Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Test scores up at PHS

Scores on standardized tests have improved, according to Willie Wilson, dean of students at Prescott High School.

Wilson told the Prescott School Board, at its regular monthly meeting Aug. 16, the test scores for the targeted subgroups (African-Americans and the Free and Reduced Lunch students) improved. These results, he said, show the district is heading in the right direction.

In his report, Wilson said about 200 parents and students attended the Open House, held Monday, Aug. 16. Schedules were given to the parents so they'd know what classes their children will be taking this year. Most parents talked with their children's teachers.

The parent involvement committee is meeting, and will include representatives from all subgroups. The focus of this panel is to devise a perspective, from the parent's point of view, and create a plan to improve standardized test scores.

The district is changing its remediation rules, he said. Prescott High School Principal Carroll Purtle established a committee to address the situation and develop a remediation program.

Under the program, students who score below the proficient level on the end of course exams will be remediated, as will those who have grades of "D" and "F" by the end of the first nine weeks.

The remedial class will be 25 minutes between fifth and sixth periods. To provide incentive for the students involved, those who score at or above proficient will be allowed to participate in teacher supervised "fun stuff". The fun stuff, Wilson said, will incorporate some form of academics.

The remedial class is not required by law, but is being implemented by the district to help improve the grades of borderline students.

The Board approved a budget for the 2005 fiscal year. The district anticipates revenue of $6,824, 715.50 for the fiscal year (which runs from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005). Added to the beginning balance the district had at the start of July, the district anticipates having $7,769,941.96 available.

The district's anticipated expenditures total $6,719,441.96, which would leave an anticipated ending balance of $1,050,500.

The expenditure budget includes a teacher salary fund of $3,590,280.05, salaries from the operating fund at $689,869.06; benefits in the amount of $982,373.86; and other expenses totaling $1,080,117.61.

The district's bond service debt is anticipated at $376,801.38.

Agnes Morrow presented the report for the Prescott District Educational Association (PDEA), saying there were 21 at an executive committee luncheon and this meant a lot to the new teachers on board.

The executive committee, she said, planned activities for the 2004-2005 academic year. Activities will include Read Across America and participating in the Nevada County Fair Parade.

Shirts were ordered for PDEA members and the bylaws are being addressed for the first time since 1964.

Morrow introduced Christy O'Neal, a new teacher in the district, saying she plans on introducing a new teacher to the board at each month's meeting.

O'Neal grew up in Antoine, graduated from Delight High School and has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State University. She will be teaching art and social studies on the fourth grade level.

James Cannon talked about being president of the Arkansas Career and Teachers Education organization. He represents Prescott as the state president, which, he said, will give him the opportunity to visit with directors of others in workforce education and be involved with making vocational education decisions.

"I'm honored to have this position and will work to help the students," he said. "I will be working with the legislature during the upcoming session on education issues."

Additionally, Cannon will serve on the national career teacher education board as the Arkansas president.

The Board agreed to participate in the Texas-Arkansas Purchasing System (TAPS), which will allow the district to make bulk purchases of items at reduced costs, much like commercial shopping clubs. Prescott is joining through the Dawson Education Cooperative in Arkadelphia.

The district is under no obligation to make any purchases through TAPS, but can if it so chooses.

TAPS vendors are granted contracts competitively awarded in accordance with the laws of Arkansas and Texas, agreeing to provide the best pricing, terms and conditions available to similar customers.

There are no membership fees as the cost of operating TAPS is through actual sales made and paid by the participating vendors. No tax dollars are involved supporting TAPS.

The Board addressed contracting services for occupational and psychological therapy. As board member Jeff Haynes was a bidder, he recused himself from the discussion.

The discussion was brief as the Board accepted the recommendation of Regina Weiner on retaining the occupational therapy services of Haynes Sports Therapy, and the psychological services of Charles A. Weiner, P.A.