MCCSC school board meeting, 9/22/2015
(The full meeting is viewable on CATS at http://catstv.net/m.php?q=2656)
Board members present: Jeanine Butler, David Sabbagh, Martha Street, Keith Klein, Kelly Smith, Sue Wanzer, Lois Sabo Skelton
Cardinal Stage presentation
Randy White: over $130,000 raised (?) this year
Bring school children to the shows. Mentioned and thanked a number of teachers including Mary Alice Rickert at Templeton and Cindy Creek and Mike Love at Rogers
Thanks from MCCSC
Sabbagh: you said you became interested in theater as a young kid.
White: Yes, I’d only seen hockey games. Seeing live theater changed everything for me.
Klein: You people are so good.
Sabo Skelton: The performances I’ve seen are remarkable. Take a moment and watch a child watch what’s happening up there. It’s priceless what you’ve brought to us.
Wanzer: This is what makes our school corporation so successful…partners like this. Impressed by board and staff.
Celebration of Success (Peggy Chambers)
Outstanding Latino High School Students –3 students nominated by city committee to represent city in competing for state awards. Jody Duncan identified as influential and inspiring teacher. Duncan: These three students will make not just their families proud, but their community as well.
Dr. Boghan Rakic got high school teacher of the year award by IU association of school principals, Philip Daghlian prize. Nominated by Calvin Anderson—a richer intellectual life.
Story from Ms. Chambers: Jackson Creek cross country team en route to a meet, came to a single car accident. Staff, students, and bus drivers came to assistance as a team. Exemplary leadership skills. Provided medical attention. Donny Carver and Thomas Eller helped. Coaches here, students, bus driver.
Coach: we all came together and helped each other out. We were at the right place at the right time. Coach: kids acted way more mature than their age (90 between two buses). Lots more people than just us. Driver: I’m just grateful we were at the right place at the right time.
Jeanine Butler: We always here bad stuff about our kids, but then we hear this. We should celebrate what they do rather than picking at them. Thanks to teachers for leading kids the way you do. And thanks to bus drivers. We talk a lot about them being in it for the money.
Kelly Smith: We’re very proud of you.
Foundation update (Mr. Bunger)
Joshua James, Nicole Bolden, Brian Neary …new foundation board members
Cyrilla Helm received scholarship to attend Lilly family school of philanthropy.
Week from Thursday, October 1, Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee. This is largest fundraiser for Foundation. 5:15.
Public Comment [42:10 in CATS recording]
Adrian Thompson: President of senior class at BHS North. Want to reinforce what I said last time. School start times should be moved to later in the morning. Reached out to president of senior class at BHS South. He declined, said it wouldn’t matter and wouldn’t affect us. This isn’t something you usually hear. Even if it happens after I graduate, it makes a difference. It’s the responsibility of generation to make things better for the next generation.
Klein: Thank you for coming. Only way to affect change, to keep at it. This is in our minds too.
Dr. Lisa Connolly: I’ve had many roles with MCCSC over the years, as a substitute and as a disability advocate.
I’m here to advocate for a 6th grade class of 21 kids. A week before school began, couldn’t learn who assigned teacher would be. The regular teacher was taking a 6 to 8 week leave. We were told we couldn’t have a consistent substitute because of the affordable care act. To say this would be chaotic would be an understatement. Administration will not allow principal to secure permanent teaching staff. Three weeks later, I share that plan is not working. Week 6, spoke with principal. In six weeks, no graded work in ELA, science, or social studies. Nothing to suggest that son was receiving skills. MCCSC needs to have plan in place for temporary absence. How to meet needs in class.
Affordable Care Act should not be impediment to child’s education. Week 7, new substitute and met with principal. Now we learn that original 8-week absence will be extended through Christmas break. I’m disappointed in a school system that makes our principal feel stuck. I’m disappointed in a school that does not make parents welcome.
Superintendent’s Update (Dr. DeMuth)
New LEADS program. They’ll eat in cafeteria, see our transportation. Hopefully they’ll become ambassadors with the real story of MCCSC.
Opportunity to hear Martin Pistorius, author of Ghost Boy.
Sept. 26, Junk in the Trunk fundraiser. Sprout, gardening group started by teacher.
Not one phone call about the strategic plan, but lots of input on the calendar.
Look at testing, which begins in February, March, and April. If we take time at Christmas and back up 90 days, that gives you a parameter. I gave the committee two parameters: 1) Election day off, 2) following spring break of IU. A lot of people come to table and give us input on what would work best for their family. Work session October 20, so board can have recommendation of final two-year calendar before they vote on it October 27. If you keep coming in to try to interrupt, you don’t know the full story. Two meetings this week, one at South and one at North.
Thanks for artwork we feature in board room.
Curriculum update (Mrs. Bergeson)
Report on SAT scores. Same number, approx., took as last year--72%, ACT 33%.
MCCSC vs. Indiana and nation, well above averages of those. Writing mean score dropped a bit. Faculty felt that class last year just wasn’t as prepared. We’ll continue to watch this, we don’t like the trend down. This next year we’ll have a new SAT so will be difficult to compare. Now essay’s going to be optional. No penalty for guessing starting this spring. Vocabulary will be different, it will be in content.
Wanzer: we used to have a critic who would complain that SAT scores are lower than they were 40 years ago. He forgot that the greater number of people taking the test has diluted the scores.
Elementary grade card: We’ve developed a video clip that will explain the card to parents. Have to thank people who have worked on this since last spring. We’re working with company called Media X who are working with Marzano Research. We’ve got it in good shape now to roll it out for this grading period. Thanks to Lily Allbright and Micah Burkee (sp?). Tim Pritchett and Lucy Fischman put together the video.
Traditional format for Science, social studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
Growth based for ELA and Math. 0-4 scales.
--College and career readiness standards, select ELs, then scales of proficiency. 400 ELs, teachers worked very hard on this. 3 is showing proficiency, that’s where we want students to be at end of year. 4 student beyond what was taught in class.
Progress monitoring bar. At beginning. Parents will be able to see where they started, where they are.
Right next to bar, there is a feature called the progress note. Tells parents if their child is on target for this grading period.
Watson: Not only was report card important as communication tool with parents. We have a brand new gradebook, electronic, that teachers are using to make that happen. They’ve had a lot to learn. We think this will be a good communication tool.
Dr. DeMuth: Several years ago, this was a really hot button issue. I really appreciate all the people working on it, this will give parents the extra piece. We explain to parents they won’t have the top of the scale when they walk into the classroom. I think this will result in better understanding for parents. I appreciate time and effort. A lot of people have dug in on this thing and made it the way it should be.
Update on cultural competency (Dr. Hugo)
Promoting a safe and healthy environment for all students. Including LGBTQ, ethnic and racial minorities, students with disabilities. Safe schools online program, all teachers have completed. Emphasizes importance of recognizing bullying, stepping up and talking, and intervening.
Partnered with PRISM youth community and hosted a panel with Glenda Ritz. PRISM youth group providing training to principals and asst. principals Sept. 23. Also, they will provide training in large groups on November 3. Want as many teachers to be in training as possible. Also, on Nov. 3, professionals in field, staff from IU, will come to do LGBTQ awareness training.
Cultural competency on Nov. 3. 50-plus sessions on meeting needs of diverse students. Literacy continuum, LGBTQ, cul. competency, disability issues, income related dispareities, race/ethnicity, ELL.
Sue Wanzer: thanks superintendent for suggesting that this could happen on professional development day. For people who feel they’ve been through this. I would remind people that we all have biases, and that’s okay, and we just keep learning how to overcome them.
Donations report (Klein)
Over $5,826
Personnel report (Mrs. Chambers)
Welcoming 9 certified staff, 11 substitutes, 62 support staff. Barbara Richards retiring. Has been teaching at Harmony.
Sue Wanzer: Do we provide Title 1 assistance to Harmony?
Mrs. Chambers: Yes, this is part of our Title 1 grant.
Kelly Smith: Thanks for this report.
Mrs. Chambers: this is best part of my job. I meet with every teacher, do orientation with support staff.
Contracts (Mr. Thrasher)
Will touch on 4 of 14 that will be of particular interest
1) Great Lakes Equity Center, based in Indianapolis, provides support to schools in cultural competency. Costs are minimal, mainly in connection with travel
2) Dr. Howard—why race and culture matter in America’s schools, referendum funds, $500
3) Jump in with Healthy Schools—Presidential fitness program in elementary schools, no cost to school corporation, data will be shared with Jump In.
4) Internet access during break periods for those who don’t have it in their homes. Over $13,000. [I think this is just for Highland Park—JR]
Sue Wanzer: are we doing internet access for other schools?
Mr. Thrasher: at this point, this is only one, it’s part of a grant.
Wanzer: but we might do this with other schools?
Related to this grant or not, we had talked about
Question about statewide credit association, we contract with them when people don’t pay book rental fee, then association collects money from them. Who pays fees? Us? Family?
Mr. Thrasher: We do, to begin with, we do work hard with families and parents to schedule payments in reasonable amount of time.
Wanzer: people who have trouble paying probably don’t have a lot of money to pay. I know you’ve said we don’t go after them right away. Do we use foundation, do we ever let people write it off?
Mr. Thrasher: If they are on free-and-reduced lunch, they don’t pay this. There are equity issues, I can’t decide who should be forgiven. I don’t even look at the list. We have a reasonably good collection rate.
Facilities, Safety, and Tecnhology Strategic plan (Mr. Ciolli)
Mike Watson, Tim Thrasher, and I met with several community members, did review of our buildings, what newer schools look like, what older ones look like. Big committee. Staff members, administrators, students, community members. This was beneficial, to go into facilities and look at long-term goals.
Goals consistent with MCCSC mission
--facility goals: enhance educational success
--environmentally sustainable and efficient
Safety goals
--communication capabilities effective
Technology
Took these goals that were established by committee members. Walked through buildings and kept them in mind. Energy efficiency, roof repairs, paving, technology. List of things discussed at high schools, Tri-North, Childs (ADA accessibility), Binford
Next steps: hire professionals to establish budgets, develop schematic designs, incorporate strategic goals into long-term plan.
Jeanine Butler: When you present this, it looks pretty easy, but you folks have worked very hard for two years. I don’t think I could thank you enough.
Keith Klein: Obviously there’s money involved in doing all these projects. Do you discuss doing small things or do you go for bigger things that need to be done.?
Ciolli: How do we prioritize? We have to adjust as we go.
Other business: policies being presented for first reading. Changes in fed. Law, coaches one aligns with state or federal code
Sue Wanzer: Food service policy. Person with disability can request?
Dr. DeMuth: We do try to accommodate as best we can, work in cooperation with parents.
Board comments, committee reports
Jeanine Butler: Want to talk about program at IU auditorium, John Lewis. Pleased that we were one of big donors. What struck me was that he was so positive about everything, said we’re all Americans, not one single bad statement coming out of his mouth, This was guy involved in 60’s with all the civil rights. This guy’s amazing, has been in legislature a long time. Every question that was asked, how didn’t you hold resentment. He said, We’re all Americans. I was blown away. If you missed it, it was on CATS.
David Sabbagh: With local and state chamber, flew into DC last week. Main thing is transportation and gas tax. With Donnelly, interesting, asked him question about early childhood education. There was more money out there that we (Indiana) didn’t accept [from the federal government].
Martha Street: Wellness committee has had first meeting of the year. It looks like a positive direction.
Kelly Smith: I was taken back by the generosity of this senior class, cougar care fund, will ask people to donate to that when I organize reunion for next year.
Lois: Thinking about young students who came here and received recognition. We have some of the most phenomenal young people in the country if not the world.
Keith Klein: Grateful to serve. Meeting adjourned.
(The full meeting is viewable on CATS at http://catstv.net/m.php?q=2656)
Board members present: Jeanine Butler, David Sabbagh, Martha Street, Keith Klein, Kelly Smith, Sue Wanzer, Lois Sabo Skelton
Cardinal Stage presentation
Randy White: over $130,000 raised (?) this year
Bring school children to the shows. Mentioned and thanked a number of teachers including Mary Alice Rickert at Templeton and Cindy Creek and Mike Love at Rogers
Thanks from MCCSC
Sabbagh: you said you became interested in theater as a young kid.
White: Yes, I’d only seen hockey games. Seeing live theater changed everything for me.
Klein: You people are so good.
Sabo Skelton: The performances I’ve seen are remarkable. Take a moment and watch a child watch what’s happening up there. It’s priceless what you’ve brought to us.
Wanzer: This is what makes our school corporation so successful…partners like this. Impressed by board and staff.
Celebration of Success (Peggy Chambers)
Outstanding Latino High School Students –3 students nominated by city committee to represent city in competing for state awards. Jody Duncan identified as influential and inspiring teacher. Duncan: These three students will make not just their families proud, but their community as well.
Dr. Boghan Rakic got high school teacher of the year award by IU association of school principals, Philip Daghlian prize. Nominated by Calvin Anderson—a richer intellectual life.
Story from Ms. Chambers: Jackson Creek cross country team en route to a meet, came to a single car accident. Staff, students, and bus drivers came to assistance as a team. Exemplary leadership skills. Provided medical attention. Donny Carver and Thomas Eller helped. Coaches here, students, bus driver.
Coach: we all came together and helped each other out. We were at the right place at the right time. Coach: kids acted way more mature than their age (90 between two buses). Lots more people than just us. Driver: I’m just grateful we were at the right place at the right time.
Jeanine Butler: We always here bad stuff about our kids, but then we hear this. We should celebrate what they do rather than picking at them. Thanks to teachers for leading kids the way you do. And thanks to bus drivers. We talk a lot about them being in it for the money.
Kelly Smith: We’re very proud of you.
Foundation update (Mr. Bunger)
Joshua James, Nicole Bolden, Brian Neary …new foundation board members
Cyrilla Helm received scholarship to attend Lilly family school of philanthropy.
Week from Thursday, October 1, Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee. This is largest fundraiser for Foundation. 5:15.
Public Comment [42:10 in CATS recording]
Adrian Thompson: President of senior class at BHS North. Want to reinforce what I said last time. School start times should be moved to later in the morning. Reached out to president of senior class at BHS South. He declined, said it wouldn’t matter and wouldn’t affect us. This isn’t something you usually hear. Even if it happens after I graduate, it makes a difference. It’s the responsibility of generation to make things better for the next generation.
Klein: Thank you for coming. Only way to affect change, to keep at it. This is in our minds too.
Dr. Lisa Connolly: I’ve had many roles with MCCSC over the years, as a substitute and as a disability advocate.
I’m here to advocate for a 6th grade class of 21 kids. A week before school began, couldn’t learn who assigned teacher would be. The regular teacher was taking a 6 to 8 week leave. We were told we couldn’t have a consistent substitute because of the affordable care act. To say this would be chaotic would be an understatement. Administration will not allow principal to secure permanent teaching staff. Three weeks later, I share that plan is not working. Week 6, spoke with principal. In six weeks, no graded work in ELA, science, or social studies. Nothing to suggest that son was receiving skills. MCCSC needs to have plan in place for temporary absence. How to meet needs in class.
Affordable Care Act should not be impediment to child’s education. Week 7, new substitute and met with principal. Now we learn that original 8-week absence will be extended through Christmas break. I’m disappointed in a school system that makes our principal feel stuck. I’m disappointed in a school that does not make parents welcome.
Superintendent’s Update (Dr. DeMuth)
New LEADS program. They’ll eat in cafeteria, see our transportation. Hopefully they’ll become ambassadors with the real story of MCCSC.
Opportunity to hear Martin Pistorius, author of Ghost Boy.
Sept. 26, Junk in the Trunk fundraiser. Sprout, gardening group started by teacher.
Not one phone call about the strategic plan, but lots of input on the calendar.
Look at testing, which begins in February, March, and April. If we take time at Christmas and back up 90 days, that gives you a parameter. I gave the committee two parameters: 1) Election day off, 2) following spring break of IU. A lot of people come to table and give us input on what would work best for their family. Work session October 20, so board can have recommendation of final two-year calendar before they vote on it October 27. If you keep coming in to try to interrupt, you don’t know the full story. Two meetings this week, one at South and one at North.
Thanks for artwork we feature in board room.
Curriculum update (Mrs. Bergeson)
Report on SAT scores. Same number, approx., took as last year--72%, ACT 33%.
MCCSC vs. Indiana and nation, well above averages of those. Writing mean score dropped a bit. Faculty felt that class last year just wasn’t as prepared. We’ll continue to watch this, we don’t like the trend down. This next year we’ll have a new SAT so will be difficult to compare. Now essay’s going to be optional. No penalty for guessing starting this spring. Vocabulary will be different, it will be in content.
Wanzer: we used to have a critic who would complain that SAT scores are lower than they were 40 years ago. He forgot that the greater number of people taking the test has diluted the scores.
Elementary grade card: We’ve developed a video clip that will explain the card to parents. Have to thank people who have worked on this since last spring. We’re working with company called Media X who are working with Marzano Research. We’ve got it in good shape now to roll it out for this grading period. Thanks to Lily Allbright and Micah Burkee (sp?). Tim Pritchett and Lucy Fischman put together the video.
Traditional format for Science, social studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
Growth based for ELA and Math. 0-4 scales.
--College and career readiness standards, select ELs, then scales of proficiency. 400 ELs, teachers worked very hard on this. 3 is showing proficiency, that’s where we want students to be at end of year. 4 student beyond what was taught in class.
Progress monitoring bar. At beginning. Parents will be able to see where they started, where they are.
Right next to bar, there is a feature called the progress note. Tells parents if their child is on target for this grading period.
Watson: Not only was report card important as communication tool with parents. We have a brand new gradebook, electronic, that teachers are using to make that happen. They’ve had a lot to learn. We think this will be a good communication tool.
Dr. DeMuth: Several years ago, this was a really hot button issue. I really appreciate all the people working on it, this will give parents the extra piece. We explain to parents they won’t have the top of the scale when they walk into the classroom. I think this will result in better understanding for parents. I appreciate time and effort. A lot of people have dug in on this thing and made it the way it should be.
Update on cultural competency (Dr. Hugo)
Promoting a safe and healthy environment for all students. Including LGBTQ, ethnic and racial minorities, students with disabilities. Safe schools online program, all teachers have completed. Emphasizes importance of recognizing bullying, stepping up and talking, and intervening.
Partnered with PRISM youth community and hosted a panel with Glenda Ritz. PRISM youth group providing training to principals and asst. principals Sept. 23. Also, they will provide training in large groups on November 3. Want as many teachers to be in training as possible. Also, on Nov. 3, professionals in field, staff from IU, will come to do LGBTQ awareness training.
Cultural competency on Nov. 3. 50-plus sessions on meeting needs of diverse students. Literacy continuum, LGBTQ, cul. competency, disability issues, income related dispareities, race/ethnicity, ELL.
Sue Wanzer: thanks superintendent for suggesting that this could happen on professional development day. For people who feel they’ve been through this. I would remind people that we all have biases, and that’s okay, and we just keep learning how to overcome them.
Donations report (Klein)
Over $5,826
Personnel report (Mrs. Chambers)
Welcoming 9 certified staff, 11 substitutes, 62 support staff. Barbara Richards retiring. Has been teaching at Harmony.
Sue Wanzer: Do we provide Title 1 assistance to Harmony?
Mrs. Chambers: Yes, this is part of our Title 1 grant.
Kelly Smith: Thanks for this report.
Mrs. Chambers: this is best part of my job. I meet with every teacher, do orientation with support staff.
Contracts (Mr. Thrasher)
Will touch on 4 of 14 that will be of particular interest
1) Great Lakes Equity Center, based in Indianapolis, provides support to schools in cultural competency. Costs are minimal, mainly in connection with travel
2) Dr. Howard—why race and culture matter in America’s schools, referendum funds, $500
3) Jump in with Healthy Schools—Presidential fitness program in elementary schools, no cost to school corporation, data will be shared with Jump In.
4) Internet access during break periods for those who don’t have it in their homes. Over $13,000. [I think this is just for Highland Park—JR]
Sue Wanzer: are we doing internet access for other schools?
Mr. Thrasher: at this point, this is only one, it’s part of a grant.
Wanzer: but we might do this with other schools?
Related to this grant or not, we had talked about
Question about statewide credit association, we contract with them when people don’t pay book rental fee, then association collects money from them. Who pays fees? Us? Family?
Mr. Thrasher: We do, to begin with, we do work hard with families and parents to schedule payments in reasonable amount of time.
Wanzer: people who have trouble paying probably don’t have a lot of money to pay. I know you’ve said we don’t go after them right away. Do we use foundation, do we ever let people write it off?
Mr. Thrasher: If they are on free-and-reduced lunch, they don’t pay this. There are equity issues, I can’t decide who should be forgiven. I don’t even look at the list. We have a reasonably good collection rate.
Facilities, Safety, and Tecnhology Strategic plan (Mr. Ciolli)
Mike Watson, Tim Thrasher, and I met with several community members, did review of our buildings, what newer schools look like, what older ones look like. Big committee. Staff members, administrators, students, community members. This was beneficial, to go into facilities and look at long-term goals.
Goals consistent with MCCSC mission
--facility goals: enhance educational success
--environmentally sustainable and efficient
Safety goals
--communication capabilities effective
Technology
Took these goals that were established by committee members. Walked through buildings and kept them in mind. Energy efficiency, roof repairs, paving, technology. List of things discussed at high schools, Tri-North, Childs (ADA accessibility), Binford
Next steps: hire professionals to establish budgets, develop schematic designs, incorporate strategic goals into long-term plan.
Jeanine Butler: When you present this, it looks pretty easy, but you folks have worked very hard for two years. I don’t think I could thank you enough.
Keith Klein: Obviously there’s money involved in doing all these projects. Do you discuss doing small things or do you go for bigger things that need to be done.?
Ciolli: How do we prioritize? We have to adjust as we go.
Other business: policies being presented for first reading. Changes in fed. Law, coaches one aligns with state or federal code
Sue Wanzer: Food service policy. Person with disability can request?
Dr. DeMuth: We do try to accommodate as best we can, work in cooperation with parents.
Board comments, committee reports
Jeanine Butler: Want to talk about program at IU auditorium, John Lewis. Pleased that we were one of big donors. What struck me was that he was so positive about everything, said we’re all Americans, not one single bad statement coming out of his mouth, This was guy involved in 60’s with all the civil rights. This guy’s amazing, has been in legislature a long time. Every question that was asked, how didn’t you hold resentment. He said, We’re all Americans. I was blown away. If you missed it, it was on CATS.
David Sabbagh: With local and state chamber, flew into DC last week. Main thing is transportation and gas tax. With Donnelly, interesting, asked him question about early childhood education. There was more money out there that we (Indiana) didn’t accept [from the federal government].
Martha Street: Wellness committee has had first meeting of the year. It looks like a positive direction.
Kelly Smith: I was taken back by the generosity of this senior class, cougar care fund, will ask people to donate to that when I organize reunion for next year.
Lois: Thinking about young students who came here and received recognition. We have some of the most phenomenal young people in the country if not the world.
Keith Klein: Grateful to serve. Meeting adjourned.