NRHEG School Board

By REED WALLER

Staff Writer

Facing pressure from disappointing test scores and new state laws mandating performance evaluation, the NRHEG School Board heard arguments at Monday’s meeting for adding two new positions.

In a report to the board, instructor and Education Minnesota representative Deb Bently detailed the requirements of the new Minnesota law.

Teacher Development Plan

The law requires that teachers perform in compliance to the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, and each school is required to have in place a Teacher Development and Evaluation Plan. This plan needs to include an individual growth and development plan for teachers, insure coordination between staff development and teacher evaluation, incorporate peer coaching and review, and include a three-year review cycle for all teachers.

The pressure comes from what Bently referred to as the “sticky wicket” of the law: that 35 percent of a teacher’s evaluation will be based on assessments regarding their compliance with standards. This means that all teachers will be continually evaluated by both student performance in standardized tests, and peer review based on an intricate system.

And that means some of the teaching staff must be trained to observe. Bently said the NRHEG School-wide Development Committee plans to train four peer reviewers per site.

With the state having imposed all these new requirements with no additional funding, Bently said, a much heavier load is placed on the school principals.

“We don’t see how the requirements of the law can be met,” said Bently, “without a person in a position to oversee it.”

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Several initiatives are already in practice for the improvement of performance, such as Response to Intervention, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), placement of Common Core Standards, Pathway for Literacy Instruction, iPad technology and curriculum updates, and curriculum mapping.

These are all good, but who has time to coordinate them, and are they being executed methodically enough to comply with requirements?

“Our recent assessment scores are a matter of concern,” remarked Supt. Dennis Goodwin.

And now these scores and the results of required evaluations are going to impact teacher salaries and hiring practices.

“Starting this year it’s going to be a lot more difficult to not have a Curriculum Director,” said Goodwin.

“Would this be a new administrative position?” asked board chair Rick Schultz.

“At least to begin with we’re looking at treating it as a teacher on special assignment,” Goodwin answered.

The district would seek someone with a Master’s degree, certified classroom experience, and experience with curriculum mapping and standards review.

This person would supervise the district assessment program, the district curriculum, district-wide evaluation, technology use, performance data, and graduation requirements.

Dean of Students

NRHEG is “significantly smaller” in administration compared to other districts, according to Goodwin.

Years ago the district under former Supt. Kevin Wellen reduced the size of the administration by eliminating the middle school and consolidating responsibilities. But the new mandates are increasing the administrative needs of all schools.

“I believe we need some support at the secondary level in the form of a Dean of Students/Counselor,” said Goodwin. “Most of Mr. Bunn’s days are spent with discipline issues. If we want to be a school of choice and improve test scores, a Dean of Students is needed to allow Mr. Bunn ample time to spend in educational leadership situations.”

No action was taken at this time but both positions are being considered for the coming school year.

Other business

Teri Kormann was approved for hire as the new Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. Also hired was Michelle Mulder, Administrative Assistant to the Secondary Principal, and Audrea Horejsi, Ellendale kitchen dishwasher.

A calendar change making April 21 (Easter Monday) a make-up school day was approved.

A plan for leasing rather than purchasing buses was discussed.

Board chair Rick Schultz reported that the district has “had some interest in the home on the property” (south of the school) which the district recently purchased for expansion.