Superintendent Report
Superintendent Jill Gildea said that the district had a successful launch of the new school year. She noted the Park City Education Foundation, Park City Municipal, and other community partners are developing strategic initiatives this year, which will assist the board. Teachers and the community will be involved in the master planning process this year, including an upcoming Future of Learning Summit. She said students’ voices will also be important since they are the end user.
Student Report
Student board member Steven Mitchell said Park City High students are being surveyed on various topics to make sure their voices are heard before student events and activities are planned.
Summer Projects
Todd Hansen, director of Building and Grounds, presented an overview of the completed summer projects throughout the district. A full list of projects is available here. Business Administrator Todd Hauber told the board the district is replacing two buses with propane buses and a propane fueling station is currently being installed.
Board Priorities
The Board reviewed information from its recent Retreat and is working on establishing tasks related to its 2018-19 priorities, which focus on academic excellence, student experience, organization, staff and board performance, operation and legal effectiveness, and future development.
K-3 Early Literacy Plan Approved
The board approved the district’s K-3 Early Literacy Plan, as required by legislation to receive state funding. Interim Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Traci Evans and Elementary Curriculum Specialist Julie Hastings said the district will do the following this school year:
– Continue using a task force model to support embedded monthly professional development at each school focused on early literacy for K-3 teachers.
– Continue Wilson Fundations professional learning, including beginning of the year training for third-grade teachers and providing coaching support.
– Roll out third grade Wilson Fundations materials and replenish consumables in K-2 grades.
– DIBELS training to amplify K-3
– Train teachers and interventionists on administering and interpreting the results of Kilpatrick’s PAST
– Purchase additional iReady licenses needed in K-3 (early intervention literacy software)
Goals for the 2018-19 school year include:
–Kindergarten: increase the percentage of kindergarten students reaching proficiency on the DIBELS composite by 11%
–Grade 1: Move 29% of the students who score Below/Well Below benchmark at the beginning of the year to At/Above benchmark by end of the year.
–Grade 2: Move 22% of the students who score Below/Well Below benchmark at the beginning of the year to At/Above benchmark by end of the year.
–Grade 3: Move 34% of the students who score Below/Well Below benchmark at the beginning of the year to At/Above benchmark by end of the year.
Board President Andrew Caplan said there is a wide spectrum of academic success in the community. He believes the literacy plan is a good plan for the majority of students, but the district needs to go above and beyond the state requirements to meet the needs of all students.
Board member Petra Butler said equity and access is one of the board’s top priorities and the board is willing to provide the necessary resources to build a strong literacy foundation for reading in grades K-3.