The American Falls School District discussed some tough issues when they met on Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the board room. Four resignations were tendered, and an anticipated legislative holdback of eight percent were among the items discussed.
William Price Hamilton tendered his resignation as English teacher at American Falls High School. His resignation was accepted by the school board. Other resignations announced were those of Rebecca Lenz, high school math teacher, and Carrie Rond, part-time middle school teacher assistant. Their resignations were also accepted.
Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs Kay Jones announced her retirement. At first, nobody on the board would make the motion to accept her retirement resignation. There was a long moment of silence before board member Lane Lankford slowly made the motion to accept it. He was seconded by Donita Gardner, and the board voted. Board member Dallas Clinger voted “no” in protest of losing Jones.
“When she was hired on five years ago, we told Kay she had big shoes to fill. But she hasn’t only filled those shoes, she’s made her own path,” said board chairman Bruce Hauber.
The board will not be hiring another person to fill Jones’ position in an attempt to meet the $650,000 budget shortfall imposed on the district by the State of Idaho. Even though there will be no more holdbacks in this years’ budget, there are anticipated holdbacks of eight to ten percent anticipated for the 2010-2011 school year.
Other measures the board is discussing include a software program that will shut computers off at 3:30, 4:30, or 5:30 p.m., depending on what they are programmed to do. The new boiler at Hillcrest Elementary has resulted in a gas savings of 44 percent in January, with an anticipated yearly savings of 30 percent overall. The district is also submitting a grant proposal to Idaho Power for $3,040, which is enough to cover parts and labor to replace the lights in the gym at American Falls Intermediate School.
The school board is also considering “out of the box” thinking, including a virtual school for local homeschooled children. The proposed E-Center would partner with homeschool parents and form a virtual academy for the entire area, including Aberdeen, Rockland, and Arbon. The accredited program would feature kindergarten through 12th grade study that would have students interact with the schools to become more well-rounded students by utilizing things like music and athletic programs. The school district would need about 11 students to break even, and would be compensated by the state instead of by individual students and parents.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) has set a tentative budget date of Monday, March 1, for the State Board of Education. One of the possible budget adjustments JFAC has discussed has been to change some line items in the budget to instead be lumped under one block grant.
The property tax repeal made three years ago is what has changed financial situations for school districts in Idaho, according to Bolinger.
“We are having to deal with a $650,000 hole not of our own making,” Bolinger said. “But whatever happens, wherever we are, we will go forward because we have too much at stake.”
“It is the government’s job to ensure everyone has a good, relevant education. I’m afraid of what’s going to happen now that they are messing with that lifeline,” said Bolinger.
The CNA program, a program which trains high school people to be Certified Nurses’ Assistants and allows them to graduate with a CNA certificate, which was formerly through the Gateway Academy, is in its last year. Gateway Academy has decided not to renew its partnership with American Falls. Therefore, Bolinger met with Preston and West Side and formed a consortium to keep the CNA program in the area.
Hillcrest Elementary
The Idaho Theatre for Youth recently presented an assembly featuring Aesop’s fables.
Principal Tina Fehringer reviewed the test results for the Idaho Reading Indicator, noting the improvement progression for every grade level from fall to winter. Fehringer said the improvement was accomplished through strategic teaching and reading intervention.
American Falls Intermediate School
Principal Chris Torgesen commended David Halverson for his help in acquiring and setting up video equipment to broadcast morning announcements in each classroom.
Students are expanding their skills by performing mini-plays during their lunch hour and participating in a new writing program in which students write poems and receive awards.
The Watch Dog program is continuing, with a “Doughnuts for Dad” event scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, at 7:30 a.m.
Students have taken two Plato tests this year in reading and math. Teachers are currently learning how to generate progress reports comparing how students have done on both tests.
William Thomas Middle School
The music students held a choir and piano recital on Monday, Feb. 22.
Teacher Terrell Gardner won a technology grant from Qwest for approximately $8,500. The money will be used to purchase two computers and ten video cameras for videotaping lessons for online student use.Jolene and Doug Clinger were commended for the success of the recent production of “Once Upon a Mattress.” Principal Randy Jensen noted that Clinger involves all interested students in middle school productions.
The seventh and eighth grade boys’ basketball season is complete. Both teams saw improvement, according to Jensen, and he thanked coach Roger Thomas for his assistance with the teams.
Hailey Giesbrecht worked with the middle school cheerleaders and was commended for allowing all girls who wanted to participate. There were about 20 cheerleaders supporting middle school sports teams.
American Falls High School
Principal Jeff Read reported that freshman Cherish Christiansen qualified for a national debate competition in Kansas City, MO, and two other students finished as first and second alternates. The speech and debate teams are preparing for district and state competitions.
A record 18 wrestlers qualified for the state wrestling tournament. It was held at Holt Arena on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27.
The Norwest Association Accreditation visit is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16.
Cheryl Koompin, coordinator of “Feed My Starving Children,” requested to use the kitchen and commons area at the high school on Thursday, Aug. 12, and Friday, Aug. 13, for a mobile packing event to pack 100,000 MannaPack Potatoes to send to Haiti.
IELA testing for Spanish speaking students is on the radar. Approximately 15 to 20 non-Spanish speaking students will also be tested this year for comparison purposes.
Academy and
Special Education
Academy Director and Special Education Coordinator Cliff Hart said 17 seniors are on schedule to graduate this year. Currently, 11 middle school students and 33 high school students are enrolled in the program at the Academy. The fourth session ends March 3.
Hart discussed “specific learning disability,” a new process required by the state for identifying students for special education.
The special education self-monitoring team is currently developing a community resource packet that will be available as an informational tool for staff and parents. The compliance report for the self-monitoring process will be due in June.
Students in the Gifted and Talented program are working on projects for the Mars Rover competition.
Curriculum and Federal Programs
Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs Kay Jones reported that pacing calendars for science have been developed for each grade level and are posted in the curriculum folder.
No new adoptions for curriculum are planned for this year due to state funding issues. The school district continues to seek grant money for math textbooks in the current year’s adoption.
A new Hispanic Parent Committee has been formed and met for the first time on Thursday, Feb. 18. The group is planning fundraisers for dual enrollment scholarships, a summer school exchange teacher, and the Hispanic Youth Symposium.
The school district is offering a 10-week class for anyone over 16 to work on English skills using the Rosetta Stone English program. The class costs $20 and allows participants to work at their own pace with individualized instruction. The class started on Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will continue until Wednesday, May 5.
Staff development courses for TESA and writing are planned for this spring and summer.
MTI, a state math course required for teacher and administrator recertification, will be offered in American Falls from Monday, March 12, to Saturday, April 17.
IRI winter testing has been completed. ISAT testing is scheduling for Monday, April 12, through Friday, May 14. IELA testing started on Monday, Feb. 22, and will continue through Friday, April 2. As part of a state study regarding test validity for the IELA assessment, 96 non-LEP students will also take the test this year.
Administrative reports
Superintendent Ron Bolinger discussed a report by State Superintendent Tom Luna regarding administrative and teacher salary raises for this year for the state. He noted that salary increases only came in the form of step increases and lane changes.
The Association of Idaho Counties met with IACI to discuss IACI’s proposed personal property tax repeal. The two parties are looking at areas of agreement regarding the bill since more counties are involved this year due to the inclusion of operating property in the proposed legislation.
The personal property tax bill was voted down last year by the Idaho Legislature.
Luna reported students are making gains in math due to the Apangea math program, but Bolinger said that it is the teachers who are helping to make a difference rather than just the program.
American Falls Education Association President John Hart reported that he had also attended “Day on the Hill” as well as an IEA president’s meeting in Boise. He encouraged open dialogue between the board and teachers during the upcoming negotiation process. Teacher evaluations will be in March.
The superintendent’s evaluation was in January, and the principals’ evaluations were in February.
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