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Principal: reading outcomes, chronic absenteeism and behavior improved; students attend Young Authors conference
Summary
Principal Rasley reported improved literacy outcomes, lower chronic absenteeism and fewer disciplinary referrals; staff described a 110-student Young Authors trip paid for by the Achievement and Integration grant and highlighted benefits for student writing and independence.
Principal Rasley told the board the school year closed with measurable gains in literacy and student engagement. Rasley reported the school had about 302 students, "approximately 27%" receiving Tier 2 reading interventions and about 14% receiving special education services (excluding speech and language supports). She said kindergarteners moving into first grade had zero students considered high risk in reading and that third-through-fifth grade projections showed about 66% of students at or above state benchmarks, an increase from 60% the prior year.
Rasley highlighted a fourth-grade proficiency outcome reported through the district's Renaissance Star reading data: roughly 80% proficiency with about 88.2% of those students making typical or better growth. The principal emphasized growth as well as proficiency, noting many students in the high-growth category were on clear trajectories to proficiency. Rasley also reported a five-year low in chronic absenteeism (2.19%) and a decline in office disciplinary referrals.
Rasley shared short human moments from the end of year, including students' spring concerts, PBIS awards and a fifth-grader's comment that this was "the best school year I've ever had," which Rasley cited as illustrative of staff commitment.
Staff also described a one-day Young Authors Conference trip that took 110 fourth- through eighth-graders to a university event; presenters said the trip was funded fully by the Achievement and Integration grant, covering tickets, transportation and substitute teachers. Students described gains in independence navigating a campus, writing craft and confidence; chaperones and teachers praised student preparation and the event's alignment to reading and speaking standards.
Earlier in the meeting a school safety update noted continuing work on building access and key control, school bus and building response updates and tours of the high school. The same speaker called out a recent elementary-level suicide concern as an area of ongoing attention for staff and mental-health resources.
The principal closed by thanking staff and families for the year's work and noting continued focus on sustaining instructional quality and student supports.
