CALIFORNIA, Mo. - The California School District's counseling program completed its own manual and, at the same time, dramatically improved its assessment rating.
The counseling staff made its annual report to the California Board of Education on Feb. 15.
The counseling program received good marks on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's MSIP standards assessment for its grade level and building programs, but it was lacking a manual in the past, high school counselor Kimberly Wilkins said.
The program went from a 67 percent rating in the 2013-14 school year to this year's 95 percent.
To improve the final 5 percent to reach the counseling staff's goal of 100 percent in this voluntary program, Wilkins said, they will improve the referral process and its follow-up.
The counseling staff would like to earn the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Missouri Gysbers Success Designation.
Each counselor reported on her level's programs to the board.
Tawnya Clause, who works with the kindergarten through second-grade students, noted the newly created Data Room at the elementary school has helped their work, as well as the teachers. She instituted a community service project, where students build welcome bags for new students to the district.
Christiane Goans works with the upper elementary grades and has focused on informal personality and career-style assessments to help students take a look at their strengths and where they might apply well.
At the middle school, Marcia Bibb reported they have instituted electronic personal plans of study for eighth-graders, as well as implemented an improved bullying policy.
High school counselors Wilkins and Whitney Toosley noted they have held individual conferences with each of the students in grade 9-11 and have met with the seniors in small groups to provide information. They also were pleased to report a successful College and Career Week in the fall, including a career day, financial aid preparation and scholarship informational meetings.
The school board also approved the use of Old Riley Field by Sonic manager David Wyatt and the semi-professional football team, the Central Missouri Storm, which he has organized. The team has been practicing on the field twice a week and will host its five home games there this season.
In other business, the board:
Awarded a diploma through the Missouri Options program to Nathan Garriott.
Accepted the resignations of Lana Dicus, retiring as a Title I teacher with nine years in California and 42 total, and Randy Hall-Jones, second-grade teacher.
Heard the employee insurance plan will increase by 5 percent with the expectation of another 5 percent increase next year. The district has capped its contribution to $425 per employee.