1/23 Curriculum Meeting Minutes
by Gail Hopkins
January 24, 2012
Coon Rapids-Bayard Board of Directors met in regular session/board curriculum meeting January 23, 2012 in the Library (Media Center) at the Coon Rapids-Bayard Int/Jr.-Sr. High School.
President Davis called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., Carter verified/reviewed the public meeting notice posted in at least three locations (Int/Jr.-Sr. High School Commons-Coon Rapids, IA, News Gazette-Bayard, IA, Coon Rapids Enterprise-Coon Rapids, IA and Coon Rapids Municipal Utilities-Coon Rapids, IA) on January 19, 2012. Present on roll call: Anthofer, Carter, Davis, Dentlinger, Oswald, and Schlepp. McAlister arrived at 6:33 P.M. Other staff and administration present were: Bill Orlano, Rick Gelhaus, Jon Neas, Carla Schaefer, Jim Heithoff, Margie Schwenk, Principal Zanders, Supt. Stoffers, and Sec'y Hopkins.
Dentlinger moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Oswald. Ayes: Anthofer, Carter, Davis, Dentlinger, Oswald and Schlepp. Motion carried 6-0-1.
Communications –
Supt. Stoffers reviewed the Blue Print Unshakeable Vision with the Board and informed them that all the teaching staff also has a copy for their review.
Faculty Reports –
Career Technical Education (CTE) –
Principal Zanders opened with an overview of CTE, followed by Jim Heithoff, Agriculture Education, and Industrial Technology because Bruce Jepson was not able to attend, Jon Neas, Business and Information Technology, and Carla Schaefer, Family and Consumer Sciences. Each instructor shared what was happening in each of their programs and what is going well. Each instructor expressed challenges they are experiencing such as: Ag Ed – loss of resources/funding concerns, enrollments and attendance, and plot issues; Business and Information Technology – enrollment and class offerings; Family Consumer Science – scheduling issues and class offerings. Each instructor shared what they would like to see in the future for their programs such as: Ag Ed – student ran business and acquire another chapter farm; Business Ed – online computer applications for accounting; and FCS – career pathway for students and have parents’ approval and participation. Mr. Orlano informed the Board that over 70% of our students take CTE classes. The Board requested the CTE instructors take a look at the current class offerings and propose a recommendation to the Board on what is needed and/or reworked and report back to the Board at the regular February board meeting for possible action.
Technology Steering Committee Update –
Margie Schwenk updated the Board of the January 4th Technology Steering Committee meeting. The Committee accomplished four agenda items: 1 – Job Description for the Technology Director which was determined to be a two-tiered job, Networking and Training of Staff/Teachers; 2 – Websites for teachers was discussed and decided the last professional development day at the end of the year would be used to help and train teachers to develop their own website; 3 – Technology classes for teachers; and 4 – Email for students.
Rick Gelhaus was present and updated the Board on the technology proposals by companies that have or will be reviewing our facilities and discussing the District’s technology issues. The Technology Plan is scheduled to be discussed/reviewed at the May regular board meeting.
Professional Staff Development Update –
Margie Schwenk updated the Board on the standards that the staff have been working on. The next standard to be presented is concepts. Barriers for achievement were discussed such as the following: class size, staff, cross curriculum/staff, opportunity for cross disciplinary learning, funding, and holding instructors accountable.
Parent-Teacher Conferences –
The Board is concerned about the 7-12 grade level lack of participation by parents, the current practice is not working so something needs to be changed. The big question is how we increase ALL levels of parent involvement, not just at parent-teacher conferences. Mr. Zanders surveyed the staff and the results were as follows: parent-teacher conferences are very important at grades 7 & 8; possibly implement a published schedule for spring conferences that teachers present mini-classes and link it to fall pre-registration for classes; and maybe professional development is needed for teachers on how to do parent-teacher conferences.
Miscellaneous -
Supt. Stoffers had the following items:
1) Mary Halverson has been awarded the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship for the State of Iowa;
2) Early Retirement; and
3) 2012-2013 District Calendar Options.
Moved by Carter, seconded by Schlepp to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:32 P.M. Ayes: Carter, Davis, Dentlinger, McAlister, Oswald, Schlepp and Anthofer. Motion carried 7-0-0.
