Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Instruction And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent outlines PLC work, 15‑day challenge and student cell‑phone pouch system
Summary
At a Batavia City School District meeting, Superintendent Smith summarized professional learning community work, a new "15‑day challenge" instructional cycle, and the district’s plan to store student phones in labeled pouches under a revised code-of-conduct process.
Superintendent Smith briefed the Batavia City School District board on staff professional development, a classroom-focused "15‑day challenge" and the district’s planned cell‑phone storage system.
Smith said the district is in its third year of implementing professional learning communities (PLCs) and described PLCs as an ongoing, team-based process intended to improve student learning. He said district teams attended a multi-day conference with national facilitators and brought back classroom strategies, including a shorter instructional cycle the presenters called the "15‑day challenge." Dr. Corey, a staff member, told the board the district plans to use the 15‑day cycle to set three‑week learning expectations, apply quick interventions and iterate from one successful cycle to the next.
Smith described the cell‑phone plan that will be referenced in the district code of conduct: students will place phones into individual pouches labeled by grade and stored in locked, labeled cabinets at school sites. "The phone, if it is confiscated, it would be released to an individual authorized by the parent or guardian and with principal or assistant principal...permission," Smith said, adding that principals or assistant principals will make release decisions after contacting a parent or guardian.
The superintendent also reviewed kindergarten screening and new‑staff orientation activities, noting a welcome‑back event at the high school and a bus tour that included stops at several local historic sites. He thanked staff and volunteers who helped run orientation and tours. Smith said the district will post parent tips about the cellphone expectation on the district website and include a link in his welcome‑back letter to families.
Why it matters: the PLC work and the 15‑day cycle are instructional strategies intended to accelerate classroom interventions; the new cell‑phone procedures and the code‑of‑conduct language affect daily operations for students, families and building administrators.
Board members commented favorably on the retreat and on staff development. Several board members noted the value of seeing district leadership and new staff during orientation activities.
The superintendent closed by reminding the board of upcoming events including a staff welcome at the high school, a series of school open houses and a meeting with state lawmakers to discuss the district’s preschool program.
Ending: Smith invited questions; there were none that changed the plans presented. The board later adopted a revised code of conduct as a separate agenda item.
