Glenwood school board hears report from Focus Area Team, learns about school accountability report card

By Cara L. Dempski

GLENWOOD CITY — A group of Glenwood City instructors presented information during the November 28 school board meeting regarding the “Focus Area Team” and the self-assessment tool the administrative team and eight district educators created for five focus areas.

David Popko, Randy Kitola, Matt Lamb, Beth Langreck and Tristan Kittilson, five of the eight educators working as part of the team, provided a brief overview of the assessment document. It covers five focus areas: specific learning outcome, instructional strategies, embedded literacy, student engagement and assessment.

For example, under specific learning outcomes, attribute one is to have goals for students that are both clear and concise. A proficient instructor would have a clear idea of the goals, and would make these goals clear to students. A distinguished instructor would have students who can explain the learning outcome in their own words.

All five instructors present stated that creation of the document is not an “end game” for the focus area team, but is a fluid document that can be changed as necessary to assist teachers and students in continued learning and growth.

District Director of Special Education, Nicole Brite, piggybacked off the FATeam’s update to the board by presenting the district’s report card. The Glenwood City high school and elementary school both achieved “exceeds expectations” rankings, while the middle school was rated as “meets expectations.”

The district achieved an overall score of 75.9 and “exceeds expectations.” Dr. Charles Rasmussen, board president, praised the teachers and administrators of the district for their hard work to earn such ratings from the state.

Superintendent Tim Johnson explained a study done by Hillyard Maintenance regarding the current staffing and area covered by district maintenance staff. Johnson stated there are currently 5.833 staff working maintenance, but Hillyard is recommending six. This is something the board will address again in coming meetings.

Johnson also updated the school board that an executive session would not be necessary as part of the meeting because of a recent injunction to stop a law stipulating overtime pay for salaried employees making less than $46,000 per year. Initially, the session was meant to discuss the district’s plan for staff who fall under the jurisdiction of the law.

Finally, Johnson requested the school board reflect a few moments on what each member finds most enjoyable about serving on the board.

“I love graduation and handing out the diplomas,” Lori Klinger stated when Johnson asked to hear some ideas.

Tryn Gross and Judy Achterhof, two more board members, echoed this sentiment, and said they also enjoy watching the progress of the students and teachers each year.

In other business, the board:

• Approved Tom Stack as an assistant baseball coach.

• Heard a report from MS/HS principal Pat Gretzlock about plans to put tables, chairs, or other furniture in the school entry area for student use before and after school.

• Learned the last day for early registration for the 2017 Wisconsin School Board Association convention is December 9.

• Approved a budget report revision for $145,000 to be spent on debt resolution.

• Scheduled committee meetings for December 5 at 5:30 p.m., a committee meeting (5:30 p.m.) and a regular meeting (6:30 p.m.) for December 12, and no meeting on December 26.