Montrose discusses high stakes testing

BY PAT FARNELLI
Correspondent

The Montrose Area administrators addressed the district’s School Performance Profile and high stakes testing, and on monthly reports submitted by administrators.

The special presentation was made by high school principal William King and assistant principal Eric Powers at the Monday, Oct. 12 school board meeting.

According to King, although student PSSA and Keystone test scores have been released to the district, the Pennsylvania Department of Education doesn’t have a School Performance Profile ready yet.

“We don’t have last year’s evaluations done, and we cannot finish last year’s teachers’ evaluations until the PDE gives us their criteria,” he said.

“Our standardized test scores have taken a hit,” King reported.

This is the first year that the state Common Core standards have been applied to the standardized testing, so scores have considerably dropped.” King said.

“Juniors are expected to perform as proficient or advanced on all three Keystones: Algebra 1, Biology, and English,” said Powers. “For those taking the algebra for the first time, 37.8 percent scored Advanced, and 37.8 percent scored Proficient.”

He said that 77 percent of Keystone biology scores from Montrose students were proficient or advanced. Powers also noted that about 60 percent were proficient or advanced on the literature test.

“Our district ranks in the middle,” said King. “Two years ago, we were the highest ranking district in Susquehanna County, based on the tests taken in 2012.”

The scores achieved in 2013 placed Montrose second to Blue Ridge; According to 2014 test scores, Susquehanna Community came topped the list of schools in the county, with Montrose Area next.

He said that on the high school level, the building will have an SPP score, but the state has delayed its release. “It is hard to set goals and make comparisons without the data: how are our kids doing compared to other kids?” King said.

Powers said that while they are anticipating an SPP score drop, the same thing happened when “No Child Left Behind” was implemented.

“Then we had our scores come up every year after that,” he said.

The administrators also spent some time discussing the new teacher evaluation process, which is much more involved than traditional methods of instructional evaluation.

“The focus is on student learning, not just teachers teaching,” said King. “Teacher accountability is so important. They have a tremendous amount being thrown at them, and should be given a tremendous amount of resources.”

Board member Greg Scheer asked, “Is there a way to collaborate with administrators from other districts? For example, if Wayne Highlands and Damascus schools are one and two in the region for math, perhaps we could schedule a meeting with the math curriculum director and find out what we can learn from them.”

Superintendent Carol Boyce said, “The best thing we can say is, ‘Stay tuned. We will let you know when we do.'”

New transportation director Wanda Harris was introduced during the work session by Boyce. “We are very, very pleased to have Wanda with us, she has hit the ground running, and the contractors have been very receptive to her leadership,” Boyce said.

The board discussed using a new board documents program, but then decided to stick with the present one, provided it is tweaked by the IT department to make it more user-friendly. They also discussed raising the transaction fee for online credit card payments for student meals from $2 to $3, or dropping this means of payment altogether.

Administrators brought up the possibility of installing film on glass entryway windows and doors, preventing intruders from being able to see students before they gain entry to the building.

It was reported that the number of students on the Free and Reduced Lunch program has dropped, which determines the school’s eligibility for some grant programs.

In other business, the board voted to adopt a resolution opposing milk regulations contained in the National School Lunch Program. The resolution was drafted by Elk Lake school board member Arden Tewksbury, who is the longest sitting school board member in the state and is also a promoter of the dairy industry through Pro-Ag.

The board approved the employment or Victoria J. Pollock as a full time special education teacher assigned to the learning support classroom at Lathrop Street Elementary School, retroactive to Sept. 29.

The board also hired Jessica Rallo as a full time guidance counselor assigned to Choconut Valley Elementary School, effective Nov. 5.

The board accepted with with regret the following resignations:

*Harrison Wolff as Assistant Football Coach effective Oct. 1.

* Heather Winn as Drama Club Advisor, effective Sept. 22.

The following coaches were appointed:

*Christopher Rezykowski as Junior High Boys’ Assistant Basketball Coach; Matthew Hawley as Head Wrestling Coach; Ben Chmil as Assistant Football Coach for the remainder of the 2015 fall sports season.

The board approved the 2015-2016 transportation contracts and payments for bus and car contractors.

The board also approved a contract with Michael C. Maydak and Barbara A. Wilson, doing business as Student Assistance Services, to provide behavioral support services to multiple students with special needs during the 2015-2016 school year at a cost not to exceed $10,000.

Policies revisions under review include one regarding use of school facilities, which was discussed at the September work session. The policy governs the use of school facilities, such as athletic fields, the auditorium, or the cafeteria by outside groups, and guidelines on fees for such use.

The board also approved the creation of a new student activity account for archery, and Eric Powers as facilitator for that account.

A board reorganization meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Jr.-Sr. High School, along with a regular monthly meeting, following a work session.

The board approved the Superintendent’s 2014-2015 evaluation as satisfactory, and endorsed her 2015-2016 goals as previously submitted and discussed.