Highland County Public Schools Superintendent Responds to Questions Posed at September 12 Meeting

At the September 12 meeting of the Highland County Public School Board, Allegheny Mountain Radio posed several questions during open comment that the board did not respond to at the time. We have since received answers via email and wanted to share those with you. 

The first question concerned the new accreditation model and what Highland County parents should expect with the changes. Superintendent Dr. Drew Maerz reports that he attended a training on September 17 concerning the new School Performance and Support Framework. This new reporting system, which has been highly discussed among Virginia school systems, combines federal accountability with the state accreditation system. The fear of most districts, as discussed in both local and national press, is that the new model places most school districts in an under performing category. 

In his email statement, Dr. Maerz said, “a majority of this framework will revolve around SOL scores. Mastery will include Proficiency on Reading SOL, Math SOL, Science SOL , theVirginia Alternative Assessments (VAAP), as well as Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency for English Learners.  Growth  will assess students making expected annual growth on the Reading SOL  and Math SOL as measured by VVAAS (Virginia Visualization and Analytics Solution). Each school level will also have a Readiness Measure. The elementary school readiness measures include Chronic Absenteeism and a new 5 C’s Performance task (starting in 2025-2026). Middle school readiness will include Chronic Absenteeism, Advanced Coursework (high school classes), and a Career 5C’s Performance Task (starting in 2025-2026). High school readiness will include Chronic Absenteeism, 6-year Extended Graduation Rate with Applied Studies, and a Ready for Life 3E (Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment) Framework.  High Schools will also be measured on the 4-year cohort graduation rate.” 

There was no answer to our question on when the reports would be posted on the website or what parents should expect as far as Highland County Public School’s rankings. Dr. Maerz did say he plans to share more information at the October School Board Meeting

Funding models for Highland County Public Schools are tied to Title I funds, which prompted our second question. According to the Virginia Department of Education, “Funding under section 1003 of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) is awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support schools identified for comprehensive, targeted, or additional targeted support and improvement. Title I, Part A provides financial assistance through state educational agencies to school divisions and public schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and achievement standards.”

The Office of School Quality, which is also the agency overseeing the new School Performance and Support Framework issues Title I funds. Highland County Public Schools policy under Teacher Qualifications in the student handbook says, “Schools receiving Title I funds must give timely notice to parents if their child has been assigned or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable state certifications or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned as defined by the Every Student Succeeds Act.” After a discussion with multiple parents, it was found that these notifications were not made and parents were left concerned. 

Dr. Maerz response says, “The Highland Elementary School and Highland High School Title I program currently serve students in a targeted assistance model (VDOE Schools 24-25).  In a targeted assistance model, any teacher paid with Title I funds must be properly licensed and endorsed for the grades and subjects they teach.  We currently have one teacher paid through the Title I grant and she is fully licensed.  Therefore, notification is not required.”

Our final question concerned parental notification of students who may come in contact with a Highland teacher involved in an ongoing investigation due to a report of inappropriate conduct with students. According to Dr. Maerz, “As a division, we will interview and collect data from all involved parties. When the investigation is concluded, the complainant/reporter and the subject staff member will receive a written report of the findings. Should the findings warrant the notification of other parties, they will be shared at that time. A staff member’s involvement in an investigation of a complaint or report does not, in itself, warrant parent notification.”