Oskaloosa Community School Board 10 January 2012

Oskaloosa Community School Administration

by R.D. Keep

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Members of the Oskaloosa School Board heard a presentation by the Oskaloosa Middle School math teachers as part of the monthly Professional Learning Communities update. Teachers Brett Doud and Casey Bisher made the presentation on behalf of the other teachers.

Doud and Bisher emphasized that the math goal is that 100 percent of the students will achieve 70 percent or better on the unit tests. While no entire class has reached the goal, there have been segments in many of the classes that have attained the pinnacle.

Mary Cooksley, the district curriculum director, provided curriculum documents for approval that would make changes to curriculum in the business, physical education, and technology. The changes call for increases in the business area that allows for an emphasis on marketing. Eventual options will include unpaid internships with local businesses. While most of the changes begin with the 2012-13 school year, some elements will be phased in during subsequent years.

The board accepted the resignation of district food service director Allison Ketter. She has accepted a position with the Dubuque school district. Five teachers have requested early retirement. The board approved the requests for Janice Klyn, Duane Stowell, Ann Fender, Sue Heslinga and Jay Vink.

In other business:

Acknowledged a $1,000 donation from attorney Eric Palmer to be used for preschool education.

Acknowledged a $100 check from Mart Gillespie in memory of four members of the class of 1968. The funds are directed toward adaptive playground equipment at the elementary.

Approved specifications for the requesting of bus bids for an 84 and 77 passenger bus. Decision to approve will be requested once bids are received.

Next meeting of the board will be Tuesday February 14.