SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS
August 10, 2021 - 6:00 PM
CASD School Board committees are designed to divide the labor of the board into manageable categories. As such, board members are better prepared for full board meetings. This ultimately improves the quality of board decision making.
CCAP has decided to take a different
approach to writing recaps. Instead of just offering a summary of the board meetings in their entirety, we will be focusing on what we believe to be significant agenda items. We will include context and information to promote discussion. It is our hope that this will allow our community members to engage more in the district’s decision making process by voicing opinions on current school board topics.
The board meeting in its entirety can be found on the District YouTube channel. The agenda, documents, and recording of all votes can be found on board docs.
Region 1 Board OpeningCoatesville Area School District Board Member James Bookman has informed the Board and Administration that he is resigning for personal reasons, effective August 10, 2021.
The Board will make every attempt to fill Mr. Bookman’s unexpired term which ends on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Information to apply can be found on the District website at this link .
Education Committee Agenda
BRIEF OVERVIEW | ITEMS OF TO NOTE
Last year the Board approved for
teachers to engage in the work of writing curriculum. Now we are seeing a
responsible process to replace the programs that the previous administration
adopted, which CCAP, teachers, and other community members had been very
outspoken about the decline in our test scores resulting from these ineffective
programs.
CCAP note: We join the community in being ESTATIC that CASD is finally taking steps to improve curriculum.
ELA Program to be replaced: Lucy Calkins Units of Study
Recent research confirms what the
community has been declaring: that it is "failing kids." The
nonprofit educational consulting group Student Achievement Partners (SAP)
released a report
which asked prominent reading researchers to review Calkins' Units of Study,
more commonly known as "reading workshop."
David Paige, an associate professor
at Bellarmine University and one of seven researchers who conducted the review
weighed in: "This is in direct opposition to an enormous body of settled
research and even runs contrary to the Units of Study foundational
skills materials that support the teaching of phonics." He explained, they
don't provide children with the kind of explicit instruction and practice time
that research has shown is needed for all students to develop good reading
skills. "The materials are contradictory," Paige said in an
interview. (SOURCE:APM REPORTS)
- Open Court, a research-based
comprehensive K–5 reading, writing, and language arts curriculum that aligns
with the science of reading.
o
Open Court Reading uses systematic,
explicit instruction with a carefully designed instructional sequence and
built-in scaffolding. The program builds on prior learning, builds from simple
to complex, and covers all five components of literacy: phonemic awareness,
phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Lessons are divided into
Foundational Skills, Reading and Responding, and Language Arts. Each part is
supported by differentiated strategies for students at all levels of ability,
as well as English language learners.
- Amplify CKLA K-5, Skills Strand and
Knowledge Strand (CCAP note: this is a program that will need a curriculum)
o
CKLA was built on decades of
literacy research often referred to as the science of reading. The program
emphasizes the development of foundational reading skills
(phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics, etc.) and the development of
language comprehension skills (vocabulary, background knowledge, etc.) to
support reading comprehension. Staff will pilot the foundational skills and
knowledge components of the program.
- Amplify ELA (6-7) is standards
aligned, includes differentiation to support all learners, and contains
embedded formative assessment to guide/inform instruction.
o
The program also addresses key
shifts in the Core Standards including close reading, text-based evidence,
writing from sources, and an emphasis on academic vocabulary. Lessons/units
reflect increasing text complexity, the development of content knowledge over
time, and a balance of texts (fiction and non-fiction). Select staff will pilot
all components of the program.
- Wit & Wisdom (6-7), a
comprehensive English Language Arts program aligned to the PA Core Standards.
o
Within the program, reading,
writing, speaking, listening, academic vocabulary, and grammar are taught in an
integrated, holistic fashion through authentic texts. Wit & Wisdom consists
of content-rich modules of study. Each module centers on the study of rich and
engaging texts, curated to build student knowledge of important ideas in the
liberal arts and the sciences. The program is designed to maximize student
engagement, includes built-in differentiation to meet the needs of all
learners, and contains supports for English language learners.
ELA Programs to be piloted by
teachers (Under the
direction of Cassandra Jones, Administrator on Assignment)
CCAP note: Again,
kudos to the District for seeking the input from our teachers who know our
children’s needs best, and we have much confidence in Cassandra Jones's
leadership.
High School Spanish Curriculum
Proposal - Submitted by high school campus
Spanish teachers
Music Curriculum Programs (K-5) to be piloted by teachers
CCAP Note: The district’s
commitment to the arts in order to continue to promote well-rounded students is greatly appreciated.
- Quaver provides a comprehensive set
of curriculum resources that is built on a
foundation of standards-based lessons full of interactive elements. Access to
ready-to-use lessons aligned to standards and a growing library of over 6,500
individual resources with powerful customization functionality to suit various
student learning styles.
- GamePlan
is an all-encompassing elementary music curriculum written by Randy DeLelles
and Jeff Kriske. The curriculum is packaged by grade level and follows much of
the Orff process through a sequential lens like the Kodaly Method. Game Plan is
a program with specific lessons and activities to cover a whole school year per
grade level with a well-planned sequence of engaging activities. GamePlan also
has a heavy focus on movement and creative play.
CCAP Note: We look forward to seeing the same
diligence from the District in replacing the CPM (College Preparatory Math)
Program.
CCAP leadership would love any input
on the programs that the teachers are piloting. If you know about their use in
other districts or have any information to help inform the community about them
- please comment on this post.
BRIEF OVERVIEW | ITEMS OF CONCERN
Financial Statements passed with no discussion. Statements can be found at the following links Treasurer's Report, Bill List, Expenditures, Revenues
CCAP Note: Could more of the covid relief funds be used to help avoid additional future costs? For example, updating and replacing old technology.
Collegium Charter School - Release and Settlement Agreement Passed with no discussion.
CCAP Note: Transparency is necessary to rebuild trust in the community. Why was nothing discussed or shared with the public at this meeting? If this is a confidential settlement, the Board should state that.
Human Resources Report passed. Mr Fisher recognized Mrs. Sullivan for 16 years of service. The full report can be found here Enclosure
INFORMATIONAL ITEM(s) AND/OR IMPORTANT
PRESENTATIONS
2021-2022 School
District Budget Update - Lori Diefenderfer (Enclosure)
Actual received funding from the state
was $619,590 more than estimated. This will help balance our 2021-2022 budget.
Reminder that 2022-2023 scheduled budget debt payments will
increase by 9.3 million. This is in addition to continued charter
school enrollment increase and special ed costs rising.
Discussion:
Finkbohner – We continue to see enrollment
decline in Elementary levels. It would be good to see a presentation
about efforts to counter enrollment decreases in Elementary including
education and special education components.
Hanna – As a team we have been
working to recruit and retain students. Look forward to being more
public about that effort.
Fisher – Education committee passed
multiple motions that move us in the right direction. We need to
promote those things.
CCAP Note: The board again discussed the need to improve enrollment and the importance of sharing and promoting it. When will the community see the strategies that the paid consultant presented at a recent board meeting?
Operations Committee Agenda
BRIEF OVERVIEW | ITEMS OF CONCERN
Approval of 2021-2022 Bus Runs
A
few months ago CASD partnered with Kraft to help oversee and support with the
routing. Mr. Hanna explained that he has been pleased
about the outcome and has been looking more long term to see what other
types of savings and efficiencies can be build into the routing system, to have a better experience
for our students. Mr. Hanna also said that CASD should be able
to get out the routes to families by the end of this week.
Mr. Hanna also gave us an update on
the bus driver shortage. Kraft is still looking to fill 10 bus
driver positions for the school year, however they're confident
they'll be able to fill them. This year, bus routes are structured, there is an
opportunity to be able to consolidate if needed.
CCAP Note: This was a nightmare for the community last year and a terrible look for CASD. The District must not have a repeat situation with a busing problem. Will the consolidated routes solve the problem? What are the concerns with that consolidation? Does the District have a plan C if the consolidation doesn't work or the consolidation is going to again cause mass confusion and concern?
Mr. Pelegrin recently delivered about
1000 masks to the to the bus company to assist when a student is at the bus stop without a mask in order for bus drivers to be able to provide one.
CCAP Note: As we are looking at a new Covid variant and the likelihood of mandatory masking again, we appreciate the reflection on a problem from last year and a solution to help prevent the problem in the future.
Provident Energy Consulting
Last Tuesday, Mike Lang, Principal of Provident Energy Consulting gave a presentation about how their company finds energy
savings for the district through building improvements. In the process
they find companies to do those improvements that would partner with the
district to provide stem incentives. This
aligns with the districts goals for building improvement, learning
environment enhancement, and incorporating stem.
The proposal detailed at this last board meeting will
cost the district $11-$15 million, and will save the district
$330,000/yr for a total of $8 million over 20 years. This includes an
HVAC solution at Reeceville and HVAC improvements at other
schools. ESSERS funds can possibly be used.
The recommended partner for this project is Siemens, who
has a regional presence. Siemens is offering the district a STEM grant
of $75,000 to partner with them. You can see their presentation here. Policy Committee Agenda
BRIEF OVERVIEW | ITEMS OF CONCERN
Mr. Hannah briefly explained that the district has been updating their board policies and aren't making any significant changes. You can see all these new board policies in the Agenda link above.
CCAP will do a separate blogpost regarding the plan for the reopening of schools. There has been no decision made as to masking in school.
You
can watch the entire board meeting on CASD's YouTube
