Cloverdale ISTEP+ scores on rise

CLOVERDALE -- Cloverdale Community School Corporation saw a year of marked improvements in ISTEP+ scores in 2009-10. Superintendent Carrie Milner reported the results to the CCSC School Board at Monday's meeting.

Milner first praised the sixth and seventh grade students and teachers for their improved performances. Seventh grade general education students raised their scores from 77 to 94 percent passing in English and language arts and from 72 to 80 percent in math. Special needs students in seventh grade improved from 27 to 70 percent in math, as well as a 12 percent improvement in English.

The proposed target scores for English are 78.1 percent and 77.2 percent for math.

Sixth grade general education students raised ISTEP+ scores from 84 to 89 percent passing in English and from 75 to 89 percent in math during the academic year.

Third grade students improved from 80 to 87 percent passing in English and in math from 75 to 82 percent. Special needs scores increased by seven percent in both areas in third grade. Special needs students in fourth grade improved by 13 percent in English.

In grades three through eight, CCSC students showed English improvement in 15 of 18 disaggregated fields. Math showed improvement in 16 of 18 fields.

"We will continue to review and interpret the data this fall," Milner said. "Clearly, we have made great strides to assure that our students have every opportunity to be successful."

The school board echoed Milner's praise.

"I congratulate the kids and the teachers," board member Dave Brinkman said. "It's going to be hard to top that next year, but it's something to shoot for."

With a new school year approaching the board began the meeting by electing officers for 2010-11. Pamelia Hepfer was re-elected as board president, while Donna Fidler is vice president and Tony Hacker is secretary.

However, the process did not come without some controversy, as Brinkman questioned whether certain discussions, such as who would be the new officers, were going on outside of official meetings. At least one of his fellow board members agreed.

"I feel there's been a lot of talking going on back and forth, and I'm offended," Bobbi Nees said.

Milner assured the board members the problem in question -- that incorrect officers were listed on the minutes of a budget document -- was a simple clerical error on her part.

In spite of this, both Brinkman and Nees cast dissenting votes at Hepfer's nomination.

In old business, the board took action on raising the price of adult lunches in the school. The price of student lunches was changed in June. The new price of adult lunches will be $2.75, up from $2.50.

In personnel, the board approved the employment of Robert Rice as high school earth space science teacher and Kathleen Glaser and middle school guidance counselor. In other personnel, the board approved Matthew Langdon as high school special education teacher, Jessica (Suthard) Fidler as fourth grade teacher and Dave Walton as eighth grade science teacher.

The board also authorized Milner to accept resignations and fill vacant positions as needed.