Superintendent reports early gains on visible learning objectives and falling reportable incidents at Brush campuses

District administrators told the School District No. Re-2 Brush board that efforts to make classroom learning objectives visible and to boost positive student behavior have registered measurable results.

Key findings: An administrator reported the district has completed 592 classroom walkthroughs year to date and met an initial target of 90% of classrooms posting visible learning objectives earlier than planned. In a two-week instructional cycle the district reported roughly 95% of classrooms had posted objectives; the cumulative rate was reported at about 90.7 percent. The administration said the next instructional emphasis is shifting objectives to be learning-outcome focused and then linking those objectives to assessments and student demonstration of competency.

Behavior and safety: The district reported increases in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) referrals and a reduction in serious incidents. Reported counts: high school — 147 positive referrals and 74 negative documentations through quarter 1; middle school — 331 positive referrals and 242 negative documentations through the same period. Administrators reported state-reportable incidents were down compared with last year (high school: 50 last year vs. 29 this year; middle school: 71 last year vs. 40 this year), and attributed improvements to increased administrator visibility, PBIS initiatives, and targeted engagement in the middle school.

Eligibility and staffing context: The board heard that raising handbook eligibility standards increased the number of ineligible students (high school eligible count rose to 88 from 56; middle school eligible increased to 110 from 72 as staff and students adjusted to the new standards). Administrators also reviewed staff-absence patterns (noting one maternity and one paternity leave) and discussed whether substitute coverage during periods of high absence could correlate with behavior spikes in October.

What trustees asked for: Board members requested more data history ahead of a December mills decision (to understand whether a full $2 million assessment is necessary) and said they want revenue and historical assessment context to inform any levy decisions.

Outlook: Administration said it will continue walkthroughs, refine visible objective language toward learning outcomes, and report progress to the board. The board set a Dec. 9 regular meeting and tentatively scheduled a Dec. 16 special meeting for owner’s-rep interviews if needed.