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Superintendent highlights tutoring gains, career programs and explains IDEA spending
Summary
District presenters reported a successful high‑impact tutoring pilot (pre/post assessment gains, increased students scoring >70%), previewed a junior ROTC launch and career programming, and provided a detailed overview of how the district uses federal IDEA funds (largest share on salaries and contracted services).
At the May 21 Bremen CHSD 228 board meeting, district staff reported measurable gains from an 8‑week high‑impact tutoring pilot, outlined plans for a new junior ROTC class and career‑connected learning experiences, and provided an extended briefing on how federal IDEA funds are spent at the district.
The tutoring pilot: A presenter speaking during the superintendent's report said the district partnered with an online tutoring vendor to provide three 30‑minute live sessions per week during study hall over eight weeks. The presenter reported assessment results to the board: "Some of the highlights from the program include we saw 30% gains in several data in geometry skills from pre to post assessment. The percentage of students scoring above 70% increased from 8.8 percent on the pre assessment to 51.7 percent on the post assessment." The presenter added that 16 students improved their course grade, and six of 13 students who began with failing grades were no longer failing by the program's end.
Career and technical education: The superintendent's report also covered the district's manufacturing workplace experience at MiJAC (seven enrolled students completed capstone presentations; one planned to attend WyoTech for diesel mechanics; others obtained local employment). Staff reported students earned industry credentials including CPR, forklift certification and tool‑safety credentials. The district also held an annual skilled trades expo where industry partners observed team challenges and conducted soft interviews; Agrati Inc. hired two Hillcrest seniors after a plant tour.
Special education / IDEA funding: A district special‑education presenter delivered a detailed explanation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), emphasizing that IDEA funds must supplement, not supplant, local spending and that the funds support salaries (paraprofessionals, nurses, occupational therapists), contracted services (e.g., additional counselors/social workers), interpreters, supplies and equipment, summer Excel programming and leased transportation for post‑secondary students. The presenter cited federal funding flows to districts and noted documentation and audit requirements.
Next steps: Based on program success, the presenter said the district intends to offer the tutoring program again in the fall "pending federal funding that we see." The board did not record further debate on these program updates during the meeting.
