Greene County students are more proficient in reading and math than a year ago, according to data from September MAP (Measures of Annual Progress) testing.
School principals shared MAP results at the Oct. 18 school board meeting. This is the second year the district has used the MAP test.
Students take the MAP tests three times each year, with their value being the detailed information they provide about what specific skills students need. The effort seems to have paid off, with improvement in every score except middle school reading.
This year’s September data shows 54 percent of elementary students, 52 percent of middle school students, 70 percent of high school students are at the 41st percentile (nationally) or above in math. Scores in reading show 61 percent of elementary students, 57 percent of middle school students and 68 percent of high school students at the 41st percentile or above.
Scores from September 2022 testing as published then showed 52 percent of elementary students, 43 percent of middle school students and 61 percent of high school students at or above the 41st percentile in math. Reading scores were 57 percent at the elementary, 61 percent at the middle school, and 66 percent at the high school.
Attendance data was shared this year next to proficiency data. Attendance was given as the percentage of students who attended at least 90 percent of school days. At the elementary school, 83 percent of students were at school 90 percent of school days. Attendance was at 79 percent at the middle school and 76 percent at the high school.
The district has set 90 percent attendance as a goal for the school year, in line with the Iowa Department of Education standards. The Department of Ed labels missing 10 percent of school days “chronic” absenteeism. That’s roughly two days of missed school per month.
Principals also shared their school improvement plans and their administrative goals for the current school year.
Early in the meeting superintendent Brett Abbotts reviewed information about the voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy that’s on the Nov. 7 ballot. The PPEL is already in place; the vote is to renew the levy for 10 years. It will not increase tax rates.
The PPEL is a combination of property taxes and a 3 percent income surtax. The maximum PPEL is $1.34 (per thousand of taxable valuation). The current PPEL levy in $1.01. Abbots said the rate will not go above the current $1.01.
The PPEL generates approximately $750,000 per year for the school district.
Those funds have been used for building needs such as new roofs on portions of the elementary and middle school, new school busses, security hardware and software in all three buildings, field work at Linduska Field, Chromebooks for all students, non-instructional software (business office, attendance management, etc), playground equipment and more.
Without the PPEL, those projects would need to be paid for out of the district’s general fund, reducing the funds available for educating students, or be delayed or left undone.
According to Abbotts, the district has committed over the past five years to reduce the overall property tax burden on district families; to spend appropriately; to offer competitive wages and quality benefits to teachers and staff members; and to provide excellent facilities for all students. The district is committed to continuing those commitments for the next 10 years.
A simple majority is needed to approve the PPEL.
During new business the board approved the first reading of policies regarding anti-bullying/harassment investigation procedures; parent and family engagement district-wide; personal use of student-owned laptops or mobile internet devices; instructions to the reconsideration committee (concerning challenges of learning materials); reconsideration of instructional materials regulations. The last two policies listed are at the recommendation of the Iowa Association of School Boards.
The board rescheduled the regular November to Monday, Nov. 13, as the IASB annual convention opens Nov. 15, the regular meeting date.
