In other business, Supt. Dr. Robert Klitzman reported to the board on the transition Indiana high schools are making from ISTEP testing to End-of-Course Assessments, which, he added, makes comparing data difficult.

Winamac high school did not make the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) under the current Indiana Accountability System because the graduation rate data from two years ago was used in the calculations. Klitzman said last year’s graduation rate was over 90 percent (the highest in the area), which would have qualified WCHS for AYP. Scores in algebra and English were also just under the cut.

Because of this, a very large number of Indiana high schools were placed on “probation” status, including WCHS. Next year, Klitzman said, these categories change and schools will receive a letter grade, from A to F.

Klitzman also reported on 2009 legislation which requires a “school-based plan” to be developed for improving student discipline and behavior. A few areas that must be addressed within the plan include:

• Ways to keep students in the classroom instead of suspending or expelling them.
• Goals for a three-year period, which must be reviewed and revised each year.
• How and to what extent the school expects to make continuous improvements with the results being measurable by setting benchmarks.

The strategies and plan must be evidence/research based. A few of the areas can be corporation-wide, but each school must have its own plan approved by the school board and submitted to the DOE no later than July 1.

Klitzman noted that the state legislature is in full swing. He added that one bill introduced would require the school year to begin after Labor Day and to be completed by June 10. This bill is supported by the state tourism industry.

The superintendent also reported on the Christmas break projects which were successfully completed, including the elementary school gym lighting project, the controls change-over, and the carpet and floor cleaning.

Under action items, the board approved the advertised fiscal year budget, the next step in the budget approval process. Authorization was also given to Klitzman to modify the budget at the upcoming state hearing, if necessary.

Klitzman explained that Indiana statute requires each school board in the state to form into a School Board of Finance each year. The purpose is to review the corporation investment summary. A president and secretary from the school board are elected. The board elected Larry Beach as president and Joyce Heater as secretary. There are no corporation investments to review at this time.

The superintendent also explained that the state legislature, a few years ago, adopted a requirement for schools to compile a financial plant to shift funds from the overhead- and operations-type accounts to instructional- and academic-type accounts. The board approved the goals, as presented, which will be submitted to the state department of education.

The school board approved a request from the high school wrestling team to participate in overnight trips to Merrillville for the semi-state and Indianapolis for the state competitions.

In his report, high school principal Rick DeFries reported on different ways the high school is helping students with End-of-Course Assessments. In classrooms, teachers are giving practice tests and using peer tutors. Student Resource Time will return and will be used to help students prepare for the tests through remediation. Of the 68 students who took the test last time, 51 have passed, which was due in large part to teachers providing organized remediation.

DeFries also reported that student Stefanie McGovern, who was injured in an auto accident during the holiday break, may return to school next week. He also congratulated the freshman boys basketball team for its Midwest Conference win.

Middle school principal Stan Good reported that the Science Olympiad Team will have its first competition Jan. 15. He announced that Quinn McGovern was chosen as the district winner of the Dick Lugar/Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance essay contest.

Elementary principal Jill Collins reported that for the past few years kindergarten and pre-school teachers have been working on a plan to help better prepare pre-school children for kindergarten. The plan will provide parents with activities to help their child better prepare for kindergarten and help parents understand what a day in kindergarten is like. The first session will be Feb. 17. The plan also invites pre-school teachers to observe kindergarten and invites pre-school children to kindergarten, whether or not they attend a pre-school.

During the board comment session, the following topics were mentioned: pre-school, the Linda Braun Foundation, Kiwanis Club, boys basketball, and the auto accident.

The next school board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 14.