In School Testing Results Reviewed

School Board Hears Internal Testing Results
Submitted by: Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford

Elmwood, WI - On Tuesday June 29th the Elmwood school board listened to Principal Paul Blanford for a lengthy explanation of the in-school testing done with all the students from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. The tests are named MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Mr. Blanford went through the results of the testing grade by grade, to give a detailed explanation on how the students did with Reading, Language, and Math. The school gave the tests to students in the Fall, and again in the Spring to gauge the amount of growth by them. The tests had what he called a National Average of growth to be followed to help them see if the students are progressing as they need to be. In a summary provided by Mr. Blanford, the students really did very well in most areas. Most of the scoring was very close or above the expected levels. This testing was also done with a shorter period than the national average as well, being the school did not get a good start this year implementing the tests until a few weeks had already gone by. Most of the areas required near thirty to thirty two weeks of learning time, and the school only had twenty six to twenty eight weeks. This could leave the results being a couple points off with the lack of time being taught. It was also stated the students in grades Three through Five had a new math program this year called “Math Expressions”. This new curriculum required teachers to introduce and teach math skills in a new way that are quite different than have been practiced before. Making it a bit more difficult for the students and the teachers. Overall it seems that this is going to be a very productive tool for the school and the teachers to help the students progress through the year. The school has the ability to provide this test four times a year to those kids that are struggling, to assist them in a more structured program.

In Public Input, Brian Tolonen spoke to the Board about the experience he had going to a Badger Boys State program. There were 850 boys from around Wisconsin that attended the event for a one week long program. The program gave the boys the chance to be part in their Governments politics. Brian explained the process in which they broke the boys up into two groups, naming them the Federalist and the Nationalists. Early in the week they had campaigning, elections, conventions, and schooling. A Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice was on hand for the Election announcements. Brian also spoke of his favorite speaker during the event being Charles Wiley, a Journalist who was captured in China, while on assignment. Brian also gave a bit of insight on the different areas of study he had while there, going through schooling for Peace Officer and Ecology. In Ecology they learnt more about the Oil Spill in Alaska, In closing, Brian told the Board that he would recommend this program to anyone interested. The program also taught the boys to get the student body involved by having a representative of the students speak to the board with their concerns. This was something Brian stated he would like to get implemented this year if possible. He stated that he learnt how to get more involved, how to say Thank You when needed, and he added that he now believes he does not have any great need to becoming a politician. He wanted to Thank Marty Reinier and the American Legion for Sponsoring him, as well as Thanking the Board for listening to him speak of his experience.

The Administrative Report was then given by Paul Blanford. He started with the WIAA News for the Fall of 2011. There has been a new format for the season. High School Football practice will start one week earlier, beginning on Aug. 2nd. The upcoming Girl’s and Boy’s Basketball will see a change also, with a fifth division being created, making a total of five divisions in the playoffs. This will place Elmwood in the Fifth Division. The local Athletic Directors are not really happy with this he added, due to concerns with the heat, shortened vacation time, and the possibilities of more injuries with three games being played in a ten day period. There will be two openings for the assistant volleyball and track coaching staff. As of now, it is believed that Becky Baier will take over with Volleyball, and Heather Sand will take over in Track.

Superintendent Adam Zenner then spoke to the board, stating the Superintendent search is still ongoing. There are currently seven applications in for the position that has a July 6th deadline. He spoke of the Buildings and Grounds Committee looking into a new Special Ed bus. There are funds available for this, that need to be used before September 30, 2011. He also noted a new Route bus needed, stating the board should look at a rotation every two to three years to keep from needing multiple buses at one time. All the asphalt areas around the school have been redone this past week, and look great. The flooring and asbestos work are getting close to done also. The only area with asbestos left now, is the elementary part of the school, with the levels not being at an unhealthy level. Zenner also spoke to the board about the Athletic Season passes and the possibility of increasing the fee’s. No action was taken. The school had their audit going on in the boardroom, so the meeting was held in the High Scholl Library. Everything is going smooth, he added, stating they are looking at paying off some debt this year. Adam finished up by telling everyone that this was his last board meeting, due to his resignation. He said “Thank You, and it was a pleasure working for the school district”

Greg Nelson then began the rest of the meeting, making a motion to approve the agenda and the consent agenda also. He then went into discussing the Action Items, the Breakfast and Lunch prices would be increased this year by about thirty cents per level. The last raise was two years ago, he added. There was an information items to be looked at as well, being the school Food Service Policy. The policy needs to be better simplified, was said. Right now, a account may get fifty dollars behind before a notice is sent home. A second notice is sent when it reaches seventy five dollars, with a third being sent at one hundred dollars. Kids are given a sandwich and a carton of milk when the account becomes delinquent, beyond seventy five dollars. Another area to be looked into, is the allowance to students that are participating in events that keep them away from home for meals. Right now the policy reads that when a student misses a meal, they are to be given three dollars and fifty cents for a meal. This is believed to be needing increasing, as the costs of food have increased. This policy covers the activities that are overnight only at this time. The Student Insurance program is also being looked into as an expense the school may look at dropping. This coverage is only used as a secondary insurance, and does not get used very much. The cost to the school is going up nearly twenty five percent this year, pushing it close to Ten Thousand dollars. This was only an information item with no action taken.

Finishing up the meeting, Mr. Nelson spoke of the Open House on August 31, 2010 from 4 pm to 7 pm. There is also a Surplus sale in the Bus Garage on July 23rd and 24th.