Board Meeting

MINUTES BOARD MEETING

September 9, 2013

REGULAR MEETING

At 7:00 p.m. on September 9, 2013, Mrs. Boone convened the Watson Chapel Board of Education Annual Report to the Public. Board members present were Mr. Hartsfield, Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Barker, Mr. Holcomb, and Mr. Waddle. Mrs. Nelson was absent. School administrative personnel present were Mr. Hazelwood, Ms. Melton, Mr. Branch, Ms. Martin, Dr. Johnson, Ms. Dunn, Mr. Tietz, Mrs. Metcalf, Ms. Williams, Dr. Willis, Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Sharpmack, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Wells, and Mr. Webb.

ANNUAL REPORT TO THE PUBLIC Mrs. Boone recognized Mr. Hazelwood who started the report with a welcome and preview of the report agenda. He said all schools were fully accredited for the 2012-2013 school year and he expects that they will be again when the Department of Education checks this year. He also reported that the starting enrollment number (2895) is the lowest number we have started with in the last five years. He stated that the dirt work had begun on the new Edgewood building. He ended his report with an announcement that there is a working collaboration with the Pine Bluff and Dollarway School district to develop a city wide ALE. Brenda Melton, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, presented the District Mission Statement and Goals. She reported on Staff Development, Federal and State Programs, Supplemental Educational Services, Achievement Test results, School Improvement, Alternative Learning classes, Course Offerings, EAST program, and programs for the Gifted and Talented. Cornovious Branch, Transportation Director, reported on starting the school year, number of buses, drivers, and students served, bus mechanic and drivers training, bus schedules, and expansion of transportation services to serve after-school programs. Natasha Dunn, Director of Special Services, reported on number of teachers, speech therapist, consultants, and students served. Kathy Wells, School Nurse, listed the health related activities that each building had participated in the last academic year. She also mentioned all the new activities that each staff is going to provide in this school year. Ronette Metcalf reported on the Gifted and Talented programs. She reported on number of students served, programs offered, student accomplishments in advanced placement and Quiz Bowl competitions. She also explained how the GT programs are transitioning into a pull-out program at Edgewood and L.L. Owen. Brenda Sharpmack, Technology Coordinator, reported on CIPA compliance, internet safety training, computer-based remediation programs, teacher summer training, new hardware and software implementations, and EDLINE utilization by teachers. Bill Tietz, Facilities Director, reported on facility needs. He mentioned the importance of supporting a millage increase to build a new K-1 building. Rose Martin, Edgewood Principal, reported number of teachers and students at her school. She listed the programs and technology used by her staff and invited board members to visit her campus.

1 | P a g e Tim Taylor, L.L. Owen Principal, reported enrollment numbers for each class and several successful programs like Accelerated Math and Reading, Scouts, Compass Learning, Education City, Learning Institute, E2E, and EDLINE/Grade-Quick. He also spoke about current test scores and different strategies for remediation like the afterschool program. Annie Shaw, Coleman Co-Principal, reported enrollment figures, improved test scores, utilization of E2E and the math coaches. He also spoke about several software programs like EDLINE and Accelerated Reader and Math that are showing high gains in participation. Henry Webb, Junior High School Principal, reported a large turnout for the 7th grade orientation, building and staff improvement, and a continued incentive program for test score improvement. He invited the public to a Benchmark Celebration that is to be held Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18th ,at 2:30 in the gym. Leydel Willis, Principal at the high school, reported that they had a successful start to school with a current enrollment of 714. She said the high school is offering close to 100 different courses including a variety of vocational and career readiness classes. She also mentioned that concurrent college classes are offered along with AP English, AP Science, and AP Math classes. She highlighted some of the honors that our extra- curricular groups have received this past year.

OLD BUSINESS

Minutes. The minutes of the previous regular meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Mr. Reynolds and a second by Mr. Waddle.

Financial Statement. Mr. Hazelwood presented the financial statement for the month of August, reporting $1,610,160.93 in revenue and expenditures of $1,213,694.93 in the non-activity funds, leaving an ending balance of $5,427,686.98. On a motion by Mrs. Barker and a second by Mr. Holcomb, the Board voted unanimously to approve the district financial statement for the month of August as presented.

NEW BUSINESS

Expulsion. On a motion by Mr. Hartsfield and a second by Mr. Reynolds, the board voted unanimously to expel Jaylin McAllister from Watson Chapel Junior High School the first semester of the 2013-2014 school year for spray painting profanity and lewd language on school property.

Minority Recruitment Plan. With a motion from Mr. Reynolds and a second from Mrs. Barker the board unanimously approved the Arkansas Department of Education Minority Teacher and Administrator Recruitment Plan.

2 | P a g e Reimbursement Resolution. Mr. Hazelwood recommended this resolution to allow the school district to advance its own funds to pay up to $1,100,000 of the cost of the building project and to reimburse itself from Bond proceeds for all expenditures for such costs by the District prior to the issuance of the Bonds. On a motion by Mrs. Barker and a second by Mr. Reynolds the resolution was adopted unanimously.

Annual Financial Report & Budget. Mr. Hazelwood presented a summary of the prior year’s revenues and expenditures and a proposed budget for the current year. On a motion by Mr. Reynolds and a second by Mr. Hartsfield, the motion passed unanimously to approve the District’s Annual Report and Budget filing.

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Hazelwood also listed three opportunities for School Board Training that has been scheduled.

New Board Member Workshop Oct. 14 Doubletree, Little Rock Arkansas Regional School Boards Oct. 28 Pine Bluff Administration Office

PERSONNEL

Mr. Hazelwood reported accepting the retirement notification of Helen Boykin. He said we need to consider the employment of 2 Cafeteria Worker Substitutes, a Bus Driver and a Substitute Bus Driver. Mrs. Boone adjourned the board to executive session for that purpose.

After returning to open session, Mr. Hazelwood recommended the following:

1. Linda Jordan as a Cafeteria Worker Substitute, 2. Pearline Rivers as a Cafeteria Worker Substitute, 3. Randy Baker as a Bus Driver and, 4. Leah Wigley as a Bus Driver Substitute.

On a motion by Mr. Reynolds and a second by Mrs. Barker, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Superintendent’s recommendations.

There being no further business, Mrs. Boone adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Danny Hazelwood and Brenda Melton, recorders.

Keith Waddle Board Secretary

3 | P a g e WATSON CHAPEL SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUAL SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2013-2014

Vision Statement

Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to educate students to become productive members of society and live a healthy life. We plan to accomplish this mission by increasing achievement levels in literacy, math, and science and providing a well-rounded curriculum in our schools.

The following goals apply to the entire student body:

1. Improvement of student achievement in all instructional areas 2. To meet and succeed yearly progress as required by the state 3. To provide vocational programs beyond state requirements 4. To provide a curriculum that exceeds state requirements, including advanced placement, gifted and talented, and special education. 5. To provide credit recovery courses at the high school to enable students to graduate as scheduled 6. Implementation of current 10 Year Facilities Plan

Staff Development

All certified staff members will gain 60 hours of staff development during the 2013-2014 school year. Included in these hours will be technology, Arkansas History, parental involvement, health training, literacy and math inservice, special education, data disaggregation, leadership, fiscal management, student assessments, child maltreatment, suicide awareness and prevention, and teacher evaluation system.

Federal Programs

Title I All three elementary schools are Title I schools. This gives all students the opportunity to receive additional tutorial assistance in literacy and math. These funds are used to pay some salaries, professional development, and purchase some supplies.

4 | P a g e Title II-A This program provides for some salaries and additional staff development to ensure teacher quality and enhancement.

Title III This program provides for materials for English as second language learners.

Title VI-B These funds are used for some salaries, equipment and supplies and services for handicapped students.

NSLA This funding is used for staff development in instructional areas, technology and some salaries.

Professional Development Funds are used for teacher training, registration for conferences; and travel, meals, and lodging for professional development activities.

Carl Perkins Funds are used for new or expanded vocational programs.

Gifted & Talented

Students in grades 1-6 are served in pull-out classrooms. Kindergarten students are served with enrichment programs. Students in grades 5-9 are served in pre- AP courses in all core-curriculum areas. Students in grades 10-12 are served in pre-AP, AP and concurrent courses in core-curriculum areas. Any course offered by the college that could count for high school graduation can be a concurrent course.

Special Education

Special education students are served in resource rooms and self-contained classrooms.

All schools submitted goals in their ACSIP plan to include improvement in literacy and math. Special education and wellness are also a part of each school’s ACSIP plans. The scholastic audit is a part of the ACSIP plans at Coleman Intermediate Schools, Junior High and Senior High Schools. Test Results

5 | P a g e We have no schools on the state school improvement list. Our high school is listed as a focus school.

Our ACTAAP results for 2013 indicate improvement in scores in literacy and math. These tests are taken beginning with grade three through end-of-course in high school. The following results are from the combined report which includes all students:

Third Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 76% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

African American 73% Caucasian 82%

Third Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 78% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

Fourth Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 79% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

Fourth Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 80% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

Fifth Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 73% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

African American 72%

6 | P a g e Caucasian 77%

Fifth Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 49% Ethnicity Hispanic 75%

Sixth Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 58% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

Sixth Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 56% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

Seventh Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 55% Ethnicity Hispanic 50%

Seventh Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 54% Ethnicity Hispanic 50%

Eighth Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 66% Ethnicity

7 | P a g e Hispanic 50%

Eighth Grade Mathematics All Students Proficient and Advanced 41% Ethnicity Hispanic 500%

End Of Course Algebra All Students Proficient and Advanced 54% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

End of Course Geometry All Students Proficient and Advanced 41% Ethnicity Hispanic 33%

Eleventh Grade Literacy All Students Proficient and Advanced 54% Ethnicity Hispanic 100%

A comparison between 2012 and 2013 results are as follows showing an increase/decrease in scores. The following results are taken from the general report without special education scores:

2012 2013 increasee/decrease

3rd grade Math 87 78 -9% Literacy 88 76 -12% 4th grade Math 74 80 +6%

8 | P a g e Literacy 79 79 0% 5th grade Math 56 49 -7% Literacy 75 73 -2% 6th grade Math 59 56 -3% Literacy 58 58 0 7th grade Math 62 54 -8% Literacy 77 55 -22% 8th grade Math 47 41 -6% Literacy 75 66 -9% EOC Algebra 48 54 +6% Geometry 47 41 -6% Literacy 57 54 -3%

Most improved area was 4th grade Literacy EOC Algebra with an increase of 6% each.

Correction of Deficiencies

Our only deficiency lies in the area of low test scores. We are taking measures to correct this. These measures include: instruction using professional development for our teachers from a district math coach and Elbow-2-Elbow consultants, classroom walk-through training, and student assessments using The Learning Institute.

Remediation

Students with academic deficiencies are given many opportunities to improve. Some of these opportunities include Title I programs, computer labs, one-on-one with paraprofessionals, and accelerated reader and math. The district has purchased services from Elbow-2-Elbow and The Learning Institute to assist our teachers in improving student achievement. Remediation is scheduled during the instructional day for all students in grades 3-11 scoring less than proficient on the ACTAAP exam. Also, an after school tutoring program will begin October 1, for students in grades 2-6. All of these programs have benefited our students’ with academic improvement. We have seen our highest gains so far and we are striving to continue to improve. 14 | P a g e ACT Scores

The district composite score is 18. We have enhancement classes in the high school for students to better themselves on the ACT. A summer ACT program is planned for the coming summer.

Vocational Program

All vocational courses meet state approval. Students are scoring equal to or higher than state average.

Alternative Learning Environment

ALE is offered for credit recovery. ALE classes are available at the Jr. & Sr. High Schools.

Technology

CIPA – CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT The CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION ACT - (HR 1501)

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21, 2000. Under CIPA no school or library may receive free Internet services unless it certifies that it is enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes the use of filtering or blocking technology. This Internet Safety Policy must protect our students from visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

Watson Chapel School District blocks materials inappropriate for students. Our Acceptable User Policy is found in the student handbook concerning the use of school computers, network, and Internet access. It includes a discussion of cyber-bullying and disciplinary consequences. When students and teachers login to our school’s network system, they agree to our Acceptable User Policy according to the Network Warning Banner.

Students from 7th to 12th grades now have email accounts. They can only email within our school email environment. The state Common Core standards encourage students to collaborate, publish, and present. This will help teachers and students to communicate to enhance classroom instruction.

We have 6 Internet Safety Videos that each teacher has viewed and has signed a form agreeing to their Internet and school computer’s responsibilities. Each student that has access to our computers and our free Internet must also see these 6 Internet Safety Videos and sign a form agreeing to the same Internet and school computer’s responsibilities.

15 | P a g e These videos are:

Cyber-Bullying Awareness Internet Safety Tips - Protecting your Digital Footprint Text Messaging - Heads up - Stop - Think - Click Social Networking - The End of Your Private Life On-Line Predators - Animal Magic Cartoon Computer Vandalism

I-SAFE WEBSITE - Principals will assign someone in their building to use this program to meet with classes to educate minors about Cyber-Bullying awareness and responses, appropriate online behavior, and interaction with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms. This site will have age appropriate lessons even at the Kindergarten and 1st grade levels. This site will have age appropriate lessons even at the Kindergarten and 1st grade levels. It also has administrative reports tracking usage.

Roy Gober, Detective for the Pine Bluff Police Department and Coordinator for the state ICAC Task Force, spoke with our teachers about Cyber-Bullying and sexting during our August staff development days. A district wide parent involvement activity is scheduled for October 1, 2013 at the Senior High auditorium for parents, students, and the community. The Media Specialist has invited Roy to speak to this group about Cyber-Bullying and sexting.

Distance Learning Lab

The Distance Learning Lab is available to students in the junior and senior high schools allowing them to take courses that can not fit in a regular schedule. Also this lab can be used for credit recovery. Oral Communications and Spanish are currently taught to 9th graders. Our distance learning lab is with the Arkansas Department of Education Distance Learning Lab in Maumelle.

EAST Lab

The EAST Lab is available to junior and senior high school students. The EAST Lab will allow students to work on individual projects which are community based. 21 st Century After School Program

After school programs will be offered for grades 2-6 beginning in October. Approximately 200 students are involved in this activity. This program includes sessions for homework and tutorial as well as physical activity.

Extra-Curricular Activities

16 | P a g e Vocational clubs and organizations are available for student membership. Many students are involved in athletics, music (instrumental and vocal) quiz bowl, and/or student publications such as yearbook and school newspapers.

Curriculum

Thirty-eight units are required to be in the curriculum for grades 9-12. Watson Chapel School offers 96 units. All schools in grades K-12 offer and teach all required courses.

Parent Involvement

Parents are always encouraged to be active in their child’s educational planning. Two parent conferences will be scheduled each year. Parents are strongly advised to consult with teachers during these meetings to determine each child’s progress.

All of our schools have a parent center located in each library. The librarians are the facilitators for each center. The centers house materials to help parents and students. Each facilitator can be reached by calling the principal’s office at each school.

ACT 1220

Watson Chapel Schools have formed a School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee. This committee includes members from the various levels of school organization.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers are encouraged on each campus.

Accreditation

All schools in this district are fully accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education and the district has AdvancEd Accreditation.

Watson Chapel High School Accredited Watson Chapel Jr. High School Accredited Coleman Intermediate School Accredited L.L. Owen Elementary School Accredited Edgewood Elementary School Accredited

The district has no teacher deficiencies at any of its five schools.

Enrollment

17 | P a g e Total enrollment is 2895.

Graduation Rate

Watson Chapel Senior High School had a graduation rate of 83% last year.

Attendance Rate

The rate of attendance for the 2012-2013 school year is 96%.

Dropout Rate

The dropout rate is 3%.

School Choice

Sixty-seven students from outside the district applied for school choice.

State Reviews

The Gifted and Talented Program will be monitored this year by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Statement

Watson Chapel School District is committed to providing our students an excellent education. We want parents and the community involved in the educational process. With everyone working toward the same goals, we can provide the education our student needs.

District Website - wc-web.k12.ar.us

18 | P a g e