GC school board hears school updates, student proposals

By Cara L. Dempski

GLENWOOD CITY — The Glenwood City school board heard updates on testing scores, events, and facilities, and two student proposals during its final meeting of 2016, held December 12.

Nicole Brite, the district Director of Special Education, presented results of STARS testing for students in grades one through eight. The information she presented, with the help of elementary principal Betsy Haltinner, indicated improvement in both math and reading, though board members expressed concern about the numbers presented.

Test scores presented somewhat lower than previous years, which Haltinner explained is likely due to the students being tested three or four weeks earlier in the school year than in the past.

Board vice president Judy Achterhof expressed her concern.

“If you look at the reading scores, it seems like we’re going downhill,” Achterhof stated.

Brite said she and Haltinner had discussed the lower reading scores, and explained the “Read 180” program the school uses was just implemented this year. Both agreed that the children participating in the reading improvement program landed about where they expected on the scoring scale.

The special education director also explained the test shows an improvement for those students, which is the purpose of the reading and math “180” programs.

Haltinner also reminded board members that the “improved” and “proficient/advanced” scores can be very fluid, as the expectation is for students to be consistently moving from the 50th percentile to the higher averages.

Both Brite and Haltinner noted that the eighth grade student scores, which had fallen off from previous years, could likely be due to a number of factors such as test apathy and having taken the exam since they were in first grade. The early learning exam given to the first grade students did indicate substantial levels of reading and math proficiency.

Haltinner moved on to discussing events at the elementary school and the end of the first trimester. She stated all elementary classrooms met their first trimester goals, and so were rewarded with a day of crafts and extended recess on December 9.

“We let them all loose in the cafeteria with paint, glue, paper, and was impressed with what they all came up with,” Haltinner stated of the craft time.

She stated report cards were sent home on December 12, and she and the teachers were engaging in analysis of student performance evidence and instructors were reflecting on the first trimester in order to plan for the rest of the year.

Haltinner spoke about several upcoming elementary school events. The PTC is holding its annual family fun night, called “Reindeer Games,” on December 15 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the school. There will be a treat walk, Santa’s Workshop, and Santa himself will stop by during the evening.

The elementary concert, “A Holiday of Music,” will be held on December 20 at 7 p.m. Haltinner said the students have been working hard to have a program ready.

Patrick Gretzlock, the middle and high school principal, continued the administrative reports after Haltinner, and provided information on November discipline reports. Gretzlock said there were 15 referrals to his office last month, nine of which were for student aggression.

“Aggression doesn’t always mean a student is fighting,” Gretzlock informed the board. “Often it relates to a student playing a little too rough, or getting carried away with physical actions.”

The middle and high school principal also told the board one student has been tardy a significant number of times this year. He explained he usually just has to call home to speak with a parent or guardian in order for the issue to be resolved.

Gretzlock also informed the board of his investigation into new courses for students. David Popko, one of the district English instructors, has approached Gretzlock about the possibility of having an advanced-placement English class for high school students.

The principal stated one high school student, Kaylie Scalze, is already taking an online advanced English course. He stated he is not asking for the board’s decision on creating the program immediately, but did ask them to consider the matter.

He also informed the board there are two students participating in a work-study program, which allows them time to learn practical skills for future careers, and was wondering if that could be expanded upon.

Superintendent Tim Johnson spoke about the compensation model update, something he had discussed with other Dunn-St. Croix superintendents at a recent meeting, but said he was not ready for a full presentation at the meeting. He also provided a brief update of upcoming legislative topics, such as addressing the teacher shortage and expanding the voucher program.

Johnson updated the board on final items to address in the physical plant and security of the school facilities. He informed board members that there was a fire call to the school last week after someone burned bacon in one of the high school classrooms and then an alarm went off when a technician for the heating/cooling system tested one of the units, which generated smoke that filtered into several high school classrooms.

During the meeting, several members of the high school student body presented ideas for a new club and a senior class trip. Jake Wittmer and Jacob Logghe have been working with agriculture teacher Shane VanderWaal on researching an Ice Fishing club.

Wittmer explained he and Logghe wanted a club where students could learn, or expand on previous knowledge, about a task that can become a lifelong hobby, and have done research in the hopes of creating a club at Glenwood City High School. During the course of their research, the duo found the webpage of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association.

The WIFA page indicated there are 80 Wisconsin schools with ice fishing teams, including Amery, New Richmond, Prairie Farm and Unity. Board members seemed intrigued and impressed by the idea.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Achterhof stated.

Board president, Dr. Charles Rasmussen, asked if the school would need to hold its own tournament if participating, and Wittmer said it was not necessary to hold a tournament, but if they did decide to, all they would need to do is post the information on the WIFA site inviting other schools to participate.

Johnson stated the board would not need to make a decision during the December 12 meeting, but wanted them to be aware of it for a future vote.

Logghe was then joined by his fellow senior class officers, Spencer Peterson, Kaylie Scalze and Tia Carlson, to propose an overnight senior trip to Chicago in April 2017.

Carlson, the class vice president, said the class of 2017 has more money in its coffers than previous classes, which led to the idea that an overnight trip to Chicago would be possible. All four officers explained the plans for paying for food and transportation, lodging and entertainment.

Again, the board was informed no decision was necessary at the meeting, but Rasmussen stated he was impressed with the thought and planning put into the proposal and he hoped to be able to vote on the trip soon.

During the rest of the open session, the board:

• Approved adding Kristina Monson to the list of substitute paraprofessionals.

• Approved Betsy Malean as a substitute bus driver.

• Approved Gabby Peterson and Bruce Peterson as volunteer girls basketball coaches.

The board then entered closed session to discuss administrative contract renewal and non-renewal notices. Superintendent Johnson later stated no action was taken during the closed session.