LMSD Sets Graduation Dates, Gets Info From Noxapater Attendance Center

Most of the Louisville Municipal School District's Board meeting involved a report from the Noxapater Attendance Center Principal on progress and test scores .
The Board also heard from the Excel By 5 program. Local members of the Winston County Partners for Community Living, Rosie Harris and Frank Cooper invited the Board to participate in the program geared toward early childhood development. Excel By 5 is a program designed to encourage and assist communities to become involved in supporting their youngest citizens. The first of its kind, this certification program highlights the roles parents and primary caregivers play in the education of our children in their most formative years from birth to age five. To find out more about Excel By 5, visit their website at http://www.excelby5.com  Superintendent Wade expressed support for the group indicating that one of the biggest concerns of the district is that often kindergardeners are not prepared.

The Board also dealt with Workman Comp premium increases,approving staff work for the after school CAPPS program and 16th section land issues, some of which were dealt with in executive session.

The Board was informed by Suerintendent Wade that graduation dates for 2013 would need to be pushed back by approximately a week to meet the day requirements needed for Seniors to graduate. Seniors must attend class for 177 days and it was necessary to push the dates back to prevent any conflict.

Principal Stevens of Noxapater provided information to the Board concerning student population and test scores indicating that enrollment was now at 461 students which is a significant increase from just a few years ago. There are 27 Seniors enrolled at this time. State test scores have shown mixed results with stability in Algebra scores, improvement in Biology and English II but a significant decline in US History scores. Stephens indicated that the school was working to improve test scores by increasing rigor in the classroom and putting more focus on Instruction: with supplemental material, the CAPPS program and tutoring and boot camps for SATP testing. Administration is seeking improvement by improving professional development of teachers and promoting more parent involvement.

Prior to entering executive session, the Board set the next LMSD Board meeting for October 9th.