~from the Sturgis News
At their regular monthly meeting Monday night, the Union County Board of Education heard a number of reports and updates and recognized a number of individuals. Following the approval of the agenda, UCHS Governor’s Scholars were recognized and presented plaques and personnel who had perfect attendance for the past school year were also recognized. Union County Public Library was recognized as the Community Supporter this month.
Students recognized for attending the prestigious Governor’s Scholar program include Chad Gahafer, Bailey Jones, Kayla Sheffer, Mallory Spitzer, Morgan Stenger, Leslie Wempe and Audrey Wheatley.
Personnel recognized for perfect attendance include: William Bell, Pamela Neimitz, Jennifer Robins, Courtney Keeney, Cindy Loxley, Robin Sheffer, Nicholas Wright, Donnie French, John VanCleave, William Ervin, Lisa Smith, Darla Wolfe and Robbie Greenwell.
As part of her monthly report Superintendent Patricia Sheffer asked county librarian Debbie McClanahan to provide an update on the summer Read and Feed program. McClanahan told the board that this year’s program served 2,600 meals and an estimated 4,800 books were read. She noted that 428 individual participants were documented as part of the 2013 program. In addition to the children who participated, the library recorded 1,019 visits to the program by adults. The largest group served was children in grades k-7, with 1,456 visits from that age group. In grades eight and up, there were 307 visits with 0-35 months totaling 213 and ages 3-4 totaling 349. McClanahan said she is already preparing and looking forward to next summer’s program. The program was funded with a $27,000 grant. Following McClanahan’s comments, board member Evelyn Meacham noted, “There is no way to measure the good you are doing and the lives you are touching.” Sheffer told the board, “We value Mrs. McClanahan and all her hard work and look forward to next year.”
In other business, the superintendent shared a video that explains this year’s school theme. The theme “Smove” encouraged staff to smile and move and focus on doing things for others. Board member Missy Whitsell, the board’s liaison with the legislative research committee, gave a brief summary of her meeting. She noted that the focus was on budget, technology, text books, vocational education and early childhood education.
Malinda Beauchamp presented the board with a certificate which she accepted in early August on behalf of the board. According to Beauchamp, the certificate was presented in recognition of the board increasing the compulsory attendance age for the district. It was presented on behalf of Governor Steve Beshear, Commissioner Terry Holliday, First Lady Jane Beshear. The certificate will hang in the central office.
Steve Carter told the board that a full attendance report is not available since school has not been in session that long, but noted that as of Friday, the district attendance rate is 96.07 percent with Uniontown posting a 98.07 attendance percentage to date.
Sherri Collins presented student achievement data which included scores from the most recent round of ACT testing. Locally, ACT scores were down slightly compared to state averages. In English, local students posted an average score of 17, compared to the 18.4 state average. The 17.3 score posted in UC is 1.6 points below the state average of 18.9 and the reading score of 17.7 falls 1.7 points below the state average of 19.4. Local students scored the highest in science with an 18.3 score, 1.2 points below the state average. The overall score for Union County students is 17.7 compared to the state’s 19.2 average overall score.
Collins also provided the board with comparison scores for the ACT using the same set of students and looking at their ACT score from 2012 compared to their final ACT score in 2013.
In Union County, the percentage of students scoring benchmark or better on the ACT also falls slightly below the state average. In English, 52 percent of local students met the benchmark of 18 while that number is 57 percent on the state average. In math, 22 percent of students locally hit the 22 bench mark compared to 30 percent statewide. Twenty-one percent of local students met science’s 23 benchmark. Twenty-eight percent of students statewide scored at or above the science bench mark. Reading scores show that 27 percent of UC’s students tested met the benchmark of 22 while that number jumps to 36 percent statewide. Collins also provided information that compares local students to benchmark criteria set by the Council for Post Secondary Education.
While ACT scores were lower than the district had hoped, Collins emphasized that students did show growth between their junior and senior years of testing. She also noted that the district has put a four point plan in place to help increase scores.
At the conclusion of Collins’ presentation, high school principal Evan Jackson addressed the board and presented information concerning the school’s initiative to improve students achievement. Jackson told the board, “Having a high ACT score can unlock a lot of opportunities in the future (for students). It’s up to us to push students to exceed and succeed all they can.”
Jackson, noted that the school must offer a curriculum that is aligned and rigorous. To do that, UCHS has increased the number of advanced placement and dual credit courses available to students. He noted that 307 students are presently enrolled in these classes. He also reported that students will take college ready benchmark exams every semester, and that some classes will be specifically designed for students who are not on target to be college/career ready. In addition the school will host eight Super Saturdays which will allow students to voluntarily come in for extra help in ACT content sessions.
Jackson noted that many of the ideas being implemented at the high school are coming from students who want to improve their ACT scores as well as prepare themselves for college/career. He concluded his remarks telling the board that 37 staff members at the high school have agreed to “adopt” five students each and will coach them to achieve college/career readiness.
Jim Ricketts told Jackson, “I think it’s a great plan; I really like the idea of adopting students.” Lynda Jackson praised teachers and administrators for their commitment to the program and to students. CLICK HERE to view the ACT Action Plan
Sheffer told The Sturgis News on Tuesday that despite the ACT scores, Union County averages having 61 percent of its students enroll in college. “We are working with our students on taking pride in doing their very best and giving their best effort on assessments. However, it’s hard to gauge how serious the other 39 percent take the ACT test day knowing they are not planning on going to college at that time. We focus on monitoring the growth made from one year to the next with the same group of students. We are looking forward to our students’ best scores which is scheduled to be released in September with the other state accountability data.”
Jeremy Tackett reported that 18 high school students recently attended the HYPE (Helping Young People Excel) conference in Bowling Green and he showed a brief video of their activities at that conference.
In other business, the board approved the financial report and bills, but chose to table approval of BG’s for the Uniontown roof project until MIke Ranney can be present.
Before adjourning at 7:30, approval was given to consent items. Those items included approval of bids for maintenance supplies, transportation lubricants, transportation tires and athletic pictures. The bid for maintenance supplies was awarded to Sturgis True Value, Quinn Lumber Company and Morganfield Home Center. Each vendor offered a ten percent discount off shelf price. The bid for transportation lubricants was awarded to Home Oil and Gas and the tire bid was awarded to Purcell Tire Co. of Henderson. Athletic picture bids were awarded to Lifetouch Photography of Floyds Knob, IN.
At their regular monthly meeting Monday night, the Union County Board of Education heard a number of reports and updates and recognized a number of individuals. Following the approval of the agenda, UCHS Governor’s Scholars were recognized and presented plaques and personnel who had perfect attendance for the past school year were also recognized. Union County Public Library was recognized as the Community Supporter this month.
Students recognized for attending the prestigious Governor’s Scholar program include Chad Gahafer, Bailey Jones, Kayla Sheffer, Mallory Spitzer, Morgan Stenger, Leslie Wempe and Audrey Wheatley.
Personnel recognized for perfect attendance include: William Bell, Pamela Neimitz, Jennifer Robins, Courtney Keeney, Cindy Loxley, Robin Sheffer, Nicholas Wright, Donnie French, John VanCleave, William Ervin, Lisa Smith, Darla Wolfe and Robbie Greenwell.
As part of her monthly report Superintendent Patricia Sheffer asked county librarian Debbie McClanahan to provide an update on the summer Read and Feed program. McClanahan told the board that this year’s program served 2,600 meals and an estimated 4,800 books were read. She noted that 428 individual participants were documented as part of the 2013 program. In addition to the children who participated, the library recorded 1,019 visits to the program by adults. The largest group served was children in grades k-7, with 1,456 visits from that age group. In grades eight and up, there were 307 visits with 0-35 months totaling 213 and ages 3-4 totaling 349. McClanahan said she is already preparing and looking forward to next summer’s program. The program was funded with a $27,000 grant. Following McClanahan’s comments, board member Evelyn Meacham noted, “There is no way to measure the good you are doing and the lives you are touching.” Sheffer told the board, “We value Mrs. McClanahan and all her hard work and look forward to next year.”
In other business, the superintendent shared a video that explains this year’s school theme. The theme “Smove” encouraged staff to smile and move and focus on doing things for others. Board member Missy Whitsell, the board’s liaison with the legislative research committee, gave a brief summary of her meeting. She noted that the focus was on budget, technology, text books, vocational education and early childhood education.
Malinda Beauchamp presented the board with a certificate which she accepted in early August on behalf of the board. According to Beauchamp, the certificate was presented in recognition of the board increasing the compulsory attendance age for the district. It was presented on behalf of Governor Steve Beshear, Commissioner Terry Holliday, First Lady Jane Beshear. The certificate will hang in the central office.
Steve Carter told the board that a full attendance report is not available since school has not been in session that long, but noted that as of Friday, the district attendance rate is 96.07 percent with Uniontown posting a 98.07 attendance percentage to date.
Sherri Collins presented student achievement data which included scores from the most recent round of ACT testing. Locally, ACT scores were down slightly compared to state averages. In English, local students posted an average score of 17, compared to the 18.4 state average. The 17.3 score posted in UC is 1.6 points below the state average of 18.9 and the reading score of 17.7 falls 1.7 points below the state average of 19.4. Local students scored the highest in science with an 18.3 score, 1.2 points below the state average. The overall score for Union County students is 17.7 compared to the state’s 19.2 average overall score.
Collins also provided the board with comparison scores for the ACT using the same set of students and looking at their ACT score from 2012 compared to their final ACT score in 2013.
In Union County, the percentage of students scoring benchmark or better on the ACT also falls slightly below the state average. In English, 52 percent of local students met the benchmark of 18 while that number is 57 percent on the state average. In math, 22 percent of students locally hit the 22 bench mark compared to 30 percent statewide. Twenty-one percent of local students met science’s 23 benchmark. Twenty-eight percent of students statewide scored at or above the science bench mark. Reading scores show that 27 percent of UC’s students tested met the benchmark of 22 while that number jumps to 36 percent statewide. Collins also provided information that compares local students to benchmark criteria set by the Council for Post Secondary Education.
While ACT scores were lower than the district had hoped, Collins emphasized that students did show growth between their junior and senior years of testing. She also noted that the district has put a four point plan in place to help increase scores.
At the conclusion of Collins’ presentation, high school principal Evan Jackson addressed the board and presented information concerning the school’s initiative to improve students achievement. Jackson told the board, “Having a high ACT score can unlock a lot of opportunities in the future (for students). It’s up to us to push students to exceed and succeed all they can.”
Jackson, noted that the school must offer a curriculum that is aligned and rigorous. To do that, UCHS has increased the number of advanced placement and dual credit courses available to students. He noted that 307 students are presently enrolled in these classes. He also reported that students will take college ready benchmark exams every semester, and that some classes will be specifically designed for students who are not on target to be college/career ready. In addition the school will host eight Super Saturdays which will allow students to voluntarily come in for extra help in ACT content sessions.
Jackson noted that many of the ideas being implemented at the high school are coming from students who want to improve their ACT scores as well as prepare themselves for college/career. He concluded his remarks telling the board that 37 staff members at the high school have agreed to “adopt” five students each and will coach them to achieve college/career readiness.
Jim Ricketts told Jackson, “I think it’s a great plan; I really like the idea of adopting students.” Lynda Jackson praised teachers and administrators for their commitment to the program and to students. CLICK HERE to view the ACT Action Plan
Sheffer told The Sturgis News on Tuesday that despite the ACT scores, Union County averages having 61 percent of its students enroll in college. “We are working with our students on taking pride in doing their very best and giving their best effort on assessments. However, it’s hard to gauge how serious the other 39 percent take the ACT test day knowing they are not planning on going to college at that time. We focus on monitoring the growth made from one year to the next with the same group of students. We are looking forward to our students’ best scores which is scheduled to be released in September with the other state accountability data.”
In other business, the board heard from UCMS assistant principal Erica Odom who presented information on the school’s initiative to get at least 60 percent of their students involved in a student job. She described the application and selection process and reviewed a number of jobs students can apply for. She noted that 60 students have applied for jobs and interviews for those jobs begin this week. “Our goal is to develop student leaders and make them ready for a career and the workplace,” Odom said.
Jeremy Tackett reported that 18 high school students recently attended the HYPE (Helping Young People Excel) conference in Bowling Green and he showed a brief video of their activities at that conference.
In other business, the board approved the financial report and bills, but chose to table approval of BG’s for the Uniontown roof project until MIke Ranney can be present.
Before adjourning at 7:30, approval was given to consent items. Those items included approval of bids for maintenance supplies, transportation lubricants, transportation tires and athletic pictures. The bid for maintenance supplies was awarded to Sturgis True Value, Quinn Lumber Company and Morganfield Home Center. Each vendor offered a ten percent discount off shelf price. The bid for transportation lubricants was awarded to Home Oil and Gas and the tire bid was awarded to Purcell Tire Co. of Henderson. Athletic picture bids were awarded to Lifetouch Photography of Floyds Knob, IN.