Fayette County Board of Education Meeting Summary

January 14, 2002 Board Meeting

Middle School Progress Report

The Board was presented with the Middle School Progress Report, a compilation of middle school data for the 2000-2001school year. During each of the three testing periods, 6th and 8th grade students from each middle school complete the board-mandated Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) and the STAR (Standardized Test for Assessment of Math) Test. During May, students in the 7th and 8th grades additionally complete the Kentucky Core Content Tests (KCCT) while 6th grade students take the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS-5) and part of the Kentucky Commonwealth Accountability Testing Systems (CATS).

The report indicated that Fayette County Public Schools middle school students continue to preform at or above average on both the state and board mandated measures of assessment. Data from the CATS-KCCT shows that four middle schools have already met their biennial goal and four middle schools have increased their scores each year, over the last three years. Two middle schools' scores have decreased over this same time period. Other test data indicated that the district's sixth graders continue to achieve higher scores on the CTBS than their peers from Kentucky and around the nation. Scores at individual schools varied with four middle schools showing the most apparent, consistent gains across five years and two middle schools showing some decrease over time.

From fall 2000 to fall 2001, seven middle schools had sixth grade averages on the SRI that exceeded the nationwide, end-of-year average of 50 points. Eight middle schools had eighth grade classes exceeding this average. On the STAR Math Test, there was general improvement over the past three years.

For nonacademic data: The suspension district-wide decreased from the 1999-2000 school year, but continued to be higher than the yearly number prior to 1999-2000. The trends varied greatly from school to school. District-wide, the number of student hours for students in SAFE (Suspension and Failure Eliminated) increased. The Retention Rate decreased from its high of 9.2% in 1998-1999 to 4.1% in the 2000-2001 school year.

Middle School Director Diane Woods and middle school principals pointed out that encouraging reading and special methods to increase math and science scores were priorities at the middle school level. Board members asked middle school principals to talk about alternatives to sending students to SAFE.

Discussion (Action) Section

Job Description for Special Education Instructional Assistant

The staff was requested to revisit this job description and make suggested revisions in knowledge and ability requirements. This item will be brought back to the Board.

"A Collaborative Stop" Grant

The Board approved the implementation of "A Collaborative STOP; Suspension and Truancy Operation Prevent" grant and created three positions necessary for its successful implementation. The Grant brings together Winburn Middle School and many community agencies to provide a holistic response to chronic suspensions and truancy.

In-House Collection and Processing of Occupational License Tax

Approval was given by the Board to authorize: the collection and processing of the Occupational License Tax as an internal function; the restructuring of the Tax Office to provide for the collection and processing of the Tax; and the creation of a Tax Processing Supervisor employee. The Board requested that the Tax Processing Supervisory job description in the areas of Education and Experience include "a minimum of 3 years experience in a related field with supervisory experience preferred."

Discussion (No Action Section)

Tuition Fee Schedule - Administrative Procedure

The Board requested staff to rework the Tuition Fee Schedule related to the Teacher Waiver section and bring the Administrative Procedure back to the Board with more minimal fee recommendations.

School Related Trips - Mode of Transportation - Administrative Procedure

The Superintendent indicated that the requirement to have vehicle inspections of non-school bus vehicles used for school-related trips or activities was not a requirement of Kentucky law. She stated that the AP would be rescinded and thanked all principals, school staff, and families for their cooperation while this

Magnet Schools and Magnet Programs Review

Board of Education Members continued their review of magnet schools and magnet programs to determine if magnet schools and programs were meeting their goals, if they were cost effective and if they had impacted student achievement

Board members indicated that they had reviewed the volumes of information from the five Public Input Meetings on Magnet Schools and Magnet Programs held on January 10, 2002, from public responses transmitted electronically and information submitted by principals.

The magnet discussion portion of the meeting was rebroadcast on Channel 13 on January 15, 16, 17, and 18 for those unable to attend the Board meeting. The same Board discussion will again be aired on January 19, at 9:00 p.m. and January 20, at 8:00 p.m.

The Board will continue its discussion of magnet schools and magnet programs at the January 28, 2002 regular Board of Education meeting.

Agenda Outline for this meeting | Board Home

Last update: 6/9/2005 8:48:16 AM