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Apollo High School
School
Based Council Meeting
January 20, 2004 - 4:00p.m.
- Conference Room
The regular meeting of the school based council was called
to order by Tom Purcell, Principal, at 4:00 p.m. Members present:
Tom Purcell, Scott Kuegel, Buzz Backstrom, James Morgan, Melissa
Morris, Tim Taylor, Sue Krampe and Jim Gilles. Presenters were
Catherine Shelton and Julie Clark.
Approve December Agenda - A motion was made
by Scott Kuegel to approve the January agenda with the following
additions:
Melissa Morris seconded the motion and there was consensus.
Approve December Minutes - A motion was
made by Melissa Morris to approve the December minutes. Tim
Taylor seconded the motion and there was consensus.
Personnel Update - The following positions
are open:
Budget Update - Mr. Purcell reported that
there is $11,886 dollars remaining in the Professional Development
budget. He also reported that there is $48,000 left in our
S.E.E.K. budget.
Curriculum Committee Report -
Social Studies Recommendation - 9 th grade
integrated social studies requirement for incoming freshman.
This recommendation is made in order to build a foundation
for world civilization and US history courses, cover CATS core
content in geography, government and economics and to reduce
world civilization failures.
No motion was presented for this recommendation. The council
requested that further study be made concerning staffing issues,
the impact of reduced number of electives for freshmen, and
other models for integrating freshman social studies.
Math Recommendation - Algebra I Comprehensive
classes have a lower cap.
Scott Kuegel moved to accept this recommendation as stated,
Tim Taylor seconded the motion and there was consensus.
Science Recommendation - Realign the curriculum
to integrate earth science into all courses. Melissa Morris
moved to accept this recommendation along with the following
items: provide professional development and purchase supplemental
instructional items to assist the teachers with the integration.
Professional development could include attending the National
Science Conference in April and scheduling specific dates in
the summer to align and plan curriculum. Funds used for professional
development could be from the PD budget and in the case of
9 th grade planning, possibly some SLC funds would be available.
The purchasing of supplemental instructional items would be
aided by the current textbook funding program. Tim Taylor seconded
the motion and there was consensus.
Read 180 - Additional slots for students.
Catherine Shelton presented the following report for our Read
180 program. Currently there are 52 students enrolled in the
program. Mid year testing shows that 46 students raised their
reading scores significantly, two did not raise their scores
and four students did not test due to illness. This reading
course is a very structured course that has proved helpful
for the students currently enrolled. There are actually 60
slots available for this program. Julie Clark stated that fifteen
additional slots have been added to the program and suggested
they be reserved for special needs students. Julie stated that
she and Ken Roberts discussed the benefits of this program
for special needs students at the high school level. DCPS is
currently trying the structured program with special needs
students at the elementary and middle school levels and it
is working very well. Julie stated that the one time cost for
these additional slots would be $7,500. This would be funded
from the SLC grant. Training for the program will be provided
by Scholastic, and will be provided at the client location
for more than one teacher.
Full Credit vs. Half Credit - Mr. Taylor
requested that a committee be formed to look at the pro's and
con's of full credit being issued for each semester of a two
semester class versus one half credit being issued for each
semester of a two semester class. He stated that it would be
great to have a student and a parent along with two or three
teachers on the committee. The committee would investigate
other high schools to see how they issue credits. Mr. Taylor
volunteered to spearhead the committee.
Other -
2nd Chance - Mrs. Morris reported
that at the end of 1 st semester 03-04 there were 129 students
who were academically eligible to participate in the Second
Chance program, 79 were enrolled. That is 61% of eligible students
were enrolled. These students have six weeks to complete the
program and pass the course they were referred from with a
D-. Concern was given about the other 30 students who failed
and were not able to enroll in Second Chance. The council suggested
that the whole 2 nd Chance policy be reviewed.
Semester Exams - Mr. Taylor requested that
someone look at the district semester exam policy and how it
affects our students. Apollo students take on average more
semester exams than any other area high school students.
Extend the meeting time - Mr. Purcell interrupted
the council meeting as it was 5:30 p.m. and stated that he
would need a motion to continue the meeting
per council by-laws. Article VI. A. states that meetings will
end at 5:30 and if all agenda items have not been adequately
discussed, the council may decide by motion, second, and majority
vote to extend the length of the meeting or to place the remaining
agenda items on the next month's agenda or on the agenda of
a special called meeting. Buzz Backstrom moved to extend the
meeting and James Morgan seconded the motion and there was
consensus.
Curriculum Alignment - Mr. Taylor also spoke
with the council about curriculum alignment. He strongly suggested
that core classes align or map curriculum for each six weeks
grading period and that the school look at having common finals.
Discussion was given regarding a small block of days in the
summer be spent on curriculum alignment.
Intro to Education - Mr. Taylor presented
to the council a request for a new course at Apollo called
Intro to Education. Mr. Hawkins made this request at the Secondary
High School Principals Meeting. They are looking to form a
class of primarily seniors who would be interested in teaching.
Western would provide a syllabus and students would get dual
credit. The teacher would have to be KTIP qualified. Students
may have to pay tuition to take the class. Mr. Morgan stated
that if the class would not fit in with the Academic Intern
program that he would not be interested in trying to add this
class.
Super Council Report - Scott
Kuegel reported the following items that were discussed at
the Superintendent's super council meeting:
The district will experience a 2.5% cut due to state budget
cuts, however the district will absorb those cuts with district
contingency funds. Central office was pleased that the cuts
were not deeper.
Several schools discussed having "Observation Blitz's" where
the administration and guidance counselors observed thirty
to forty classes in a short period of time, not for evaluation
purposes, but to get a snapshot of what is going on around
the school during the day. Mr. Purcell added that our administration
along with some Central Office staff did that earlier in the
year.
And Mr. Kuegel reported that Stu is hoping that the e-learning
program will go into effect for all freshmen students next
year. Each of them would receive a lap top computer.
The date for the next SBDC meeting is Tuesday, February 17,
2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the conference room.
There being no further business a motion was made by Melissa
Morris to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. Buzz Backstrom seconded the
motion and there was consensus.
Respectfully submitted,
Becki Burton
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