The California R-I School Board set the filing dates for candidates for the April School Board election. Candidates for the two positions up for election may file at the school office on Owen Street beginning on Dec. 15, 2015, and ending Jan. 19, 2016. The two positions up for election are currently held by Kyle Wirts and Rhonda Meyer.
The resignation was accepted from high school business teacher and cheerleading coach Mary Thomas. She is retiring at the end of the school year.
The board approved a bid for a new pickup, a Dodge Ram four-wheel-drive, regular cab, full-bed, from Spieler's Inc., for approximately $22,750. The MoDOT state bid specifications were used and submitted to the local dealers. This truck will replace two older pickups owned by the school.
Kate Lootens, who teaches freshman-sophomore English, gave a Chromebook presentation to the board, explaining how the technology helps the learning process in English classes. Among other advantages, she said digital access allows "real-time" feedback, makes it so they can work from anyplace which has Internet access, permits easier and faster research via the Internet search engines, helps with class collaboration on assignments and projects, and helps with the matter of class supplies.
Use of Chromebooks has helped Lootens in several ways - reduced use of textbooks which become outdated, fewer copies needed since the material can be found online, better use of time. She also mentioned that the students improve their college/career readiness. In addition, she said the students are improving their life skills by learning to engage in conversation rather than just talking.
It would probably not be beneficial to send the Chromebooks home with the students, Looten said. That is, in part, because only about 3/4 of the students have computers at home, and not all of them have Internet access. A survey indicated that about 89 percent of the students preferred computer technology for English classes, about 61 percent for science and 55 percent for history. It appears to be less useful for math, especially the higher math classes. For math, more time is used learning how to do it on the computer than actually doing the work. Especially problematical for the computer-user are the notations so-often used in higher math calculations.
Asked what the school could provide which would be useful in using the new Chromebooks, Looten said it would be helpful to replace the desks with tables and chairs. She said rows of desks in a classroom don't work well with the new technology. She has had some of the students meet in the library and found the round tables to work well. Another item that would be helpful would be an external micro mouse, Lootens said. The touch-pad requires too much use of multiple fingers and hands to "click" on something. A mouse is a shortcut for the process.
Darci McFail, Curriculum/Assessment Coordinator, explained the California school Annual Performance Report (APR) results to the board. Because more changes are coming, the APR results will probably not be available in October, as they were this year. It will probably be January of 2017 before the 2015-16 results will be available. For 2015, the school district is fully accredited after receiving a rating of 96.4 percent, up dramatically compared to the 2013 89.6 percent and 2014 87.9 percent. The middle school numbers were lower. With the teachers and students becoming accustomed to the newest tests and changing textbook types, the scores are expected to improve. The school is focusing on specific areas shown by the APR to make necessary improvements for student achievement.
Elementary School Principal Daniel Williams reported the current enrollment at 628, an increase of 11 from last month. The second quarter is underway. The efforts of the staff and volunteer parents in putting on the book fair and Literacy Night drew a good attendance of parents. The elementary building parent-teacher conferences drew 97 percent. There have been 184 new Chromebooks added to the students technology total. At least 10 student computers are now available in each second to fifth grade classroom. Safety training and Active Shooter training have both been provided for the staff by Paul Fennewald.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported 284 students enrolled. The parent-teacher conferences had a good turnout, with 85.6 percent attendance, including 11 phone calls to sixth grade parents. The middle school Honor Choir sent 21 students to the WCMMEA District Junior High Choir on Nov. 7.
High School Principal Sean Kirksey reported 408 students enrolled. The school is continuing to progress in the Professional Learning Community concept. The Student Council has been very active, including taking a lead in the Veterans Day assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 11. At the Missouri Association of Student councils (MASC) Northeast District meeting on Oct. 30, the office of secretary was won by the CHS Student Council. For the next year, plans are to run for president.
The next regular board meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 16.