Acceptance of a board member resignation and a report on the district’s Annual Progress Report highlighted a meeting of the Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday night.
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Steve Holt submitted his resignation from the board, effective on Tuesday night. Holt stated he has purchased property outside of the school district and plans to move there, making him ineligible to serve on the board. Superintendent Becky Albrecht said letters of interest would be accepted at the district office until Tuesday, Oct. 24 from persons who would like to fill the term of Holt until the April election. The letters are to be addressed to the Secretary of the Board and should include the individual’s name, their qualifications and state why they would want to serve on the board.
Board members set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 to review the letters and hope to name a replacement at the next regular board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
Mrs. Albrecht presented preliminary information concerning the district’s Annual Progress Report, which showed the R-9 District meeting 11 of 14 standards assessed by the state. As a result, the district has been recognized as accredited. Of the three standards not met, she noted that progress is being made in those areas – third through fifth grade MAP scores in communication arts, graduation rates and offering advanced courses. It was noted significant progress has been made in graduation rates, which Mrs. Albrecht noted has been a standard that has not been met for several years. She said that administration is looking at ways to track students who drop out but go back and obtain their GED, which she said the district can count if it can be documented. There is currently not a place in which to get those reporting numbers, however, she said attempts are being made to find out that information.
It was noted that next year’s APR will be critical in regard to the MSIP review the district will undergo during the 2007-2008 school year. Based on this year’s results, the district would have undergone what Mrs. Albrecht termed a “mini review,” where MSIP officials would have looked at only those standards not met by the district. Should the district fall into the category of fully accredited next year, Mrs. Albrecht said the district would undergo a review that she explained would involve making sure the district had its paperwork in place.
Educational Services Director Barb Cox presented information on the curriculum, testing and professional development program evaluation and talked about a five-year program being used to evaluate curriculum and determine both weaknesses and strengths in specific areas. Director of Special Services Marcia Gutshall also discussed the district’s special education program, including a transition program being implemented for special education students at the high school level.
The board reviewed a list of committees which will function during the school year and includes staff, support service personnel and board members. Administrators are serving as chairmen of each committee, which are to meet at least one time before the Christmas break. The committees and their chairmen include Insurance, Toni Cox; Capital Improvements, George Moore; School Calendar, Marcia Gutshall; Curriculum, Barb Cox; Professional Development, Barb Cox; Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, Dan Wiebers; Salary and Welfare, Becky Albrecht; Technology, Kris Ockenfels; and Safety, Dennis Gutshall.
The board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday for a board of education evaluation session. A representative of the MSBA is to be present to facilitate the meeting, which will also include discussion of district performances. Board President Cass Fuller said he would also like to see the board set a special meeting to review current goals and to set new goals for the school year.
Following the regular meeting, an executive session for personnel and real estate was held. No announcement was made.