Lewiston Elementary Principal Troy Pugmire told the Cache County School District Board on Dec. 18 that his school outperformed state averages on several assessment measures but remains challenged by its population of English-language learners.

Pugmire reported RISE scores showing Lewiston at 59.3% in language arts compared with a statewide 43.3%; in math Lewiston posted 74.5% versus a state figure of 44.1%. He also shared Acadience/assessment benchmarks by grade (for example, kindergarten at 81.5% compared with a district figure of 72.2%).

The principal credited a combination of targeted interventions, strategic Tier 2 supports and the addition of a school support leader, Megan Porshe, for helping teachers work with students and for improving attendance and early-grade outcomes. "She's able to light my load a lot," Pugmire said, describing how the support leader handled behavior follow-up and parent contacts so teachers could focus on instruction.

Pugmire identified English-language learners as Lewiston's biggest ongoing challenge and said the school is on TSI (Targeted Support and Improvement) because of that student population. He told the board the school fell six students short of qualifying for Title I this year and that the school community council is working to identify and support eligible students.

Board members asked for more detail on what has driven the high math scores; Pugmire described regular intervention meetings where teachers bring concerns and receive targeted interventions, along with deliberate use of Tier 2 strategies.

Pugmire also described PBIS practices (referred to in his remarks as "Lewis and Leopards are safe, kind and responsible"), a series of community and family engagement events and faculty professional learning communities that meet monthly. He closed by thanking staff and wishing the community well for the holidays.

The board had no public input items on the agenda and moved on to other business after the school report.