Superintendent Jim Ruse gave the preliminary testing results for the Annual Yearly Progress report during the regular meeting of the Gallatin R-5 Board of Education held Sept. 17.
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AYP is a statewide accountability system mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 which requires each state to ensure that all schools and districts make Adequate Yearly Progress.
There are three areas of concern for GHS. In communication arts, the school did not meet the goals for the sub-category for IEP (Individual Education Plan) students and the sub-category for F/R Lunch (free and reduced lunch) students. In mathematics, the school did not meet the goal for the sub-category for IEP students
"A small percentage of students is causing flags to be raised because of the nature of the breakdown of categories for testing," said Mr. Ruse.
As a district, the school did meet the goals in communication arts and mathematics for school total (all kids).
Mr. Ruse noted that if a school is small enough to not have 31 or more students in subgroups, then the school is not required to meet any goals in those areas.
He said the state side of ARP would reflect much better on the school. It is the state testing that determines the "distinction in performance" awards in November.
"We are one of 64% of schools that have concerns in one area or the other in the state of Missouri as we march to 100% efficiency in 2014," Mr. Ruse said. "We started with the target goal of 18% proficiency in 2002 in communication arts. We have now migrated to a 59.2% requirement in communication arts. We started with 8.3% in 2002 in mathematics and now have the goal of 54.1%. We will be out of compliance in 2014 because100% of students will not be at or above proficiency. That has never happened in history and it never will."
In other business, the audit report for 2008-2009 was presented by Kevin Hudson with positive comments about the school’s financial condition. The audit samples all revenues, adds expenses, and tests those figures against state compliance to make sure the school is following the letter of the law.
The Missouri School Board Association will hold a state meeting Oct. 22-25 at Tan Tara.
The board went over the 2009-2010 budget amendment, adding in additional stimulus and ARRA (American Recover and Reinvestment Act) federal money. However, that money will have to be pulled out in one year, which, Mr. Ruse said, will create a large hole in all school’s budgets.
The board approved the purchase of a mini bus from ARRA federal funds in the amount of $51,652.. A sum of $60,000 had been set aside for the bus. The left over funds will go to other equipment for children.
The board discussed the situation with fourth grade. There are 56 students in the class. The board is looking at whether the class is too large and if it needs to be split or if there is need for a teacher’s aid.
Mr. Ruse will inform the board about financial conditions as he understand them.
"The budget is based on projections," he said. "It’s not a good forecast when the state economy is 16% under the lowest possible level it thought it would go."
Mr. Ruse discussed summer storm damage. The elementary roof is scheduled to be put on the week of Oct. 19, weather permitting. The air conditioning units are completed for the most part. There are some cosmetic repairs of flashing on the elementary yet to be finished, but by and large the work is done. Total damage from the storms was $279,456.
Bills in the amount of $405,747 were approved for payment. Investments ranged from 2.2% to 3%. There is presently $2 million invested by the school, which reflects an all time high. That amount will spend down to a more typical figure toward tax time.
Next meeting is set for Oct. 15.