Mancos Schools Accountability Committee Meeting Jan 28, 2010

In attendance:

AC members present: Jeannette Allen (JA), Brian Hansen (BH), Syliva Fleitz, Nicole Gregersen, Betsey Krill (BK), Danielle Desruisseaux (DD). Absent: Debi Colyer.

Others present: Tim Hunter

Topics covered:

  1. Strategic Plan. Hard copy of draft provided to AC members.
  2. School Board wants format/content that can be adopted/approved yet still be modified.
  3. Important to distinguish between strategic plan (goals) vs work plan (action steps)

BH: Will pull back the six task-force chairs into the process to rework the strategic plan into an adoptable format for the board. Will re-define goals and split out “activities” that are not true “goals”.

BK: Suggests “marrying” strategic plan, accreditation plan, SIP plan for accreditation, and Title I School plan + consolidation grant (due Jun 30) to avoid repetitive/redundant work. Brian agrees, says there are umbrella themes and merging of docs is already happening. Brian wants AC help with merging all these docs.

BK asks: how will success be measured?...So that $ can be assigned to the best/most effective activities.

BH: invites AC comments – any comments – via email on Strategic Plan.

JA: teachers should be part of action plan process. Focus on goals with key indicators – not “activities” prescribed to staff.

  1. Budget
  2. BH explains current state of budget and state budget cuts.

Statewide cuts are $110 million. LastJuneState “fully funded” school districts--with the caveat that 1.93% must be set aside and might need to be returned. Mancos set it aside and yes the State did ask for it back. This year, Mancos is OK.

b. For 2010–2011, our budget down, but PERA up ~$19,000 and insurance up ~$9,000. Unlikely school can afford any increases in teacher pay (no salary increases, no step increases). .

JA: asked for teachers to be on budget committee for input

  1. Discussion regarding elementary staff and class sizing next year, as related to budget:
  • Next year, less staff? One 4th gr teacher retiring, and incoming 4th grade very small, therefore probably just one 4th gr class next year.
  • BK suggests multi-age classrooms in the future “just a thought”
  • JA says good idea but would require lots of teacher training and doesn’t want reactionary classroom environment. Wants stable environment.
  • Paras still needed?
  • Professional development monies might not be spent, for deficit
  • BH says we’ll be fine, we’re gonna get through this.
  • BH promises transparency and communication with AC + teacher staff.
  1. Needs Assessment for Consolidated Grant (Part of Title I doc)
  2. JA: shared 3 basic questions. Asking students, staff, herself. Gathering data as well, to put into plan in June. (note: JA emailed these out after meeting, Jan 29, 2010)
  3. When considering students and student achievement results across your school or in the district, what works?
  4. In your opinion, what needs to be improved to increase student achievement across the schools and the district?
  5. As you think about student achievement across the district, what long term planning or ideas do you have for supporting higher student achievement in the schools?

It was noted that these questions do not seem research/data-based (“considering”, “opinion”, “think”)

  1. JA hands out data sheets showing growth in math, reading, writing at Mancos. Staff using Monday mornings + other PLC time to address this.

BK suggests getting out teachers together with others regionally for feedback

DD to do:

Start posting AC minutes and agenda on Mancos schools website

Post upcoming AC meetings in newspaper

Next meeting proposed for Thursday Feb 25th in JA’s office. 4:00 – 5:30 pm.

Proposed agenda

  1. JA’s data and answers to 3 basic questions (rec’d in email)
  2. “Race to the Top” application (BH)
  3. AC to get progress report from BH re: revisions to strategic plan