Karen Rickwalt, principal of Soldier Creek Elementary, told the board the school recorded measurable cohort gains on state ELA testing and has launched a Parent University to support early‑childhood families using Title I funds.

Rickwalt reported that, for one cohort, the share of 3rd‑grade students classified as below basic in ELA fell from 53% to 37% when the group tested in 4th grade a year later. Proficiency for that cohort rose from 15% to 34%. She gave a separate example showing 4th‑to‑5th‑grade ELA proficiency rose from 13% to 27%, with advanced performance increasing from 2% to 8% for the same cohort.

The principal said the school has also used Title I funds to hire four tutors who work during a designated daily intervention period. Discipline metrics in the presentation showed a modest decline in out‑of‑school and in‑school suspensions (418 in 2022–23 to 376 in 2023–24), and Rickwalt highlighted schoolwide social‑emotional programming, small group counseling partnerships (including Calm Waters and Midale Youth and Family), and a dedicated time for classroom guidance.

Rickwalt described Parent University as a four‑session program (two sessions held so far and two planned) aimed at pre‑K through 1st‑grade families. The district's mental health specialists participated; community partners provided meals and childcare at sessions. The goal is to build family capacity to support early literacy and social‑emotional development so children enter school better prepared.

Why this matters: the school presented concrete cohort gains in ELA, a targeted use of Title I funds for intervention tutors, and an early‑family outreach model the principal framed as an investment in long‑term student success.