Jasper County Schools
Meeting Minutes
Printed : 3/5/2017 3:52 PM EST / JCPS SGT Meeting
02/28/2017 06:00 PM
media center
JCPS
495 Hwy 212 West Monticello, Ga. 31064

No Attendees

  1. Call to Order
  1. Pledge and Invocation

Members present: Pam Edge, Regina Nance (SGT chair), Laurie Robinson, Jerome McClain, Misty Ledford, and JehanEljourbagy. Dr. Kristi Boorks was present for our meeting to discuss start and dismissal times as the PS.

  1. Approval of the Agenda (Action)

The minutes were reviewed and the motion was made by Laurie Robinson to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. McClain seconded the motion that the minutes be approved from 1.30.17 as presented and the motion was passed.

  1. Approval of past minutes from Dec. Meeting.

The minutes were reviewed and the motion was made by Laurie Robinson to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. McClain seconded the motion that the minutes be approved from 1.30.17 as presented and the motion was passed.

  1. Discussion about upcoming vacancies and use by-laws for election process

There was some discussion about the upcoming elections. We will need at least 2 members to replace Jerome McClain and Misty Ledford. They have served on the SGT for one year. They served on the School Council for 2 years. All SGT members will begin to speak to the community about potential SGT nominations. A flyer will go home with students after Spring Break explaining what the SGT does. An article will go in the paper about SGT nominations and on the JCPS webpage. Nominations can be made between April 10th and April 21st. The election will take place on May 19th during the Awards Program. JehanEljourbagy suggested we vote electronically. Mrs. Edge will experiment with Vote Up and Kahoot which are two electronic platforms for voting. We will practice with these sites during our March meeting. Any person interested in serving on the SGT for FY 18 will need to contact Mrs. Edge in writing. We will ask Pam Meyer to put what SGT is and how nominations can be made for the JCPS SGT. Mrs. Edge will need to appoint one teacher member. Mrs. Robinson is coming off the SGT and she is teacher leader that was appointed by the principal. She will have that name at the March meeting.

  1. Principal's Report
  1. Monthly Attendance Report
  1. Attendance data

The attendance data was shared. Attendance has been down due to the flu.

  1. Charter System Application

Mrs. Edge shared the website information about the Charter Foundation.

  1. Literacy Report/ Updates
  1. Review MAP data (measures of academic progress) for Winter 1st and 2nd grade
  1. MAP data

A discussion was held about the MAP data and how we compare nationally. The scores on the chart for the 2017 FY target reflect the percentage of students at the 50th percentile. The scores for the Fall 2017 and Winter performance are the percentage of students at the 67th percentile ranking or above. The reason this percentile score was used... to make a 3 or better on Milestones, a student must fall at the 67th percentile to have a chance at making a 3 or higher. A discussion was held how rigorous this assessment is and how we are preparing at the PS for such an assessment. The numbers that Mrs. Edge had in the chart that were handwritten were the percentage of students at the 50th percentile or greater. Mrs. Edge explained that we gave the K-2 version that was read to the students. We must decide at the PS if we will give the 2-5 version that is not read to our 2nd graders next year. She will get with other counties that give MAP to see how they handle the 2nd grade test. Growth is for sure being made with our students. We want to share with the Board the percentage of students that are meeting their expected growth. A discussion was held about Keenville which will be the new assessment for 1st and 2nd grade for FY 18. This assessment will be on the computer and in a game format.

  1. Mathematics Report/Updates
  1. Review MAP data (measures of academic progress) for Winter 1st and 2nd grade
  1. MAP data

A discussion was held about the MAP data and how we compare nationally. The scores on the chart for the 2017 FY target reflect the percentage of students at the 50th percentile. The scores for the Fall 2017 and Winter performance are the percentage of students at the 67th percentile ranking or above. The reason this percentile score was used... to make a 3 or better on Milestones, a student must fall at the 67th percentile to have a chance at making a 3 or higher. A discussion was held how rigorous this assessment is and how we are preparing at the PS for such an assessment. The numbers that Mrs. Edge had in the chart that were handwritten were the percentage of students at the 50th percentile or greater. Mrs. Edge explained that we gave the K-2 version that was read to the students. We must decide at the PS if we will give the 2-5 version that is not read to our 2nd graders next year. She will get with other counties that give MAP to see how they handle the 2nd grade test. Growth is for sure being made with our students. We want to share with the Board the percentage of students that are meeting their expected growth. A discussion was held about Keenville which will be the new assessment for 1st and 2nd grade for FY 18. This assessment will be on the computer and in a game format.

  1. SGT Professional Learning
  1. Continuous Improvement Plans and understanding process for school improvement planning, goal setting and monitoring- PL for this month

We discussed our CIP at length at our last meeting. The SGT is reminded that this is a continuous improvement plan that is always being added to and improved upon.

  1. Other professional learning for the SGT for the remainder of the year

The SGT will help Mrs. Edge with the hiring of the AP. She will discuss their partnership with her on selecting the AP for JCPS. Mrs. Edge will share with them via email the responsibilities of the AP with the official job description of the AP as well as specific duties unique to the AP at JCPS. The SGT will help with interviews of the candidates she selects to interview. They will have a rubric to use for the interviews and then help with the final choices for Mrs. Edge to then select from. Mrs. Edge values the opinions of the SGT and wants their input in the final candidates.

  1. Professional learning for the month- personnel and recommendations for hiring- what is needed for JCPS
  1. SGT Chair Report
  1. New Business
  1. AdvancedED visit in May (7th-10th)
  1. Mission and Vision

The vision and mission were shared.

  1. Facility needs/wants future plans

The list was reviewed and shared with the BOE.

  1. Review of Continuous Improvement Plan- Draft form and JCPS non-negotiables
  1. Flexible Service Models

Mrs. Edge explained the FSM and how we are addressing specific needs in reading and math through these models. Students are getting 45 min in both reading and math each week according to their leveled RIT band. This may mean moving to an additional grade level continuum if needed.

  1. BOE meeting and Chairs will attend

Ms. Nance shared the protocol she is using to share concerns, ideas, and general comments with the Board. She takes bulleted items from the meeting and puts them in the attached template. She then sends them to Dr. Newton who in turns shares them with the Board monthly. The SGT chair will attend the Board meeting quarterly or as needed to share the items in person.

  1. SGT Budget Items- BST developed and need SGT discussion

Mrs. Edge will share this at the March meeting. She did explain to the Board that the Board was committed to getting back to 180 student days.

  1. Dr. Kristi Brooks- Discussion on the Start of School Times and Dismissal Times

Dr. Brooks did present the question to the SGT about their happiness or concerns about start and dismissal time. She explained that if we let out later that would allow HS students to help out with younger kids at the PS or WP and allow for buses to assist with athletic events. The HS students who are leaving for events are missing seat time and value class time. The SGT at the PS did not have any issues with our present end and start time. They did express concern about delaying the start to school with our working parents and that so many worked out of town. The teachers were worried about how tired the PS students are after lunch. Mrs. Edge did share research about the fact that MS and HS students should not start school early. Again, the PS likes our current time and did not see a need to change the times. The parents on the SGT were more concerned with how long buses are running and the times our students get on buses and get off buses. They would like to see these times improve. Dr. Brooks suggested that the Board analyze the bus routes and see if this could be improved.

**While Mrs. Brooks was here there was discussion about the summer camps and the cost. Mrs. Edge explained with Dr. Brooks that there are 10 camps that would run between June 6th and the 29th - Tuesday through Thursday. All HS camps and summer school (remediation) would take place at the HS roughly between 8:00 and 1:30. Parents will get a list of camps and have an opportunity to sign up. There will be an application process. All camps will be free. Mrs. Edge will be able to have a summer school for students who are close to passing and need extra remediation and acceleration. This will be by invitation.

**The SGT also had concerns about the nutritional program and what they are being fed.

  1. Calendar questions for FY 18

Mrs. Edge explained that there will be 2 versions of the calendar for them to review via email. They will be able to vote on the calendar of their choice. Also, the SGT expressed concerns about keeping calendars consistent through the years and also trying to coordinate athletics and events with half days and long weekends.

  1. Old Business
  1. Beginning discussion on JCPS Code of Conduct

Mrs. Edge asked the SGT to read the Code of Conduct and make notes to discuss at the March 28th meeting.

  1. Adjournment

With no other new business, Mr. McClain made a motion to adjourn the meeting and a second was given by Mrs. Robinson. All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.