Bath School Board looks at Preliminary SOL scores and grieves Mr. Hicks, automotive teacher

Tuesday night’s School Board meeting in Bath County opened with its usual moment of silence. Board Chair Ellen Miller encouraged all present to hold the family of Mr. Jeff Hicks in their thoughts and prayers. Mr. Hicks, who was a beloved automotive teacher at Bath County High School died on Sunday.

An early item on the agenda was Director Pupil Personnel Services, Jane Hall’s report on the Positive Behavior Intervention System.   She explained how this program has been in place for three years, and now the schools are beginning to see results. Later in the meeting, Sarah Rowe, Bath County High School principal, summarized the proposed change in the high school’s attendance policy to be less punitive, and more constructive for families whose children have legitimate reasons for missing school. Details on the new attendance policy, which the board approved, will be part of this year’s Student Handbook, and also available in the minutes of this meeting on the School Board’s web page.

Both principals present gave enrollment figures for their school. Alison Hicklin said 130 students for Millboro Elementary School, and Sarah Rowe reported 256 for the high school. A figure was not available yet for Valley Elementary at the time of the meeting.

Paul Lancaster, Director of Technology and Administrative Services, explained how the preliminary data for all three schools SOL scores reflects improvement over the past few years.   He emphasized this is only the preliminary data, and that other factors may change it some before final accounting. Both School Board member, Cathy Lowry, and one mother present, expressed considerable concern that based on the preliminary data Valley Elementary’s scores still would earn a “warning” status in the areas of English and Math. Mr. Lancaster continued to describe how, although the available data will be used for accreditation purposes in the next couple of month’s, one current purpose for it is to tailor instruction even more successfully towards students’ needs, and that this will be what results in improved scores for the schools in the future.

It was difficult for the Board to return to closed session after the meeting, but they resolved do it with a three-two vote, and took action on items remaining from their previous meeting.

For the complete list of teaching and staff assignments that were voted on in the closed session, please go to AlleghenyMountainRadio.org on the news page.

This report comes with good wishes for a safe and healthy return to school for all of Bath County’s students and staff.

Bath County Public Schools

School Board Meeting

August 4, 2015

Action Following Closed Meeting