Board of Education Reviews School System Test Scores and AYP Status
Penni Jones, Curriculum Director for Jasper County Schools, presented members of the Board of Education with system wide results from the CRCT and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports.
Mrs. Jones began by explaining that students in grades 1-8 took new tests based on the Georgia Performance Standards in the subjects of reading and language arts. As a result of those new tests, she said that local student achievement scores expectedly declined.
On the reading portion of the CRCT first, second, third, and seventh graders performed well by surpassing or maintaining the state averages. However fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth graders failed to maintain the state averages.
In the area of language arts, only the fifth and seventh graders remained competitive with the state averages while the other grades scored slightly below the mark.
When asked by Superintendent Jay Brinson as to why she believes the scores dipped, Mrs. Jones said that teachers must realize it’s a new curriculum and respond to it. More focus will be placed on writing next year, she said.
Board members Joel Gaston and Phyllis Norwood inquired as to the system’s ability to chart a students progress or demise from grade to grade. Mrs. Jones explained that the system does have and is currently implementing a tracking program.
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With regard to the high school graduation test, Mrs. Jones reported that 99 percent of the first time takers passed in English while 94 percent passed in math.
An AYP update included Jasper County Primary School achieving the status in academic performance, test participation, attendance, math, and reading.
Washington Park School met the same AYP standards as the primary school with the implementation of a confidence interval applied to reading. Mrs. Jones explained confidence interval as the process by which students who are within five points of passing are given passing scores through the benefit of doubt.
The middle school did make AYP in academic performance, test participation and attendance but failed to meet reading and math standards for students with disabilities. Mrs. Jones said that a state corrective plan is being formulated for the upcoming school year and that the system will try to implement its own line assessment as well.
The high school achieved AYP status, according to the curriculum director. Additionally the graduation rate increased from 60 percent to 66 percent.
In the area of absenteeism, the primary, elementary and middle school each reported decreased excessive absences from the previous year.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
•Highlighted school system employee Marie Lutrell as the district winner of the Older Worker of the Year award.
•Negotiations with the Jasper County Sheriff Department are ongoing about providing the school system a resource officer for next year.
•Reviewed the county’s sales ratio appeal hearing that did not meet with success. Supt. Brinson reported that each of the agricultural appeal values were denied and five residential values were rejected bringing the final ratio to 37.20, an increase of .07 from the original Dept. of Revenue configuration.
He said that taxpayers being taxed at the final sales ratio will result in loss of state funds for the school system.
During a discussion of personnel matters, resignations for Angie Williamson, Wanda Young, and Laura Michaud were accepted. New employees approved were Jenny Fraser, Sara Ross, Joyce Wright, Heather Battle, Vickey Huffman, and Veronica Harrison.
In other business, as a matter of information board members reviewed the agreed order of unitary status and dismissal lawsuit that rid Georgia schools of segregation in the 1970s.
Supt. Brinson and attorney Robby Kelly reported that the school system had already complied with the Dept. of Justice requests.
Board members approved the 2007 consolidated budget. Estimated revenues are $22,693,151 and expenditures are estimated at $30,466,898. Supt. Brinson said the difference between the figures is the cost of constructing the new high school.
The superintendent said that $5,556,877 were needed in local advalorem taxes to support the budget. The figure is a nearly $500,000 increase from last year.
When asked by board member Paul Kelly whether there would be increased school taxes this year, Supt. Brinson said that could not be determined until the county has a digest and the millage rate is set.
Additionally approved were policies for an organizational chart revision and wellness program, and one overnight field trip for FFA July 25-27.
The board entered into executive session to deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee.
