Board Hears of Washington Park Improvements
Members of the Jasper County School Board heard at their regular meeting Tuesday evening, from Shawne Holder, Principal of Washington Park Elementary School on the improvements of the school. Mrs. Holder informed the board that there are many ways to evaluate a system and what she has found as Washington Park’s “greatest strength is the faculty and staff.”
Mrs. Holder also told the board that there was a 20 percent improvement in the number of students that met or exceeded the performance goal in math for the 2012-2013 school year. In 2011-2012 only 42 percent of students met or exceeded and in 2012-2013, 62 percent met or exceeded the expectation set by the state.
Dr. Holder went through the balanced scorecard with the board and presented good things going on at WP. She commended new faculty members, Chad Sanders, assistant principal and Craig Hawkins, counselor for WP. Each of the men introduced themselves and gave some background as to how they came to Jasper County.
Dr. Holder also praised the upperclassmen for becoming involved. She said that the athletic programs, along with the Science Club and classes, the Distinguished Gentlemen, and the Leading Ladies have all sent older students over to interact with the WP students. She said that the children look up to the high school kids and look forward to them in the car line or on game days.
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Dr. Holder told the board that they had just begun their first day using the Flexible Learning Plan that day, Tuesday, and that it was off to a good start. The flexible learning plan is an after school program that provides students with an alternative supplemental academic intervention.
By definition it is designed to extended learning programs tailored to meet the needs of the school to serve students requiring additional academic intervention. These programs may include tutoring, remediation and other educational interventions designed to increase the academic achievement of students.
Dr. Holder did note there were some weaknesses still as far as struggling readers. The school has implemented math fluency and number sense to help students advance.
“We also don’t celebrate enough,” said Dr. Holder. “We need to celebrate the little things, as well as those big achievements by recognizing our children’s successes along with faculty achievements.”
“We do have a lot to celebrate. Our numbers have increased across the board as far as overall student achievement.”
The board also voted Tuesday to declare two parcels that make up the old Washington Park building and green space, just off Fred Smith Street, “unnecessary and surplus” in order for them to be sold through an absolute auction.
The two parcels are both zoned residential and parcel A1 is 4.71 acres and includes green space where the trailers sit and goes back to include the old playground area.
Parcel C1 is where the building actually sits and is 3.2 acres.
Also during the board meeting, there was some confusion and discussion on Ag Barn that had been approved last month. The original amount the board approved was $79,500 based on recommendation from Robert Cobb, FFA/Ag Teacher, Perry Hyde, Maintenance Supervisor and other FFA supporters. During the meeting Tuesday, the total bid for the barn came in some $9,700 more than was approved last month.
During the discussion, board members determined that more needed to be discussed and it will be brought back before the board no later than the November meeting.
When the two bids were accepted, the reason for the increase in cost reflected the labor charge and additional concrete for around $6,000. Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton was going to go back to Mr. Cobb and Mr. Hyde for clarification before any other funds were approved for the Ag Barn.
In personnel action, the board voted unanimously to hire Jewel Betts as Counselor for Jasper County Middle and High Schools. Ms. Betts will focus primarily on bullying and the education of parents, students and faculty on all aspects of bullying which includes cyber bullying which has become increasingly more predominant for youth.
The board also voted on the termination of Kathleen Matthews from her position as a paraprofessional for the JCMS alternative school.
Dr. Newton reminded everyone that the Lady ’Canes softball team won their region, and were to begin state playoffs yesterday at 5 p.m. at the Jasper County Recreation Department. He also said that homecoming is this Friday, Oct. 18, where the Hurricanes will face Crawford Co. and the homecoming parade is scheduled for today, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. and a pep rally Friday afternoon at the high school.
