Published: June 26, 2009 10:13 am      

Academic Assistance program receives praise

At the June 15 Pella School Board meeting, board members were given information on the district’s at-risk programs. At-risk programs are aimed at helping those students, who score poorly on the Iowa Tests of Education Development and the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, improve their skills. Students can also be referred to the program for other reasons.

In the 2008-09 school year, there were 60 total students who worked with the high school at-risk coordinator. Assistance is only offered to freshmen and sophomores. Those who are not proficient in reading are recommended. Part of the goal is to make the children proficient before they enter their junior year.

To make the determination to whom help should be offered, the district relies on data it collects. Board member Myron Linn thinks this is a good idea.

“It’s highly valuable,” he said. “This is really top-drawer stuff.” Fellow board member Chad Ver Steeg has seen the difference these programs can make.

“The confidence they gain because of this, that’s going to slingshot them when they’re juniors and seniors,” Ver Steeg said. He went on to say that the students gain confidence and a sense they can achieve. “It’s a big deal. These educators are trying stuff outside the box,” Ver Steeg added. “We try to hire the right people,” Superintendent Mark Wittmer said. “I can’t say enough good about what they’ve done.”

Placement in the program is voluntary. The district sends notices to parents of students who will enter the ninth grade in the fall, to recommend their inclusion in the program. Parents have a right to decline. In other board business, teachers Robin Hammond and Dack Rasmussen gave the board a presentation regarding Rigor and Relevance. As Iowa begins to define its core curriculum, rigor and relevance of material taught are expected to play a greater role. Teachers have taken training in this area and are sharing their knowledge with other staff members.

Education is divided into four areas, ranging from the most simple aspect of education, the acquisition of knowledge, to a highly rigorous, highly relevant program. One of the goals of the new program is to get the students to think more critically.

Classes will see more levels of overlap as rigor and relevance progresses. Students can take what they learn in one class and apply it in another. Teachers are spending more time calculating how they can evaluate students and assess their needs. Pella High School Principal Mark Lee calls this analysis a “huge step.”

Other school board notes:

-No comments were received during a public hearing regarding parking lot specifications. The district plans to pave the area on the north side of the parking lot and extend toward the football field at PHS. This is the first phase of the project. TK Concrete was then awarded the contract for this phase, in the amount of $101,481. Wittmer told the board he thought the total project would cost approximately $400,000, and he is glad that over half of the work will be done for nearly one-fourth that amount. It will be for with Physical Plant and Equipment Levy funds.

-The district’s dues for membership in the Iowa Association of School Boards went up 8 percent this year, without explanation. Wittmer is trying to get a reason for the increase from the IASB, but he believes it may be because Pella’s enrollment has not declined, unlike many other districts in the state. The board took no action on this item, pending a response from the IASB.

-Value Inspired Products and Services of Cedar Rapids was awarded a contract for new risers in the high school music department. The bid was $16,550.

-A new, 20-hour custodial position was created. This was done to help eliminate some overtime costs. Contracts with existing full-time custodians have overtime written into them. These employees also have the option of taking compensatory time, or time off, but when this is done, the work still remains. Wittmer said eliminating overtime from future contracts is “on the radar,” and it may be brought to the board for consideration.

-Approved food service fees for 2009-10. Meal prices will increase by 10 cents over last year.

-Approved the pay rate schedule for substitutes and other workers. Rates of pay increased across the board.

-Approved the design for the football field. The field will be barricaded, with light green and dark green shades and black end zones.

-CNA Carpet was awarded the contract for new carpet at Lincoln and the middle school. It comes with a 25-year warranty.

-Approved an exploratory guitar class at the middle school. Students will receive guidance and direction in solving problems related to playing the guitar on all levels and learn different styles and techniques. It will cost approximately $4,650 to implement the program, with ongoing costs of repair and string replacement if needed.

-Some of the district’s federal “stimulus’” money will be used to purchase software for math assistance. The software, SuccessMaker, will cost $27,300 plus $1,800 for technology support plus $1,344 in teacher pay. The software is expected to help provide remedial assistance to math students in grades 4-6 who need to improve their scores.

-The new addition to the high school is nearly finished, and the board approved a payment to Jensen Builders.