Reviewing Board of Education's Priorities

In an effort to further define the district goals established several years ago, the Board of Education identified a series of one-year priorities to be accomplished this school year. Recently the Board was provided with an update on these priorities. With several months of school still to take place, progress has been noted in all areas and substantial progress has been noted in most areas. Some of these priorities have fully realized.

Academically, we have focused on improving the success of students with disabilities. The district has been directing a great deal of attention towards the needs of special education students. This includes staff development, adjusting programs and services to meet the demands of No Child Left Behind, and emphasizing prevention/early intervention strategies in the classroom. We have also endeavored to follow up with our students after graduation so we can learn from those who were educated in our system. Tools such as computer software, exit interviews, and surveys will all be used to help us learn from our students.

The board identified two priorities addressing quality of life. First, the district has made a commitment to promote and celebrate community service. This board priority has enjoyed great success, as students act both at the local and international levels. In addition to community service, the board is interested in addressing childhood obesity. Substantial progress has been made, thanks to the concerted efforts of the district’s School Health Advisory Council. For details, see the Health & Safety page, linked from the Schools & Depts. heading above.

The board set two priorities dealing with the structures that support school programming. First, the board called for evaluation of both summer and after-school instructional programs. At the end of last school year the administration gathered information to evaluated these programs. We have used that information to adjust programming for this school year and will also use that information to modify the upcoming summer program. Our desire is to concentrate resources for students requiring intervention to perform more successfully on state standards. In addition, the board hoped to establish a community supported After School Program. Unfortunately, the grant funding to support such an opportunity was not available. However, the district has been able to serve as a conduit to a non-profit after school program as host to the independent Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center.

With respect to school climate and culture, the Board or Education is interested in enhancing school spirit. This has been given attention both for students and staff and was recently capped off with a successful project to support the advancement of education in the third-world country of Liberia. Both the community service and team building that resulted from this activity were very positive in promoting school spirit.

The final Board of Education priority addresses advanced budget planning. The budget has now become a standard topic on the board agenda. The district now seeks to engage the community regularly via the web site, the newsletter, and community-based meetings to invite questions and conversations. Furthermore, administrators and supervisors are evaluating enrollment patterns and staffing assignments beyond a one-year time frame. With the advent of the new state “Foundation Formula,” we hope to better predict state aid to further help us with this priority.

Sincerely,

Benjamin B. Spitzer, Superintendent