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Penwood principals outline school improvement priorities as district previewed spring survey findings
Summary
Penwood High and Middle principals reviewed ATSI/TSI designations, MTSS priorities, attendance strategies and academic targets; district staff previewed spring survey results showing a 5-point increase in student-reported safety for grades 32d6 and ongoing staff concerns about resources.
Miss Cox framed the requirement for school improvement plans by noting that Title I schools must align needs assessments and action plans to federal funding. She said the district's steering committees, principals and central office staff work together to submit plans through the grant portal for review.
Principal Chano outlined Penwood High School27s priorities after the school received ATSI/TSI designations for English learners and special education subgroups. He said the school plans to expand co-teaching, remediation pilots and diagnostic data use; one objective is to increase Keystone proficiency by roughly five percentage points next year and to implement a 90-minute daily Algebra I block to strengthen math outcomes. He also signaled that chronic behavior and attendance issues remain obstacles to academic progress.
Dr. Prelo, principal of Penwood Middle School (CSI), read a revised vision statement emphasizing restorative practices and equitable instruction. He highlighted notable gains in some subgroups (attendance and mathematics growth) and described action steps focused on collaborative planning, professional development and a targeted attendance program called "Team Flash." He set end-of-year targets for increased proficiency and improved attendance measures tied to MTSS interventions.
Mr. McAlthur gave a preview of spring survey results, reporting robust response rates at elementary and staff levels and a five-percentage-point rise in the share of third- through sixth-grade students who report feeling safe at school compared to the prior spring. He also said teacher survey items indicate resources remain a limiting factor; the district will release a full report to principals and the public after further analysis at the end-of-June retreat.
Board members asked clarifying questions about exit criteria for designations; district staff confirmed that schools must meet state-set thresholds across specified components (attendance, academics, graduation and other targets as applicable) to exit designations.
