VSAS
Board of Directors Update
February 26,
2006
When the
board met last
Thursday, the main event on the agenda was the State of the School
presentation
by Education Director Dr. Rizor. It was
an interesting, thoughtful and balanced talk reflecting our school’s
strengths
and challenges. Below are some
highlights:
·
Enrollment
is
near capacity at 137 and there is a waiting list of 70 students.
·
Thirty-six
students ride the bus, and the bus operates at capacity.
·
Twenty
students
(15%) receive special services (the state average per school is 11%
although
the Puna District average is closer to 25%)
·
VSAS
has a paid
staff of 29 people
State Test Standings:
·
On
the State
Assessment Tests (which reflect the federal No Child Left Behind
mandate) we
are currently “in good standing—pending” which means that the results
of our
test scores this year will either give us “in good
standing—unconditional” or
set us in the first step of restructuring.
VSAS scores strong in reading, weaker in math. The bar is set
high. By federal law, each year the
“passing”
scores must rise significantly to maintain “in good standing”.
·
Our
school will
be evaluated by our test scores for reauthorization of our charter.
Fiscal:
·
We
have received
wonderful support through various grants this year: Cooke Foundation,
$60,000;
Atherton Foundation $30,000; The Pratt Family, $10,000; Volcano Rotary
Club,
$23,000; Title I & II (federal) $75,000; and Safe & Drug Free
Schools,
$2,300. Many of these grants are tagged
for specific projects such as facilities, books or programs (such as
the
circus).
·
Total
funds
raised, including grants and fundraised money: $208,100.
·
The
amount we
receive from the state per pupil this year has been $5,600. There is hope that next year the amount will
rise significantly, perhaps to $7,500.
The state legislature controls this decision.
Climate:
·
When
Dr. Rizor
was hired a year ago, his first goal assigned by the board was to
improve the
school climate. Middle school has shown
particular improvement, yet there is still much work to be done. The school-wide implementation of the
“Responsive
Classroom” program is an important part of improving overall school
climate.
·
Critical
to
climate improvement are improved facilities so that teaching spaces can
maximize instruction opportunities and minimize discipline problems.
·
The
school needs
covered play space.
·
The
school needs
more aids in classrooms, and an aid on the bus.
·
The
school needs
a full time counselor (and an office to put him/her in)
Academics:
·
Groupings
(or
pods) will change next year to K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7-8.
·
Teachers
will
“loop”, or stay with a homeroom group of children the two years they
are in
that pod.
·
Teachers
need
time to plan together as a group.
·
A
four-day
student week, possibly with extended hours, is being looked at to
provide time
for teacher planning and trainings.
·
Each
class
should have at least one hour of math instruction per day.
Each teacher should receive professional
development and materials.
·
For
a
school-wide reading program, we need common expectations and language
as well
as professional development and materials.
·
For
social
studies, science and electives, we need to describe in detail what the
school’s
expectations are and provide guidance and materials to teachers.
Facilities:
·
The
most
pressing need for VSAS is facilities.
·
Nearly
every
activity in the school is either enhanced or limited by facilities.
Implementation Plan:
·
The
implementation plan needs to be updated to reflect the first five years
of
operation and to set a path for the future.
·
It
should define
expectations for teachers and students.
·
The
curriculum,
both formal and what actually happens in the classroom will be
determined by
how well the guiding documents describe expectations.
·
The
board needs to
make a strong statement regarding the role of standards and assessment
for
VSAS.
Goals:
·
The
school has
come a long way, yet the board has a big task in continuing to move
toward
stability and academic excellence.
·
Facilities: Both long range planning and planning for
next year need to happen.
·
The
implementation plan needs updating revision.
·
Policies
and
procedures need to continue to be developed.
·
A
statement on
standards needs to be articulated.
·
A
covered play
space needs to be built.
Considerations:
·
Consider
adding
a counselor
·
Consider
adding
a fourth middle school teacher
·
Consider
adding
classroom aids
·
Consider
adding
a bus aide
·
Investigate
creative scheduling
·
Develop
a
contract for the ED
Finally, Dr. Rizor reminded
us all of why we are here. He showed us
a ten-minute slide show of our school – the kids and the many wonderful
learning opportunities they experience.
Our campus and facilities have come a long way.
Our students are diverse, bright and
talented. Our teachers are creative and
dedicated. Our many volunteers are
valuable and do important work. Let us
continue
working together to make decisions that demonstrate a sense of
community and
caring—those qualities we truly want our children to learn.
Thank you, Dr. Rizor.
We hope the State of the School report will
become an annual presentation.
--Dina Kageler,
board chair,
kagelerd002@hawaii.rr.com