Carmichaels Area School District meets state’s goals
CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Area School District Superintendent Craig Baily said this week that the district met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2009 to 2010 school year. Although the complete Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test scores will not be released for a few weeks, he told the board that the district met all benchmarks for AYP in both math and reading. Last year, a special education reading group was in the “warning” category.
“We’re extremely excited,” Baily said. “Everyone stepped up to the plate this past year. There are always ways to improve, but we met the benchmarks.”
Baily said the bar with be set higher, by 10 points, next year, with every student testing as proficient by 2014. In 2014, he said the state will see a big change with end-of-course Keystone Exams, which will test students’ proficiency in specific subjects. Baily told the board that the district will have to tweak the curriculum for 2014. Junior-senior high school Principal John Menhart said teachers would begin preparation for the Keystone Exams this year. He said they also have reconstructed PSSA instruction to utilize 30 minutes each morning. He added that the district made AYP because the teachers make the difference.
Board President Edmond McIntire said the board is very appreciative of the teachers and students.
“Thank you for bringing us where we needed to be,” he said.
In a personnel move, the district voted to create an office aide position. The board disagreed on the job description for the 180-day position, which does not offer benefits. Director Melodie Berardi requesting that the position be changed to full time.
The board voted to add 20 days to the position, making it a 200-day position with no benefits.
The board hired Jaclyn Ferrell to fill the position, which pays $12.14 an hour.
The board also accepted, with regret, the resignation of English teacher David Bates. The Jefferson-Morgan School District hired Bates to serve as high school principal.
Board members also approved an agreement with Energy Corp. of America. The company will help the elementary school develop a student wellness program. Elementary school Principal Rob Cole said the company could potentially fund a walking trail and added that the chief executive officer of the company will be visiting the elementary school to view the plans.
Cole said that for the first time, the elementary school will be hosting a health and safety fair during open house. The fair will be held in the multipurpose room.
In other business, Baily said the feasibility study committee will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Carmichaels Area High School library.