Oskaloosa School Board For Tuesday June 12
Oskaloosa Community School Administration
By RD KEEP
Oskaloosa School Board members met in regular session Tuesday and approved a large number of routine items. The board heard a presentation on the Iowa Assessments and the district’s MAP scores.
Dr. Mary Cooksley, curriculum director, discussed the Iowa Assessments and how the results should be interpreted with the board. The assessments are linked to the Iowa Core. In the past, results were linked to a national percentile and often misunderstood. Cooksley said educators based on a national standard score now look the test results.
“We like it because it helps us to measure growth,” said Cooksley. She said that there are base scores in each academic area, which is the standard score, is “a score a student needs to be considered proficient.”
The MAP scores is an assessment given to students in the fall and spring. The tests are identical each time it is given and makes use of the computer lab. The results are compared with each other and the amount of growth for each student provides teachers with a gauge of how much the students have progressed.
Superintendent Russ Reiter announced that the office of the budget informed the district that the tax ask per $1,000 valuation for fiscal year 2012-13 will rise seven cents from $15.83 to $15.90 The rise is still a drop of 93 cents from fiscal year 2011-12.
In his report to the board, Reiter said the new district website will be up and running on July 1. He requested a work session with the board on June 21st or 22nd to work on district goals. He mentioned that on June 25 Sno Biz would be at the high school baseball and softball games for a fundraiser. The boosters will sponsor the event.
The board approved raising pay for substitute teachers and bus drivers by five dollars. Substitute teachers will receive $100 per day. Reiter said the raise was needed to allow the district to stay competitive with other districts in the area.
Board members approved and 8 percent increase in the district’s property insurance coverage. Board secretary Chad Vink stated the insurance also was raised for workman’s comp coverage as well. The insurance policy is with EMC. Vink said there is not a lot of competition for the coverage, which may play a role in the cost.
The board accepted the resignations of senior high teacher Bryan White and elementary teachers Shannon Kerper, Michelle Spry and Valerie Smock. They approved the hiring of Mike Comfort for senior high math and elementary teachers, Jamie Prada, Amanda McGill, Katie Taylor, Amy Mathewson and Hillary Gingrich.
The board went into closed session to evaluate the superintendent. Next meeting for the board will be held Tuesday July 10.
Approved items of business:
- K-12 grade level benchmarks
- 2012-13 student handbook
- Accepted progress report on annual improvement goals
- Middle School grade level benchmarks and components
- Approved baseball trip to Omaha
- Background check program
- Renewal of membership in Iowa School Board Association
- Lease contract with YMCA, Headstart and Kid’s Corner
