Administration

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, James Morgan, Keith Johnson, Curt Newcom , Melissa Jarboe, Jean Ann Stanley, Sue Krampe and Jim Gilles. Also attending were teachers Ginger Robinson and Lisa Garner, Scott Hawkins, personnel director and KWC students Courtney Smiley and Holly Jackson. A motion was made by Jean Ann Stanley to begin the meeting. Melissa Jarboe seconded the motion and there was consensus.

Before the meeting began, Mr. Purcell asked if there was anyone among the visitors who would wish to address the council during the meeting. Both Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Garner stated that they would like to address the council regarding class size issues. Mr. Purcell informed them that they would each be given five minutes where they could address the council when that item came up on the agenda.

Approve September Agenda - A motion was made by Mrs. Jarboe to approve the September agenda. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion and there was consensus.

Approve August Minutes - A motion was made by Mr. Johnson to approve the August minutes. Mrs. Stanley seconded the motion and there was consensus.

Personnel Update - The following positions are open:

Freshman Softball Coach Head Boys Track Coach
E.S.S. Coordinator .25 Spanish Teacher

The following positions are recommended for employment:

Heather Clark - Science Teaching Position, Nov. 1

Mr. Morgan moved to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Mrs. Stanley seconded the motion and there was consensus. After the discussion, Mr. Morgan motioned to come out of closed session, Mrs Jarboe seconded the motion and there was consensus. No action was taken as a result of the closed session.

Class Size Issue - Mr. Purcell stated to Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Garner that the council would like to apologize for the vote taken at last months meeting that approved for over cap size classes in the foreign language department. At the time of the vote, the council was informed that the foreign language department was okay with the over cap classes. However, after last month's meeting, Mr. Purcell was informed that the foreign language department was not okay with the class sizes.

Mrs. Garner addressed the council saying that she had the class that had thirty-five students in it, which is four students over cap. Mrs. Garner stated that this class size is not good for the students in that class and that there was not enough time in the class to meet the needs of each student. She also expressed her disappointment in the handling of the voting situation and what she felt was misrepresentation at the previous council meeting. Mrs. Garner asked the council to consider the situation again and make a decision that would be in the best interest of the children in the classrooms. She also asked that communication be such that all parties involved were aware of the process and decisions made regarding the size of this class.

Mrs. Stanley asked Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Garner how the council could help with the decisions that need to be made for the foreign language classes besides having better communications and making sure everyone is on the same page.

Mrs. Robinson stated that she did not want to set precedent that the foreign language department could accept class size over thirty one students. Foreign language is a subject that requires intense instruction covering reading, writing, listening skills and speaking skills along with integrating technology into the class. The teacher must interact with each student to know if they are comprehending the language. With thirty four students in a classroom a teacher can spend approximately three minutes with each student, which is not reasonable time for the teacher to get feed back to the students. Because two years of foreign language is a requirement to graduate, there is already a large backlog of students trying to get into a foreign language class. Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Garner calculate that they have about a third of the student body through their classrooms. They feel a great need for one other full time foreign language teacher.

Mr. Newcom stated that he felt the foreign language department did a great job with the Apollo students.

Mr. Hawkins explained that he is frantically looking for a .25 Spanish teacher who would teach one class each day. This would allow the foreign language department to split the oversized class and cover the other part time position that is now open due to a resignation. Mr. Hawkins explained the financial concerns the district has to face when hiring staff and that the district must stick to the staffing formula by which they operate. He suggested that perhaps within the school, we could maybe rearrange staffing for next year. The school administration would have to take a look at long term staffing needs.

Mr. Morgan thanked the foreign language department for all that they are doing.

Budget Update - Mr. Purcell reported that there is $15,115 remaining in the Professional Development budget. He also reported that we have spent 45% of the S.E.E.K. budget.

Summer School/Credit Recovery - The council discussed the summer school plan for 05/06 would be that summer school would be held at Apollo High School this year. However, this year, Apollo students would have to understand that the highest grade they could make would be a D. This would make the summer school grading system the same across the district.

Mr. Morgan expressed that several teachers had commented to him that the staff had been told summer school in the old format would be discontinued and that another new credit recovery plan would be developed. He felt that with traditional summer school in the plan, students would continue to feel that they can sit in the classroom during the regular school year and just wait it out and do nothing, fail and then make it up in summer school. Mr. Morgan stated that many felt that this was not a progressive decision, that students were not required to work as hard as they should.

Summer school staffing issues have been a main concern about having an Apollo only summer school or credit recovery program. About a third of recent summer school teachers have come from the middle schools.

Mr. Morgan moved that Mr. Purcell reconvene the committee and have them look again at a different credit recovery program, by first poling the staff as to who would be willing to teach at an Apollo students only summer school, required subjects only. The committee should also explain to the faculty what summer school would entail. Mrs. Jarboe seconded the motion and there was consensus.

Preliminary CATS Report - The preliminary CATS scores show that Apollo is progressing at the mid point of our two year accountability cycle. We are moving closer to our goal and are no where near in need of assistance. The two areas we need to improve in are in drop out reduction and novice reduction. The complete report is at the end of the minutes.

National Merit Semi-Finalist - Mr. Purcell announced that Ian Wilkey has been named a National Merit Semi Finalist and that he and his parents will be recognized at the AHS/DCHS football game at Daviess County this Friday night.

Meeting Dates - Meetings will take place on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 . Exceptions are December 13, May 9, and June 20. Please note below.

These are meeting dates:

January 17, 2006
February 21, 2006
October 18, 2005 March 21, 2006
November 15, 2005 April 18, 2006
December 13, 2005 (2 nd Tuesday) May 9, 2006 (2 nd Tuesday)
June 20, 2006 ( noon )

The date for the next SBDM meeting is Tuesday, October 18th at 4:00 p.m. in the conference room. There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Jarboe to adjourn the meeting at 5:24 p.m. Mrs. Stanley seconded the motion and there was a consensus.

Respectfully submitted,

Becki Burton