About Us
Information Central
- Affiliated Building Company
- Annual Report and World's Best Workforce
- Authorizer
- Board and Board Minutes
- Data and Assessments
- Facilities Rental
- Finances
- Reading Well by 3rd Grade
Affiliated Building Company
Metro Deaf School's current location is 1125 Energy Park Drive in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Metro Deaf School leases this site from 1 House 2 Hands Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to securing and maintaining a property that would meet the needs of Metro Deaf School.
1 House 2 Hands Board Members
Andrew Palmberg: President
Kelley Cole: Secretary
Matthew Ferguson: Treasurer
Chris Alvarado: Director
Contact:
1125 Energy Park Drive St Paul, MN 55108
651-224-3995; ask for a 1 House 2 Hands representative
Bylaws
Approved Meeting Minutes
You can donate to 1House 2Hands Inc and support their effort to provide Metro Deaf School with adequate facilities by donating here.
Annual Report and World's Best Workforce
Authorizer
The Charter Law provides charter schools with additional autonomy under Minnesota law. In return it demands additional accountability which comes in the form of an authorizer.
Metro Deaf School is authorized by the University of St. Thomas (UST), in St. Paul, Minnesota. UST is an approved charter school authorizer through the Minnesota Department of Education. UST currently serves as the authorizer for 12 charter schools across the state of Minnesota. Each charter school is required to develop a contract and an accountability plan with their authorizer. The contract requirements and accountability plan are reviewed annually by UST. MDS reports quarterly to the UST on specific areas outlined in a reporting document developed by UST.
Renewal of a contract (every 3-5 years) is dependent on overall performance and the meeting of goals/expectations set forth by UST, the school board and school leadership working collaboratively to determine what is best and most realistic for the school. Currently MDS is under contract with UST through June 30, 2024. The mutually agreed upon renewal process would begin prior to the ending date.
The Program Coordinator for Charter School Authorizing at UST is Teresa Moffatt. She can be reached at tmoffatt@stthomas.edu or 320-223-8380.
Board and Board Minutes
Data and Assessments
Students at Metro Deaf School take different types of assessments. These may be assessments as part of a student's Evaluation/ Individual Education Plan (IEP), district assessments, or required state assessments. Teachers and Staff use the information from assessments to help guide instruction, as well as to measure students progress in different areas.
Click here to see the testing schedule for the 2023-2024 School Year.
Click here to see a comprehensive description, including name, length, and purpose, of various District and State Assessments given to students throughout the year.
Facilities Rental
If you are interested in renting the school for a function, please contact MDS at 651-224-3995 and ask for the Business Office.
Building use/rental Policy:
Metro Deaf School, District #4005, expects members of the community who use the facilities and equipment to do so with respect for school district property and an understanding of proper use. Individuals and groups shall be responsible for damage to facilities and equipment.
The following procedures must be followed in order to secure permission to use District #4005’ building for personal or organizational use in the evenings or on weekends. The person/group making this request is hereinafter referred to as the Renter.
A Building Use Request Form must be filled out and submitted to District #4005’s Business Office 10 days in advance of the date needed. Once approved, a permit will be issued to the renter for use of the building. Fees must be paid in full before the event.
The building is available to rent between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
For information regarding rental fees, contact Esther Thorpe at ethorpe@mdsmn.org or 651-259-1057 (Voice).
A building monitor will be assigned the entire time the building is being used.
The Renter is responsible for setting up and taking down as needed.
If the cafeteria is used for refreshments, the Renter is responsible for clean up. This includes any dishes and utensils used as well as disposing of garbage in outside garbage bin.
Due to liability issues, use of some District #4005 equipment is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to computers and digital cameras. Renters must provide their own computers. Guest wifi is available.
The Renter must supply all materials to be used including but not limited to dry erase markers, copy paper etc.
If the Renter brings children: No children are permitted in any of the classrooms. Games, toys and other materials for children must be supplied by the Renter. District #4005 materials are for instructional purposes only and are not to be used.
All children must be supervised. Metro Deaf School, District #4005, is not responsible for accidents. This includes supervision when using the outdoor playground area.
Finances
The Metro Deaf School Board of Directors approves an annual budget for the school, and reviews the finances of the school monthly. Information regarding the school's finances will be posted here for the community's viewing.
If you have any questions regarding information posted below, you can contact Susan Lane-Outlaw at slaneoutlaw@mdsmn.org
DISTRICT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES BUDGET FOR FY 2020 AND FY 2021
Metro Deaf School Annual Budget
Annual Budget for 2020-2021 School Year (revised 12-17-2020)
Annual Budget for 2019-2020 School Year (revised 12-11-2019)
Annual Budget for 2018-2019 School Year (revised 12-11-2018)
Annual Budget for 2017-2018 School year (revised 12-18-2017)
Annual Budget for 2016-2017 School Year (revised 12-19-2016)
Annual Budget for 2015-2016 School Year (revised 12-21-2015)
The Minnesota Department of Education also provides information on its website. For more information, go to http://w20.education.state.mn.us/MDEAnalytics/Data.jsp.
Annual Audit
Metro Deaf School conducts an annual audit of the school's finances. Information regarding previous year's audits are posted below.
2018-2019 Financial Report
2018-2019 Management Report
2017-2018 Financial Report
2017-2018 Management Report
2016-2017 Financial Report
2016-2017 Management Report
2015-2016 Financial Report
2015-2016 Management Report
2014-2015 Financial Report
2014-2015 Management Report
2013-2014 Financial Report
2013-2014 Management Report
2012-2013 Financial Report
2012-2013 Management Report
2011-2012 Financial Report
2011-2012 Management Report
2010-2011 Financial Report
2010-2011 Management Report
2009-2010 Financial Report
2009-2010 Management Report
Monthly Financial Statement Reports
20-21 FISCAL YEAR
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
19-20 FISCAL YEAR
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
18-19 FISCAL YEAR
July 2018
August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
June 2019
17-18 FISCAL YEAR
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017
January 2018
February 2018
March 2018
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
16-17 FISCAL YEAR
July, 2016
August, 2016
September, 2016
October, 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
June 2017
Reading Well by 3rd Grade
As written in MN Statute 120B.12, a school district must adopt a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level no later than the end of grade 3. A local literacy “plan must include a process to assess students' level of reading proficiency, notify and involve parents, intervene with students who are not reading at or above grade level, and identify and meet staff development needs. The district must post its literacy plan on the official school district Web site.”
Reading well by third grade is one of many developmental milestones in a child’s educational experience. Literacy development starts at an early age and is the basis for all academic success. Reading well by grade three ensures that a student has a solid foundation of literacy skills to continue to expand their understandings of what they read, make meaning, and transfer that learning across all subject areas. Instruction that provides the basis for all students to read well by third grade and beyond will help close the achievement gap and ensure that all students are ready for the demands of college and the workplace.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN?
The purpose of this Literacy Plan is to provide an overview of how our dedicated Metro Deaf School staff will; continually work to improve the academic achievement of all students by identifying needs, implement research-based instructions, engage in on-going study and self-reflection to improve the shared practice of teaching, and involve parents and the community in a joint partnership to stay actively responsive to the needs of our children.
To view MDS’s Literacy Plan, click here.
For more information, contact Dr. Susan Outlaw, Executive Director at soutlaw@mdsmn.org or 651-259-1050 (voice), 651-964-1631 (videophone).