Central enrollment down again

By Janet Huffman
Herald Correspondent

October 16, 2006 10:54 am

— DEWITT — Enrollment has decreased again in the Central School District.
Business Director Jan Culbertson reported to the Central School Board on Wednesday that 27.5 fewer students attended Central schools on the official count day, October 2. The district reached a high of 1,684.4 students in the 2000-2001 school year, and enrollment has decreased every year since.
There are 579 high school students, 323 middle school students and 630 elementary students. Central resident students number 1,473; non-resident students, 58; tuitioned out students, 11; open enrolled out, 67; and dual enrolled, 1.1. The total count is 1,532.
The figures help generate the budget for the 2007-2008 school year, Culbertson said. When asked why parents open enroll out, she said, according to a survey a few years ago, the primary reason was for convenience of the parents. She added that in the western part of the district, some students choose to attend Calamus-Wheatland schools.
New Curriculum Director Sharon Dickman presented the annual progress report to the board. The APR was certified on Sept. 15 and sent into the state offices online. Eventually community members will be able to access the information on-line.
While most of the district’s proficiency goals for the No Child Left Behind Act were achieved, Central has been put on a “watch list” because eighth-grade reading goals were not met by students with individual education plans. An increase of 10 percent is needed for students in this group to be proficient this school year, Dickman said. Ten of a group of 47 now are proficient and an increase of only one student would meet the goal.
A plan to increase the efficiency of these IEP students has been put in place. The plans include co-teaching training, differentiated instructional strategies and skills lessons. NCLB goal also include attendance rates and graduation rates. Central exceeds the state average for both criteria.
In addition, Iowa students must meet Chapter 12 goals, which, if not met, require plans devised for improvement.
While reading goals were met, some math and science goals were not met. Consequently, plans to achieve math goals for ninth-graders and science goals for 10th,graders were enacted.
Dickman noted the early intervention goal was met and average ACT scores were above the state average, 23.2 to 22.1, in the 2005-2006 school year.
At Dickman’s request, the board approved continuation of the innovative calendar, which provides three days for professional development for teachers. That time is used for sustained work on the district-wide curriculum mapping process and building initiatives.
The board approved an agreement with the DeWitt Area Community Foundation for the Saber Team for Arts and Recreation to raise money for an auditorium and gym. Representing STAR, Steve Thayer said the next step is a feasibility study to gain an idea of how much could be raised and how the group’s plans would fit into the district’s five- and 10-year plan.
Board President Kurt Rickard said the board fully supports the committee, which has worked since December 2004 on the project.
Board member Dona Bark was appointed to represent the board at STAR meetings.
A request to the School Budget Review Committee was approved for additional spending authority to cover the cost for open enrollment students who were not on the district’s lists last year. The 17 students were not counted last year because four are kindergarten students and the other 13 have moved into the district but decided to stay enrolled in their original district, Culbertson said. The amount is $83,827.
The board approved three applications: the Safe and Drug Free Schools grant for $6,425, with about $1,300 to St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary; the Title II, Part A application for $49,376 for reading teachers; and the Title V, Part A application of $2,066 for innovative programs, usually technology items, with St. Joe receiving $236 of the funds.