Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
At a time when schools are gaining recognition as a “social need” for many, the Morrison Community Unit School District #6 Board of Education approved Superintendent Scott Vance’s Improvement Plan, on Monday, January 25, 2021. The multi-year plan divided the focus between Academics and Facilities, with regards to finances and educational advancements.
Recognizing that little progress is ever accomplished without a unified mission, the District #6 Mission Statement comes to the front: “Morrison Community Unit #6 will provide challenging and engaging educational experiences to equip students with the critical sills that promote the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth needed to be highly successful and productive citizens.”
Academic goals revealed the following expectations of the past and offered aggressive action that will create accountability standards for students, faculty, and administration. Goals are to be met by the end of the 2022 school year.
- The percent of students meeting or exceeding on the IAR ELA assessment will increase from 44% to 57%, and the number of students meeting or exceeding on the SAT ELA assessment will increase from 26% to 45%.
- The percent of students meeting or exceeding on the IAR assessment will increase from 32% to 50%, and the number of students meeting or exceeding on the SAT Math assessment will increase from 37% to 54%.
- The percentage of students in the Children with Disabilities subgroup will improve by ten percentage points.
- The number of students meeting and exceeding on the Illinois Science Assessment will improve by 40%.
Noting that District #6 facilities do not meet the academic needs of the students, the following goals were unanimously approved.
- By the end of the 2022-2023 school year, the District will ensure that facilities and equipment meet the academic needs of the District Improvement Plan, (e.g., Rotate new textbooks purchases and materials.)
- By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the District will ensure a safe learning environment, (e.g., Upgrade security cameras, Resurface HS track, Replace HS stadium bleachers, Replace NS and SS playground equipment, Replace/install new fencing at NS and SS.)
- By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the District will make improvements to its facilities to increase the aesthetic appeal of the District, (e.g., Paint all classrooms, Replace floors in HS, New HS classroom doors, Paint HS and JHS gymnasiums, Upgrade NS restrooms.)
Vance’s Superintendent’s Update reported an enrollment decline, since the same time last year of 64, and a total enrollment of 960.
Participation in the Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) requires a commitment of funds to assist the maintenance of the facilities in Sterling, IL. Necessary improvements to the HVAC unit and roofing concerns will impact the District #6 funds by $290,000. This figure is an increase of $80,000 from the earlier estimate submitted by WACC.
In other action, the Board approved hiring a K-5 Math Interventionist that will primarily instruct in small groups. The purpose is to improve student math skills, to master grade standards, and curriculum of students not meeting mathematical standards.
The current circumstances of attempting to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a noticeable learning loss in the math and ELA skills, in grades 1-5. A mitigating program will be offered from July 5 through July 31 (Monday through Thursday) to assist those in need of additional learning opportunities.
Intervention learning also will be available to students transitioning from kindergarten to first grade. This is an attempt to better prepare a student who may be lacking skills needed in first grade, thus elevating his/her chance to succeed at the class level.
Jon Heusinkveld was approved as Facility Director, following the retirement of Dean Wallace in December, 2020.
Superintendent Vance ended the meeting with his hopes of the District returning to five-day weeks again in early February.