Sean C. Morgan
The District 55 School Board approved four goals for the 2014-15 school year with strategies for achieving those goals to be devised this month for approval next month.
The board approved the following goals during its regular meeting on Oct. 13:
– Create an academic environment that supports, sustains and develops the capacity for continuous improvement of instruction that increases student learning and achievement.
– Explore new avenues to communicate with community partners, parents and staff to foster the growth and success of all students.
– Ensure that the Sweet Home School District remains financially solvent and fiscally responsible.
– Evaluate the impact of the four-day school week to make decisions about the 2015-16 school year.
The first three goals were developed Sept. 15 when the board met and broke up into three groups to focus on communication; curriculum and instruction; and finances. The board added the fourth goal, to evaluate the impact of the four-day school week, on Oct. 13.
Strategies to achieve each goal remain under discussion, and the board will consider proposals at its regular meeting on Nov. 10.
“I would like something concrete and measurable,” said Leena Ellis about the goals.
“I like the three goals,” said board member Jason Redick. “They’re broad enough.”
Approving the goals is the important part, and then the board can add strategies to achieve them, Redick said.
Chairman Mike Reynolds agreed that the categories were good and the board could develop strategies from there.
Jason Van Eck said the district failed in some aspects of its student achievement goals last year and thought that elements of the goal, which called for 60 percent of students to reach state standards and show growth based on data from multiple sources, should be included this year.
Ellis moved to approve the goals with the idea that specific, measurable strategies are added this month and considered by the board next month.
The board voted 7-0 to approve them. Present were Van Eck, Chanz Keeney, Redick, Reynolds, Ellis, David VanDerlip and Kevin Burger. Jenny Daniels and Dale Keene were absent.
The board also voted 7-0 to appoint Van Eck, Redick and Keeney to a committee to redevelop the superintendent’s evaluation.