School Board Reviews Campus Plans, Calendar
Campus improvement plans were heard Monday night by the Quinlan School Board for two campuses.
C.B. Thompson Middle School Principal Michael Tull and A.E. Butler Principal Jaqulyn Cooper presented the plans that are required by the state.
"We have made quite a few changes this year," Tull said. He said that several goals that were already working were kept in place like the writing program.
He gave details of the 13 campus goals including the first that aspires to have 97 percent of all students pass the writing portion of the TAKS tests, 95 percent passing the reading and 85 percent passing on math.
Other objectives include an attendance rate of 98 percent; violence prevention by intervention and conflict resolution;
Administration and teachers working together to obtain meaningful workshops; increase parental involvement and communication by five percent;
Increase parent involvement by five percent through increased student involvement in school activities;
Achieve an advanced tech rating for the Campus Technology Program by spring 2008; increase identification and support for students in at-risk situations;
Increase support and educational opportunities for students that qualify for special education; continue to provide and enhance the Gifted and Talented Program;
Continue to conduct dyslexia screening and provide reading intervention strategies for students with dyslexia; create an environment that challenges and encourages students to consider and pursue a college education or another area of higher education after high school as a serious option and possibility; and
Use various strategies to promote a healthy, active and physically fit lifestyle for students.
Principal Cooper reviewed five goals for the Butler campus.
She noted increased security and gave high marks to the PDSI program.
The principal noted that 40 percent of the students had an adult representative at the campus’ open house last week.
Cooper also said the campus had achieved a two percent increased attendance rate last year.
The five goals at Butler include all student groups will meet or exceed the state standard on TAKS tests; the school will provide a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to learning;
The school will encourage and improve parental involvement and communication between the school and community;
The student attendance rate will improve from 95.2 percent in 2006 to 97 percent by 2007; and the district and campus will provide a work environment that attracts and retains high quality and highly-qualified teachers.
Supt. Larry Johnson commented after the presentations that a lot of activity had gone into the preparation of the goals.
He said a lot of effort was being put out by the campuses and teachers. "A lot of work goes into these, and we appreciate you," Johnson told the principals.
School calendar
Dr. Crosby received unanimous approval from the board for the school calendar for 2008-09.
She said the only change was two early release days normally scheduled in December were moved to January to accommodate semester exams.
Calendar dates include new teacher orientation, Aug. 12; teacher staff development, Aug. 14-21; teacher preparation day, Aug. 22
First day of school, Aug. 25; early release, Nov. 25, Dec. 19 and Jan. 15 and 16; teacher staff development, Jan. 19 and Feb. 16; and early release, April 15 and June 4 and 5.
Holidays include Labor Day, Sept. 1; fall break, Oct. 13-14; Thanksgiving break, Nov. 26-28; winter break, Dec. 22-Jan. 2; spring break, March 16-20; bad weather days, April 10 and 13; and Memorial Day, May 25.
Grading periods will be Aug. 25 through Oct. 3; Oct. 6 through Nov. 14; Nov. 17 through Jan. 16; Jan. 20 through Feb. 27; March 2 through April 24; and April 27 through June 4.
Vision, goals
The board met recently in a workshop session to discuss a vision statement and to set goals as required by state law.
Dr. Crosby presented two compilations of those discussed by the board.
She asked board members to review them and make any changes desired.
The board is expected to vote on them at the next meeting.
Other business
• Unanimous approval was given to a change in a local policy as recommended by Deputy Supt. Dr. Debra Crosby.
The policy relates to student expression and use of school facilities for nonschool purposes. The board had adopted a policy a couple of weeks ago as presented by district attorney’s.
Crosby told the board that the Texas Association of School Boards had recommended that the newer version be adopted instead.
• Business Office Manager Billie Miller gave the budget report. She said revenue for the month of December totaled $1,375,002.58; expenditures, $1,562,734.99; investments totaled $6,585,303.55 with interest earned for the month of $25,653 and $137,250 for the year.
Taxes, penalties and interest collected during December totaled $1,265,690.06.
• After an executive session, the board reopened the meeting to the public an voted to accept the resignation of Tommy Medders.
• The board voted to accept the evaluation of the superintendent and then voted to accept the superintendent’s resignation. See related story.
• All trustees were present except Bill Slaughter.