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GATE team cites improvements in files and instruction; athletic trainer praised for emergency response
Summary
A GATE team reported progress in Gilmer County Schools’ Focus visits, noting stronger lesson planning and improved special education files; the superintendent also presented a commendation to athletic trainer Rebecca Burns for her response to an Oct. 4 on-field emergency.
A GATE (focused accountability) team reported to the Gilmer County Schools board on its fall 2024 Focus visits to the elementary and high schools, saying walkthroughs, interviews and file reviews showed improvement in instruction and special education documentation.
The presenter said the team visited Gilmer County Elementary on Sept. 23 and Gilmer County High School on Sept. 24 and used Department of Education standards and classroom walkthroughs to assess instructional fidelity. "Teacher desktop references were on all desks with lesson plans included; instruction was standards driven and direct instruction was taking place at both schools," the presenter reported. The presenter also said special education files "were much better in this fall than they were in the spring" following targeted training and work sessions.
GATE team recommendations included continued monitoring that the district-adopted core curriculum is used with rigor, wider implementation of student-engagement strategies (APL) with fidelity, and development of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) especially at the middle school level. The presenter said the team will participate in data meetings with administrators and that a follow-up Focus visit is planned during the second semester.
Separately during the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Manny presented a certificate of accommodation to athletic trainer Rebecca Burns and read a letter commending her actions during a potential life-threatening incident on Oct. 4. The letter, read into the record, praised Burns’ "quick and decisive actions" and said those actions "were nothing short of heroic," and the certificate and a copy of the letter will be placed in her personnel file.
The board also heard superintendent updates about exploring the Mastery Prep program for test-prep support, planning a countywide Veterans Day assembly at the Waco Center in partnership with Glenville State, and upcoming JAM program walkthroughs and the start of the GATE process after fall sports on Nov. 12.
The board asked questions during the presentation about MTSS implementation and scheduling for interventions; the meeting record indicates the district will continue data meetings and host a spring service-personnel and parent interview component during future focus work.
