November Business Meeting Evaluation and Future Agenda Items

Meeting Evaluation
	DIRECTIONS: By evaluating our past meeting performance, we can discover ways to make future meetings shorter and more productive. Check each item "Adequate " or "Needs Improvement. " If you check "Needs Improvement, " include suggestions for improvement.
	Date:	Monday, November 26, 2012
Adequate	Needs Improvement
7		Our meeting was businesslike, results-oriented and we functioned like a team.
7		Our discussion was cordial and well balanced (not dominated by just a few members).
7		We confined our discussion to agenda items only.
7		Our agenda included positive issues as well as problems.
7		We discussed policy issues rather than day-to-day management issues.
5	2	We followed parliamentary rules and consulted legal or professional counsel when needed.
7		The president or chairperson controlled and guided the meeting.
6	1	We dealt successfully with controversial items and attempted to develop solutions acceptable to all members.
7		Everyone contributed to the meeting.
6	1	All members were prepared to discuss material that was sent to them in advance.
7		Reports were clear, well prepared and provided adequate information for decision making.
6	1	Printed materials given to us were easy to understand and use.
6	1	Our meeting room was comfortable and conducive to discussion and decision making.
7		All members were in attendance and on time—and the meeting began and concluded on time.
6	1	For committees and ad hoc groups: There was adequate reason for us to meet.
My best suggestion for improving our next meeting is...
Plan  better for the number of people.  Student recognition should be in a school.

Items for future board meetings:

• Policy JJ and IHBH for the January Work Session
• Policy KE for the January Work Session
• Policy JLCF for the January Work Session
• Policy GBEBC for the January Work Session
• Benchmark effort of high school course scheduling improvement - hotline update
• Communications Committee Update
• iRock update - December Business/Work Session

Parent Involvement Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

What should PTO's and SIC's be doing? 
PTA’s (Parent Teacher Association) and PTO’s (Parent Teacher Organization) are school support groups.  They often purchase equipment or materials the district is unable to provide and help in other ways suggested by the principal. These groups should consider activities that support student learning such as volunteering to help students on an individual level.


School Improvement Councils (SIC) are required by law to be in place at each school. The council must include parents, community representatives and students when at the high school level. A majority of the council must be "non" educators. At a minimum, they develop and monitor the school's strategic plan and give an annual report to parents and community. However, they should help  the principal and school leadership team in finding innovative ways to educate our children. It was the Saluda Trail Middle School SIC that pushed for and moved the district to standard dress at all our middle schools. 

How are the schools utilizing parents of special need students?  
There is no system in place. Schools utilize parents of students with disabilities no differently than parents of students without disabilities. The same opportunities to participate and to be included in school and classroom activities and volunteer situations are available. It could be that parents of students with disabilities are afforded increased opportunities because of increased meeting times with school personnel and often have increased communication with the school or classrooms. Many students with special needs have weekly or even daily communication between home and school included in their individualized programs. 

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department has initiated a Parent Advisory Committee. An organizational meeting was held in October with great success.  There are plans to meet with this core group informally during the month of December and again formally next semester.

Finance Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Are the budget cuts over? 
Act 388 has made school funding directly related to the economy. We hope the economy doesn't get worse, but at the same time, we do not expect it to return to pre-2008 levels any time soon.  Many factors affect our revenue and budget, such as how many children have enrolled, property values, the economy, and new state and federal regulations. Because of variables beyond our control, it is not possible to make a definitive statement.

Why buy lights for the football fields and not computers for the classroom? 
The board is committed to meeting standards in everything we do. The lighting levels at District Three Stadium did not meet even 50% of the standard light level for a high school football field. The lighting improvements will put district three stadium on par with York, Gafney, and Dorman high schools. But we also buy computers and technology. This year we've spent  $2.5 million for new computers and technology infrastructure including a wireless network for our elementary schools. 

Why has the district not tried to get a sales tax for schools passed? 
School districts in South Carolina do not have access to local sales taxes like municipalities and counties do.  This is something our local legislative delegation would have to bring up for a public vote.

Elementary School and Teacher Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Why were the elementary school report cards changed? 
The administration made the change to provide parents  more  information. Below is a chart that is sent to parents explaining the standards-based report card:

Traditional A, B, C Report Card	Standards-Based Reporting
The reporting period defines the beginning and end of learning. If the students do not get it during the reporting period, the class moves on.	The reporting period is only a reporting date. If the students do not get it, then more time and effort is devoted toward mastery.
A single letter grade does not tell parents what their children know and are able to do.	Parents can see all of the skills students are expected to learn and how they performed on each of those skills.
A letter grade is the only feedback a parent or next year’s teacher receives about their student’s performance.	Parents and future teachers can see exactly which indicators the student is successful or struggling. Parents will know what to reinforce at home to help their child succeed.
Students who are more capable of rigorous content are held to the on-grade level indicators and standards.	Students who are more capable of rigorous content are moved on through the learning continuum.
Letter grades often include non-academic considerations like participation, behavior, work habits and effort.	Standards-based focuses strictly on learning - what the students need to know and how they are progressing.
Shifts, sorts, and labels students from best to worst.	Shows parents how close their student is toward mastering each standard.
Students learn “failing” at an early age.	Students understand that they are on a learning continuum and that progressing is the most important aspect of learning.
Next year’s teachers have a single letter of feedback on which to make critical instructional decisions.	Next year’s teachers get specific feedback about the student’s progress which allows them to make more accurate instructional decisions.

Be sure to contact your child's principal if you need help understanding the change.


Did the change produce the desired results? 
Here are the expected results:

• Staff understands  grade-level standards much better now that they have to assess them.
• It is not about evaluating, but about student learning. Students may need more than one opportunity to master knowledge or skills.
• Performance measures should align with the progress shown on standardized tests, reading assessments, class assignments and classroom assessments.
• Students grow at different rates; and when a child does not get it, we intensify the instruction. Also, when a students gets it, there is an obligation to accelerate, enrich, or enhance the learning so that the child moves and is not held back in his or her learning.
• Principals  can tell what their students are learning and what standards/indicators they are not learning.

The administration expects  student achievement to rise with the connection to standardized assessments..

Lower income parents may need some education on these changes.
Nothing has been done to specifically address this question. Parents should always contact their child's principal for help on this.

What can we do to get more physical activity in the elementary schools? 
Providing some intramural (within the school) opportunities after school is a possible addition if resources are available.

Is the Fountas and Pinnell (F&P) reading program showing results? 
The administration believes we are seeing benefits in Kindergarten and Grade 1. We will be watching 3rd grade performance in comparison to other school districts.

What are we doing to show more recognition for classroom innovation and performance? 
The Rock Hill School District Foundation provides four opportunities each year for our educators to apply for mini-grants (up to $2,500) for innovation and creative projects.   Educators who receive grants are recognized  through the local news media, on the Foundation's website, and at the annual Showcase of the Arts fundraising event each spring.

Why do so many of our teachers have their children in Fort Mill and Clover?  
Their children attend school where they live.