March 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM - Sapulpa Public Schools Board of Education Independent School District Number 33 Creek County Reg

Discussion:  Heather Turner, High School 12th grade student, is a National Merit Finalist. 1.5 million students tryout for this top honor but only 8,000 students are selected. All winners are selected on their abilities, skills, accomplishments, academic records, two sets of test scores, school officials's written recommendation, activities/leadership and the their own written essay. Heather contributes her High School success to hard work, great teachers and parent involvement. She plans to attend University of Oklahoma after High School.

Discussion:  Major Swepston, JROTC Instructor, recolonized his cadets for their achievements this year. JROTC drill teams placed first in colorguard, inspection and Cadet Sargent Rainer led the new cadets to first place. Cadet Captain Banks led the colorguard to first place at a marine school in Mountain Grove, MO. The team placed 2nd in female colorguard and platoon arm drill. Last April, the drill team placed first overall to win the Superintendent trophy last April. They will go again to try and secure the trophy April 10, 2014. The Marine Corp pays for most of the trips they take for competitions.

Discussion:  Mr. Micheal Reid, Freedom Elementary Principal, updated the Board on his site improvement plan. The teachers are focused on increasing reading scores of students who score below proficient. Mr. Reid reported increases in 3-5 grades reading scores using Star Reading, an online reading test. Teachers are using team teaching, intensive small reading groups and targeting specific areas of concerns for struggling students. They held a 3rd grade parent meeting to discuss RSA (Reading Sufficiency Act). Third-grade students cannot be promoted to the fourth grade if he or she scores Unsatisfactory on the reading portion of the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test (OCCT). There are exemptions to the law which include, English Language Learners who have had less than two years of instruction in English and are identified as Limited-English Proficient, Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) indicates they are to be assessed with the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP), students who demonstrate through a teacher- developed portfolio that they can read on grade level, students who demonstrate an acceptable level of performance (minimum of 45th percentile) on an alternative standardized reading test, students with disabilities who take the OCCT and have an IEP that states they have received intense remediation in reading for more than two years but still demonstrate a deficiency in reading and were previously retained one year, and students who have received intensive remediation in reading for two or more years but still demonstrate a deficiency in reading.

Discussion:  Mr. Bobby Alfred, Holmes Park Elementary Principal, updated the Board on the site improvement plan. Holmes Park uses a program called DIBELS to asses their students in reading. Mr. Alfred showed 69% of HP students were at or above benchmark in the second semester. The teachers use Power Half Hour (intensive reading for half an hour)to help struggling students practice reading. The Board would like to see more consistency in assessing students reading levels at all elementary sites.

Discussion:  Mr. Johnny Bilby, High/Junior High Principal, and Mrs. Amy Reed, Assistant Principal, presented the sites goals and accomplishments concerning ACT (American College Testing). Their goals at the beginning of the year was to increase participation by 5% each year and identify students who have not taken the ACT test. They reported 47% of seniors took the test by October and increased to 60% by February 2014. The Administration also looked at performance. Regional colleges require a score of 19 and 44.3% of our seniors scored 19 or higher and can get into college.

Discussion:  Mr. Kevin Burr, Superintendent, reminded everyone that state testing will begin soon and the sites are looking for test monitors. Interested parties can contact the sites to sign up. Sapulpa has randomly been selected to participate in the Field Item test for measured progress. Jenks and Owasso Public Schools were not selected from our area. How schools were chosen is left to debate. Mr. Burr also informed the Board of the "opt out of testing" choice but the district must follow the state requirements of 95% of students must take the test. If a school drops below that 95% they will drop a grade per percentage. If they only have 90% of students test, they will receive a failing grade on their report card.

Discussion:  The Board of Education went into executive session at 8:37 p.m. to discuss Personnel as listed, Freedom H.Q. Teacher Assistant, Holmes Park H.Q. Special Education Assistant, Junior High Secretary, Freedom Latchkey Assistant and (4) District Child Nutrition Substitutes as authorized by 25 O.S. Section 307(B)(1) of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and (2) to discuss and interview potential candidates for the open position of Seat Number 4 on the Sapulpa Board of Education as authorized by 25 O.S. Section 307(B)(1) of the Oklahoma Meeting Act with no resulting to be taken on item (2). During the executive session, the Board discussed these items and no other items. The Board returned to open session at 8:54 p.m. This constitutes the minutes of the executive session