Rich County School District Board Meeting

Kathie B. Anderson, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 18, 2019.  The Rich County School Board held its regularly scheduled Board meeting on Thursday, July 18, 2019.   During the June Board Meeting, Principal Kip Motta, Rich Middle School, presented a lengthy discussion regarding Policy 314.5 (middle school requirements for graduation, ten and a half credits each year, for a total of thirty-one and a half credits.)    A motion to ratify this policy was passed unanimously by the Board.

Two years ago, the State School Board changed the literacy program, including a very specific template for local school districts to follow.   Unfortunately, the state goals for literacy in Grades 1 and 2 were not met in Rich County.  Due to a lack of improved literacy across the state, the State School Board is allowing the local schools boards to establish more of their own goals.  With only two classrooms for first and second grade students in Rich County, a few students can impact the overall results dramatically. 

Teacher Tara Cornia presented the new literacy plan.   The new plan has been pre-approved by the State Board of Education.  With this new plan, CORE instruction is given to every student.  There will also be small group instruction for students who need a little extra help.  There will be one-on-one intensive instruction for students who are really struggling.  Professional development for teachers will occur in August and again during the school year, with on-site coaching in classroom settings.

There is a new reading curriculum for the 2019/2020 school year for Grades K-3.  The “Into Reading” program will replace the “Journeys” program. The Into Reading program was developed by Millflin-Horcourt.  It is more intensive on phonics.  “Fun-dations” is a phonetics awareness and phonics program that will also be used to help young students learn to read.

Test results from the past three years have been used to determine the percent of growth needed for the state to approve the goals set by our local school board.  Two years ago, the students reached 90% of the literacy goals set by the state.  However, last year’s first graders experienced a decrease in their literacy assessment.  Therefore, the state is requiring Rich County second graders to increase literacy by 8%.  Upcoming first graders will need to increase literacy by 2%.  Third graders have to improve by 11%.  Last year’s third graders did very well, so the incoming third grade class will also be expected to do extremely well.  Kindergarten students are expected to improve 39% because the 2018/2019 kindergarten students reached 100% of the state’s literacy goals.  There is no way to get above 100%.  The formula used by the state would require kindergarten students to reach a goal of 139%.  Since that is impossible, the state admitted that a 100% perfect grade level literacy score would be enough to reach the state goals.  That may be the perfect example of why assessing kids using a draconian formula may not be the best approach.  Every child learns differently and at different speeds.  A “safe harbor” is provided by the state that does not require grade levels to increase if they test at 93% or above.  The state is very focused on getting all students on reading level by 3^rd grade.  English as a second language students are not counted for or against these literacy assessments.

Cornia said that the county has wonderful teachers who truly care about their students and go above and beyond to help their students succeed. Rich County is not unique in having a drop in literacy for 2018/2019 first graders.  This is an issue for many school districts throughout the state.

Thirty eight thousand dollars of state funding is tied to early literacy.  The Rich district must reach the K-3 literacy state goal and one of the four local school district goals.  If the district misses the state growth rate for literacy two years in a row, the State Board will give recommendations and directives.  If the literacy goals are missed three years in a row, the State School Board will take over control of the reading programs from the local school board.

Superintendent Dale Lambourn said we have several volunteers in our younger grades who make a very positive difference.  Cornia recommended that we try to increase the number of trained volunteers for the second and third grade classes.  Principal Motta is attending a National Leadership meeting back East, and is expected to bring back some new and innovative ideas.  A motion to approve the new literacy program as outlined by the State Board of Education passed unanimously.

New Staffing Recommendations:  High School Assistant Volleyball Coach:  Tia Jolley and Burdett Weston have been recommended as assistant volleyball coaches.  (Both coaches have to pass the requirements for State Testing). 

As a point of information, Lucey Morris, RN, from Randolph, will replacement Kerri Pugmire at Bridgerland Technical College.

Rick Limb has been overseeing the new building, grounds, and maintenance, as well as repairing and preparing the existing school buildings and grounds.  The Board recognized Mr. Limb for doing a great job, declaring that he has the respect of everyone who works with him.  The amount of time Mr. Limb has already put in on behalf of our students is amazing!  According to the U.S. Department of Education, the physical environment of school buildings and grounds is a key factor in the overall health and safety of students, staff and visitors.  Studies have shown that student achievement can be affected, either positively or negatively, by the school environment.  We are fortunate to have the expertise and dedication of Mr. Limb.

THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 20^TH AT 6:00 p.m.