Sep 25, 2008

Last Thursday evening Ava R-I School Board members were given a copy of the school's current drug testing policy along with a copy of the Missouri School Board Assn's sample policy. Upon receiving the information, the board was asked to review and compare the policies for the October meeting when board members will discuss changes and consider options for updating the school's present policy. Board vice president Jeff Davis, committee chairman of the facility naming panel, reported the group met on Sept. 4, and determined the board should consider amending the present facility naming policy to include a nomination application form. Davis presented a copy of the proposed form to each board member for review. The proposed nomination application form asked for the following information –– Facility to be named; Proposed name of facility; Individual to be honored; Explain individual's assoŽciation and significance with the facility; Describe outstanding conŽtribuŽtions to Ava R-1 District and pro-vide documentation; Provide a record of recognizable excellence in his or her respective field eviŽdenced by a variety of outŽstanding accomplishments, leaderŽship, awards and service; Document how this person was a positive role model for others; Explain how the individual exhibited values like honesty, integrity, respect, sense of fairness, concern, self discipline, team work, and dedication to work; Has shown a commitment to excellence; Provide evidence of broad community support for the nomination. Prior discussion or approval, board members agreed to send the proposed document to MSBA for review and content approval. Dr. Andy Underwood reminded board members the MSBA Fall conference is October 23-26, and a regional meeting is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Willow Springs. Underwood reported Missouri United School Consortium had recently completed the annual safety review of Ava Schools and only minor infractions were noted on the report. Two of the items mentioned were inadequately secured water fountains and eye wash solutions outdated for use. An update on the construction of the storm shelter / performing arts center noted completion factors were: outside walls & structure, 100 percent; inside walls, 99 perŽcent; concrete floors, 100 percent; roof, 55 percent (6" concrete roof scheduled to be poured this week); mechanical, 45 percent; plumbing, 60 percent; and, water and sewer connections to begin next week. Underwood said administrators remained optimistically cautious about the MAP Appeal process which had been submitted last month. Underwood noted acceptance or refusal of the appeal will be rendered Nov 3. Dr. Nancy Lawler provided board members with a MAP score comparison sheet of SCA schools. The listing showed how the Ava school system ranked in the mix. On the report Lawler noted "the number indicates the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced on the 2008 MAP test". District scores were listed as follows: Communication/Arts: Houston, 54.9; Thayer, 49.8; Ava, 48.9; Mountain Grove, 44.1; Mountain View, 42.8; Salem, 42; Cabool, 41.3; Willow springs, 41. Math: Willow Springs, 52.5; Thayer, 50.3; Ava, 47.4; Houston, 46.9; Mountain View, 42.6; Salem, 42.4; Mountain Grove, 40.3; Cabool, 40.3. Attendance: Cabool, 95.3; Mountain Grove, 95.2; Thayer, 95; Mountain View, 94.7; Salem, 94.7; Houston, 94.6; Ava, 94.3; Willow Springs, 93.7. Graduation Rate: Thayer, 100; Mountain Grove, 97.2; Ava, 93.2; Salem, 91.8; Cabool, 90.8; Mountain View, 87.2; Willow Springs, 74.8. Principal Brad Plackemeier said sixth-grade students were recogŽnized for perfect attendance on Friday, Aug. 22. He noted election of student council officers was held August 28, and fall sporting events had started for the season. Principal Teresa Nash reported homecoming is Friday, Sept. 26, and students will be hosting the annual homecoming parade Friday afternoon. Nash said a number of homecoming activities are being planned for the week. Austin Evans and Lauren Porter were recognized as September Students of the Month. Nash also noted many high school clubs are making plans for Family Fun Night October 3. Elementary school students are now participating in a "community time" program each Wednesday morning in the gym. Principal Diana Premer said the program is a educational venue for young students to participate and gain knowledge about different career paths. During the sessions, students have the opportunity to learn and understand the importance of making good choices. Third and fourth grade classes have recently participated in safety programs and received instructions on electricity and safe practices. Enrollment in the elementary is 486 students. An overview of Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) goals and grade level plans were accepted as presented Thursday evening. A summary of the proŽposed program for the 2008-09 school year was given by CSIP committee member and high school teacher Airin Roberts. The plan, which outlines a unified teaching goal for teachers and staff, placed importance this year on establishing measurable guidelines for evaluation purposes. In addition the plan targeted specific issues such as literacy and math programs, student intervention programs and character development. Actions associated with the plan are delineated by grade level and building. High school Principal Teresa Nash gave an update on the High School At Work grant, the school's progress and plans for development during the third year of this 3-year program. The scope of the grant is to fund ways for the school to improve student achievement levels and scores. In the report Nash presented an overview of good practices that have been established over the past two years. She also noted areas that remain a challenge and require higher expectations, or the need to establish more in-depth programs. Areas earmarked for improvement were: enhance college prep language arts classes; expand reading and writing requirements; develop a senior math course; develop more literacy activities; enhance college prep studies in science by implementing additional projects and book requirements. The report was approved as presented. Dr. Nancy Lawler gave an overŽview evaluation of professional development goals, and program budget needs for the school year. Professional development is offered as an educational venue for staff members, providing program sessions geared to help teachers fine-tune classroom skills and enhance the teaching environment. Lawler listed three strengths of the Ava program as the following: summer workshops based on need; workshops cover a range of topics; budget monies wisely spent. Lawler explained each building - elementary, middle and high school – all have different needs and areas of concern; consequently, each year each building is allocated the same amount of money and faculty members from each building select what area of focus is important for their grade levels. This year the elementary selected Response To Intervention (RTI); middle school - research and technology in the classroom; and high school - active student learning and literacy. The professional development program which included a budget of $156,941 was approved as presented. During open session, a parent expressed displeasure with the school's attendance policy stating the procedure placed unwarranted penalty on students that miss days due to illness. The board spotlight was given to the high school math department. In closed session the board hired Darla Richards to fill an aide posiŽtion in the high school. Board members present for the meeting were Randy Spurlock, Randy Ross, Judy Lovan, Don Scrivner, Jeff Davis and Bill Philpott. Rick Ritter was absent. Guests in attendance for the meeting were Kent Stamper, Henry Weller, Melissa Kennedy and Loretta Burgin. The next regular session of the board is Thursday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m. in the administration office.