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Monarch Elementary and Sims Middle show gains, district leaders say; board reviews finances and approves field trip
Summary
Monarch Elementary reported growth in math (54.9%) and ELA (54%) with an action plan to accelerate growth; Sims Middle reported strong student progress and a 51 overall rating. The board also reviewed January finances (net operating result $531,000) and unanimously approved an overnight Career Center trip for March.
District leaders briefed the Union County Board of School Trustees on school report cards and routine district business on Feb. 23.
Monarch Elementary principal Dina Addis told trustees that Monarch’s math meets-or-exceeds rate rose to 54.9% and that ELA is at 54%. Addis noted those percentages exceed district and state averages as she explained changes to state accountability measures year-to-year. She said Monarch’s overall point rating is 45 — which lowered its category from 'good' to 'average' — and outlined a school action plan that uses targeted reading interventionists, in-class coaching and tiered instruction to accelerate growth. "We have a 45 point rating, which dropped us from a good school to an average school," Addis said, adding the school has put an action plan in place and is seeing measurable student progress.
Sims Middle School’s presentation, led by Dr. Andrew Carti, emphasized student-progress indicators: Carti said Sims earned a 51 overall rating and that the lowest 20% of students showed growth above peers in the state. He highlighted seventh-grade ELA performance (52% met/exceeded) and described instructional strategies such as pacing guides and spiral review designed to sustain progress.
The board also approved an overnight field trip request from the Union County Career Center for a March 11–13 conference (roll-call unanimous) and reviewed January financials: revenues year-to-date $21.5 million, expenditures $20.9 million, and a net operating result of $531,000. The superintendent described upcoming budget work sessions and noted a state budget proposal that would increase teacher pay by about $2,000; he said the district’s starting salary currently is above the governor’s proposed baseline.
No votes were taken on the report cards; principals answered trustee questions about how state accountability weightings have changed and described local instructional interventions.
