 "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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