Prescott School Board meets
PRESCOTT – Prescott School Board met recently for their December meeting. Student performance was discussed, with data showing that students that have been with Prescott since first grade and attending regularly are doing better overall than those who have recently been enrolled or don’t attend regularly. The students who attended virtually during COVID also had poorer performance. The number of students who are special needs or receive help for dyslexia were also talked about as many of the students underperforming were in this category.
Third grade students are also doing better than their fourth-grade counterparts, with 34 percent of third graders being proficient in English Language as opposed to the state average of 36 percent. 42 percent of the third graders were proficient in math which is above the state level. In contrast, only 17 percent of the fourth graders were proficient compared to 38 percent for the state.
The question was raised if the state standards were adequate for the students or if they are either unnecessary or more were needed. Superintendent Poole responded that the current standards are fine, but the curriculum was an issue. He said there are two sets of curricula with one addressing the high performers and the other the low performers and teachers must borrow from each to address all needs. This may be a challenge to teachers. Junior High Principal Jay Turley said if someone could create a curriculum that addresses both at the same time, “they would be a millionaire.” A board member said there is both an art and a science to teaching which requires borrowing from different sources. Traditionally, curriculum comes from California, Texas, New York, and Florida.
Junior High Principal Turley said all fourth graders are tested. 5th grade students are at 27 percent proficiency on Math and English Language. Sixth grade is at 28 percent for Math and 25 percent for the English Language. Seventh grade is 28 percent for both. Eighth grade is 19 proficient for English Language.
A couple of classes are small with one with 56 students. The attendance rate is comparable to last year. Discipline issues are less with only 236 incidents compared to last year’s 300, eight fights compared to last year’s 27. What is different this year is academics. Elective classes are being removed from those underperforming. Parents have been notified of the availability of tutoring. Students are being pushed by offering incentives.
The four-day week has helped with the extra time in the classroom (1 hour instead of 45 minutes) as more effort is being put in.
For the high school report students are at 23 percent proficiency for biology as opposed to 38 percent for the state. In contrast the English language scores are better than the states average, and Prescott is one of the highest performers in Southwest Arkansas for reading.
In Algebra and Geometry, the district is behind but nobody in the state is great in these subjects.
High School Principal Tommy Poole said attendance is more of issue for that level than for younger grades. The discipline is better with less referrals. Teachers’ attendance is a lot better with less sick and personal days. There were 63 sick days this year as opposed to 128 last year.
The high school had a total enrollment of 295 with 88 graduating this year. Kindergarten had an enrollment of 60. Elementary enrollment is 324, the middle school is 244 and the total enrollment is 866. The district is not at total capacity.
An annual resolution authorizing the disbursing signature for Michael Williams as auditor passed and was a language change to the school choice policy from the Arkansas School Boards Association. The minutes were approved.
The total funds collected this year were $702,000 which is a decrease but related to the passing of the county treasurer the district which slowed paperwork from the office. School officials said they feel confident the funds will increase as the new treasurer and assistant settle into their roles.
A board member expressed a desire to look at a summary of the revenue report and the check register, saying it is public record expressing concern because of the declining enrollment. The building fund is low at $3,689.33. $300,000 is expected to be moved into the building fund. The auditors look at every credit card statement.
There was an executive session on employment. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned.