Tuesday, December 27, 2011
 
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CEL receives high return on parent survey

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[December 27, 2011]  The Chester-East Lincoln superintendent's December report to the school board included the results of a survey that was returned by 109 parents. Superintendent Jennifer Hamm was impressed with the number of responses and the helpful input that parents were willing to share.

Hardware"This was a high response rate, and we were very happy with the honest comments parents included," she said.

According to the survey responses, 71 percent of parents would like to see the district conduct spring parent-teacher conferences. The sessions are currently held only in October. Comments stated that if a child is in need of help, it would be beneficial to discuss the issue in the spring, before school lets out for the summer, in order to work out a plan to address a solution or a goal to work toward before school resumes.

Parents also asked for more evening conferences. Overall, they commended the teaching staff for being willing to help the students and work with them to make improvements.

Another question on the survey asked about computers and Internet access. Ninety-seven percent of students have computers, but only 85 percent have Internet access.

"Also what we have discovered is the students are computer-smart, but they don't know basic programs like Word and others that allow them to implement their computer skills," Hamm said.

"We need to teach programs as early as second grade in PowerPoint and other programs they can use as they get older."

Hamm mentioned two mapping programs that are available, but AIMSweb is her favorite, with an extensive database and an immediate delivery of the child's results. The program has 35,000 math problems and 33,000 reading problems. The computer starts at the student's current grade level and will increase the difficulty of questions in response to a student's correct answers. When a series of responses do not achieve correct answers, the computer returns to the corresponding grade level, allowing students to establish their understanding before advancing to the next level.

The cost of AIMSweb is $4 per student. The new district psychologist has said that the program is very efficient. She will be part of the process of working with students to support improvements.

The new method of teacher evaluations will make it more difficult to obtain tenure simply because of length of employment. Also, an evaluation only considers time and performance at the current school or district and does not take into consideration the total time in the teaching profession. Three levels in the evaluation are (1) unsatisfactory, (2) needs improvement and (3) proficient. Evaluations will take into account student growth and classroom instruction. Final results of an evaluation will determine who is "RIFed" in the spring of the year.

A committee of three teachers and the superintendent will review the new teachers' evaluation system. Several training sessions are scheduled for early next year. CELEA, the teachers' association, will be represented in January by the group's president, Heather Murphy, at a simulation evaluation hosted by the state and national associations, IEA and NEA. The plan is to implement the new evaluation system in fall 2012.

Hamm suggested the RIF committee be small, with herself, the board president and the CELEA president to be the only members.

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The building and grounds committee from the board should meet soon and deliver a plan for upgrading the building.

"This is a 60-year-old building, and it has good bones, but there are things that need an upgrade," Hamm said. "We'll start receiving revenue from the 1 percent sales tax soon. In the file are estimates from 2008 for geothermal at $2.7 million, and heating and A/C for $1.9 million. Things have changed since then, and we need to look at what we need and what we can do."

Erika Meiners has resigned as district treasurer as of Dec. 31. According to the state board, it is acceptable to appoint a district school board member for one year. But Hamm stated her confidence in the office staff and herself being able to manage the duties. There is a learning curve for some of the procedures, but Theresa Strampp is willing to provide instruction to Hamm so she can step in if needed.

A time clock was ordered, which will eliminate time sheets and make payroll easier to track. It will be installed outside the office, accessible by cooks and bus drivers who come and go on different schedules.

There is no school on Feb. 3, but teachers will participate in a traveling institute. They have contacted and made arrangements with schools in the area that have classroom programs they would like to observe. Locations include Ball-Chatham, Pleasant Plains, Greenview and Lincoln schools.

Superintendent Hamm announced special thanks to individuals in the district and in the community who have given to the district -- Mrs. Aper for organizing Family Skate Night; Mrs. Crim for leading the winter concert; Mr. Bagby from LCHS for allowing CEL to present the winter concert in the high school auditorium, which allowed a nice setting for the children's program; Mr. Hoffert and Mr. Rader for building the incredible train for the Polar Express event; and the Community Club for providing the Promethean slates and candy treats for the students.

Upcoming dates to remember: School resumes Jan. 3; Martin Luther King Day is Jan. 16 - no school; CEL cheerleaders go to state competition on Jan. 21; next board meeting is Jan. 24.

[By MARLA BLAIR]

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