Published: October 13, 2008 09:40 am      

Camanche School Board takes look ahead

CAMANCHE — The Camanche school board recently reviewed testing results of the past school year, heard from the three school principals and made plans for the upcoming year.

Camanche School Superintendent Tom Parker opened the meeting with a review of the comprehensive school improvement plan, what Parker referred to as an executive summary of the school system’s long-range goals, its action plan, a prioritization of student needs and the system’s ongoing efforts to meet set goals.

The long-range goals for the 2008-2009 school year include: All kindergarten through 12th students will achieve proficiency levels or higher in reading comprehension, mathematics and science, use technology to develop their respective proficiencies and feel safe, respected and connected to school.

To meet those goals, Parker prefaced the action plan with a review of data provided by the Iowa Department of Education that contained the results of testing of reading, math and science proficiency skills from first through 12th grade. He further explained the state’s required base of 41 percent to be proficient does not mean the student score is 41 percent, but rather that he or she must rank better than 41 percent of the total of students tested.

Parker noted during his review with school board members that math proficiencies had increased overall, which he attributed in large part to the school system’s emphasis the past several years to focus the efforts of teachers and staff to help students better develop their math proficiency.

But he expressed concern over what appears to be a plateau, or in some instances, a drop in the reading proficiencies of Camanche students. “Some issues with reading skills become apparent by eighth grade,” Parker pointed out.

Therefore, the superintendent indicated an intent for the schools to shift their focus to reading skill development at all grade levels.

There was also a review of the ACT composite scoring, which showed Camanche students’ scores had risen last year, to just shy of the state average of 22. Parker indicated the results show how program adjustments, like the focus on math development, can positively impact student scores.

Camanche High School principal Gary DeLacey reported to the board one possible reason that the ACT scores had been slightly less than the state average may well be attributed to the dramatically increased number of Camanche students taking the exam — DeLacey explained it as a “double-edged sword,” in that he encourages all high school students to take the ACT, so the level of preparation for the testing may have been less for some of the students, impacting their respective composite scores.

Each school principal addressed the board, outlining steps each school had taken to better meet the needs of the students and the staff.

Camanche Elementary School principal Steve Fuglsang was happy to report proficiency scores for his fourth-grade students had risen, and that new reading series for students had been purchased and were being implemented throughout the elementary grades.

As to professional development, Fuglsang reported a continuance of a program whereby one hour each Wednesday faculty meet for curriculum mapping and further professional development, adding his school has been doing “a lot more training work with (teaching) associates.”

Camanche Middle School principal Phil Cochran presented his staff’s efforts to involve middle school students in what he termed a “literacy block” — a 90-minute focus on reading, language, vocabulary and spelling interweaved, with skill building and guided practice stressed. He added they have been implementing the use of new textbooks, as well as state-provided software and a reading skill-building program.

Cochran also discussed research-based strategies, involving six-trait writing, inclusion of IEP students, differentiated instruction of both high and low students simultaneously and question-answer-relationship teaching.

He continued, stating this school year the bar for accountability has been raised, for both teachers and students.

To that end, Cochran reported teachers are required to submit weekly planning guides for his review, have weekly in-class observation by the principal and have performance-based assessments.

DeLacey gave the board an overview of his school’s use of the “Writing to Learn” system.

In the system, DeLacey explained, personal writing by each student is used in each of the school’s various subjects to enhance each student’s knowledge and understanding. He said the writing tasks, applicable to subjects from math to social studies, range from simple to complex, each set to enhance a student’s understanding of that particular subject.

The high school principal also reported the school now has a college-level trigonometry textbook in use, and math faculty are also teaching a “Math for Life” course, which emphasizes real-life applications of math principles.

The meeting continued with a review of student enrollment. Parker pointed out the open enrollment has greatly benefited the Camanche school district — approximately 100 more students are enrolled than are actual resident students.

At $5,300 of state funding per student, that equals more than $500,000 in additional funding for the district.

Parker was pleased to report the school system’s unspent balance stood at $600,000, as of fiscal year 2007, and that amount was anticipated to be even higher this year.

A review of state analysis of property taxation rates showed Camanche at a slightly higher rate than other districts; however, Parker pointed out, the district is one of the state’s minorities in not imposing an income tax or surtax for its funding.

The school levy rate per $1,000 taxable valuation has declined slightly since 2007.

The district’s early retirement policy has also had a significant impact on the system’s levy rate, and Parker indicated he would be recommending the policy be discontinued, as the benefits of early teacher retirement levels off.

Some of the funding currently subsidized by the property tax levy will begin to be covered with the state’s one cent sales tax increase, begun July 1. And the recent voter approval, by 96 percent, of the district’s revenue purpose statement, continues the system’s ability to use that one-cent sales tax money instead of local property taxes to maintain, repair and upgrade school facilities.

The board heard how those monies will be used to address current debt, convert the three schools to geothermal heating and cooling, and address site-specific needs at each of the three schools. Board members agreed to have Parker contact the Ament firm, to investigate the details of a geothermal conversion and what that would entail financially.

There was review of the school district’s mission statement, vision, values and goals, as previously set, and a review of both the short-term (2008-2009) and long-term (three to five years) goals set forth by the district.

Academically, Parker concluded, he felt great strides have been made in student learning in the Camanche school district over the past year; financially, the superintendent stated that, given the current economy, the district is currently on an upswing.

The next scheduled school board meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, at the Camanche Administration Center, 702 13th Ave., Camanche.