, resume, license copy, and three letters of reference to:
Bruce Miles
Big River Group
PO Box 5120 • St. Cloud, MN • 56302-5120
bruce@bigrivergroup.com • (800) 500-7017

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The administration and school board would like to thank voters for their support.  We believe the results of the election affirm the fact that the Virginia School District is on the right path.  We will work hard to Continue The Success.

RESULTS OF THE 2011 ELECTION FOR REFERENDUM AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION

Precinct            Polling Place                 YES                 NO                 Total

   1                   Parkview                        368                   186                   554                  

   2                   Miners No. Room          258                   189                   447       

   3                   Columbia Apts.              208                   113                   321                  

   4                   Miners No. Room          277                   228                   505

   5                   Miners No. Room          289                   224                   513

   0880            Pike Town Hall               28                     42                     70                                             

   0915            Sandy Town Hall             33                     38                     71                                        

   1150            Wuori Town Hall             65                     74                   139                                                               

   0970            Sand Lake Chapel         104                  110                  214                                         

   0825              Mt. Iron Precinct 2         0                      0                      0

TOTALS                                               1630               1204                2834

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Year                Reading          Math             Science           Writing

2010-11               #1                  #1                   #1                       #2

2009-10               #1                  #2                   #1                      #2

2008-09               #1                  #3                   #1                      #1

2007-08               #1                  #2                   #1                      #2

2006-07               #1                  #2                   n/a                     #1

2005-06               #1                  #2                   n/a                     #3

The data used for ranking represent the combined district percentage of students proficient or passing

at grade level on the Minnesota statewide standardized tests.  The comparisons include twelve regional

 range districts and are based upon data provided by the Minnesota Department of Education website.

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Click Here for the CONTINUE THE SUCCESS Flyer

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CLICK HERE FOR THE 2010-2011 TEST SCORES

CLICK HERE FOR A LARGER VERSION OF 2010-2011 TEST SCORES

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That was the front page headlines in the Mesabi Daily News of Friday, September 16, 2011.  The article goes on to say that “The Virginia Schools led the pack in Range school districts in standardized statewide test scores in reading and mathematics in 2010-11.” 

Once again our students and staff have proven that they are working hard to improve learning at ISD 706.  While we are proud of this accomplishment, we will continue to strive for improvement during the 2011-12 school year. Congratulations Parkview Learning Center, Roosevelt Elementary and Virginia High School, good job!

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There will be an 8th grade parent and student orientation in order to introduce our 8th Grade iPad technology plan for the 2011-12 school year.  Parents and students will learn about the introduction of iPads into the classroom and what it means for their student’s education.  Parents will have an opportunity to ask questions and get involved in a new era of technology.  Orientation will be in Goodman Auditorium at 6:00 p.m.  Eighth grade parents and students should watch for a mailing (snail mail) with more information.

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It wasn’t so many years ago that the saying “an apple for the teacher” was used to express appreciation for a job well done.  A gift of an apple or other small item was presented to the teacher by a grateful and probably shy student.  In July the teachers of the Virginia Public Schools will get their apple in the form of an iPad 2.  Teachers will receive basic training and be let go to explore and experiment with this new teaching tool. Later in July and also in August more training will be offered as instructional staff ratchet up for the start of the 2011-12 school year.

Over 500 Apple iPad 2’s have been purchased by ISD 706 for our students and staff to use.  In September each 8^th grade student will be issued an iPad 2.  The remainder will be available for use in classrooms K-12.  By providing these new tools, ISD 706 is excited to be continuing the “A Tradition of Excellence.”

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