NEW MARKET – A plan is closer to being in place.
The South Montgomery School Board heard more on the development of a Learning Prioritization Plan at its meeting Monday in the corporation board room.
Mike Langevin of ES Analytics gave an update and defined what the LPP will be.
“It’s an intentional focus on maybe three areas that we want to be known for, want to be great at, want to be the model for,” Langevin said.
There are multiple steps ES is taking, including surveys, focus groups and even observing the classroom. Langevin pointed to, not just literacy, but the science of reading and it has to be corporation wide.
“The Department of Education has pushed out cohorts for K-2. That’s not going to fix the issue. Science of reading or evidence-based literacy has to be K-12 initiative.”
The three priority areas expand past the classroom and prepare the student for life after their school career is completed.
“The first two buckets, that’s about improving student outcome. Your third bucket is really about improving student opportunities.”
More focus and group meetings are still scheduled to present the plan.
High school athletic director Aaron Charles told the board that Franciscan Sports Medicine has pulled its proposal to provide athletic training. So, Charles is seeking to replace Franciscan, which also pulled services from the other two county schools as well as Attica and Fountain Central.
Charles said he met with Hendricks Athletic Training Services and has reached out to other possibilities.
“I think (Hendricks) they’re very interested,” Charles said. “The big hangup is finding athletic trainers. They don’t want to commit. The athletic training market isn’t the same due to lack of AT’s.”
For now, Charles, some interns, local EMTs and first responders are covering South events. Also, Charles has arranged for visiting teams to bring their trainers to events at South.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Chief Financial Officer Kris Charles the State Board of Accounts audit is complete and that it was done completely virtually.
• Recognized student and staff of the month, including: Teddy Hartman and Rachel Welliever from New Market Elementary; Harmony Norton and Kyle Myers from Walnut Elementary; Tyler Carroll and Jaclyn Baxter from the junior high; and Lisa Castillo and Erin Gilley from the high school.
• Approved BPA National Leadership Conference attendance April 26-30 in Anaheim, California.
• Approved the FFA Livestock Evaluation Team trip to Henry, Illinois on April 15.
• Learned of important dates in May, including: May 3, National Honor Society induction; May 10, academic honors banquet; May 13, prom; May 17, senior scholarship night; May 25 graduation practice; and May 26 graduation.
In personnel matters, the board approved (effective at the end of this school year):
• Hiring Jill Pinkerton as principal of Walnut Elementary, replacing the retiring Eric Brewer. Pinkerton is currently the assistant principal at Mayflower Mill Elementary in Lafayette; resignation of Jake Turner, English teacher and head boys basketball coach at the high school; resignation of Jill Sillery, speech/language at New Market Elementary; and resignation of Josh Mansfield, social studies teacher at the junior high.
In other personnel matters, the board approved (effective immediately): Madison Inman as volunteer seventh grade assistant softball coach; Sarah Fadil, junior high spring musical director; Jake Allard, junior high softball coach; Matt Gilliland, volunteer junior high assistant girls tennis coach; and Crystal Cope, junior high girls tennis coach.
