Regular Open Meeting Brief – November 19, 2020
The entire meeting agenda can be viewed at: November 19, 2020 BOE Meeting
School Improvement Plans (SIP)
The Board heard SIP presentations from the principals of Butcher-Greene Elementary (BG), Conn West Elementary (CW) and High Grove Early Childhood Center (HG). The new SIP format includes root cause analyses and 30, 60, and 90 day reviews. Principals reviewed the results of their 30 and 60 day plans and reviewed their 90 day plans. BG goals include improved instruction and student engagement, and increased family/community involvement. CW will focus on creating a high functioning building leadership team and creating a culture of school/student success. HG aims to strengthen the home-to-school partnership with families and provide students with developmentally appropriate instruction to assist them in preparation for kindergarten and in effectively managing life outside of school.
Fall Assessment
The district uses i-Ready diagnostics to pinpoint K–9 students’ needs in reading and math. The Board reviewed the fall 2020 i-Ready assessment data, which showed that students are performing similarly as they did in fall 2019. Due to school closure in March 2020, the i-Ready assessment was not administered in the spring. The district administers the i-Ready assessment in the fall, winter and spring.
Academic Eligibility Procedure
Grandview High School is considering implementation of an academic activities procedure which would add additional guidelines to participation in athletics and activities in order to promote high academics and standards of behavior. The Board heard a presentation regarding a proposed procedure and had opportunity to provide feedback. The procedure and implementation date have not been finalized.
Bond/Levy Presentation
L.J. Hart & Company, the district’s municipal bond advisor, presented a preliminary financial analysis of the district’s capacity to seek voter approval for a no-tax bond issue. Based upon their analysis the district’s legal bonding capacity would be approximately $74,000,000. The Board also reviewed information on funds that could be generated with various operating levy increases. Bond issues are used to provide funding for new facilities or improvements, while levies generate funds for general operations of the district. Simply put, bonds are for buildings, levies are for learning.
Board Candidate Filing
The filing dates for the April 6, 2021 General Election for candidates to the Grandview C-4 School Board are Tuesday, December 22, 2020 through Tuesday, January 19, 2021. There are two positions available with three-year terms. Candidates will be placed on the ballot according to the order of filing. Specific dates/times can be found on the district web site at: BOE Candidate Filing Dates.