Board tables new position, adopts policy changes

DECATUR - The Decatur School Board met at the old middle school on June 17, with several items on the agenda.

Since this was the last meeting of the 2012-2013 school year, test results for each grade from first to eleventh were discussed. Each grade’s results were based on two categories, math and literacy. They were compared to the state averages and then compared over a five year period.

While most grade levels hovered just under state averages, others showed marked improvements, staying even or just above Arkansas state averages. It is hoped the reports will help educators in the Decatur School District improve in areas that are weak and continue to push for higher results in the 2013-2014 school year.

A need for a new full-time maintenance person was raised. The school system currently has four maintenance employees, including one full-time maintenance lead, one part-time maintenance and two full-time employees who share duties with the transportation department. An additional full-time person was requested to help keep the grounds mowed during the spring and help maintain all of the high school buildings. During the course of the discussion, a suggestion was made to split duties between Decatur High School and Northside Elementary. The item was tabled for further review.

A report by Superintendent Larry Ben on The Boston Mountain Cooperative Migrant Project 2012-14 grant was submitted to the board. Ben said the grant application was completed and returned to the BMEC office. The new grant, totaling $18,512, would benefit the migrant student population in the Decatur School District for 12 months.

A vote on the proposed $600 stipend for teachers having an English as a Second Language endorsement on their state teacher’s certificate was called for by board president, Ike Owens. The measure passed unanimously. The new measure will allow a teacher to recover some of the high cost of obtaining the ESL endorsement.

The Model Policy Service update was the final item of the night. The board approved the new policy guidelines for the Decatur School District for the 2013-14 school year. The guide covers such topics as licensed personnel salary schedule, evaluations, employee training, tobacco use, dismissal and non-renewal, social networking and ethics, and weapons on campus. It also covers classified personnel- salary schedule, tobacco use, social networking and ethics, and weapons on campus. A section on the administrator evaluator certification, the implementation of TESS and other evaluation procedures is also included in the policy guidelines. After review of these policies, Owens called for a vote. The new policy will be explained to the district’s employees before the beginning of the upcoming school year.

The next school board meeting, the first for the 2013-14 school year, will be July 15, at 7 p.m.

News, Pages 8 on 07/10/2013