Public input favorable towards Palmyra R-I School District CSIP, future plans
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by Patty Cheffey
Those attending the community program concerning the school’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, were favorable to the school’s goals outlined in the plan.
All cycle 2 schools, of which Palmyra is one, are required to submit a CSIP to the state by Oct. 1, according to Superintendent Jason Harper.
The initial CSIP was submitted in July, he added, noting it is broken down into six areas including leadership, effective teaching and learning, collaborative climate and culture, data-based decision making, alignment of standards, curriculum and assessment.
The administrative team took community members through each of the CSIP standards and building principals reported on various aspects of the CSIP plan as it related to their facility, with the elementary school principals, Bridgette Augspurg and Jessica Gottman noting the adoption of two tiers of social-emotional curriculum this year.
Tier 1 is a whole group curriculum for classes kindergarten through eighth grade. Tier 2 is a small group curriculum and is based on skills a child is lacking.
They also both noted since there is a big push for literacy in the state, the school is moving towards a more structured literacy program which aligns to the state’s guidelines.
Steven Kerr and Kylee Meyer from the middle school noted they have been concentrating on the effective teaching and learning aspect of the CSIP plan, including the individual career academic plan (ICAP) which helps eighth graders prepare for high school.
That plan is structured so students can change classes and programs as their plans change as they go through high school, Kerr said.
Matt Thomas, PHS assistant principal, noted the various programs offered at the high school to help prepare students for future goals, whether that be college, vo-tech schools or work force.
The high school offers everything from dual credit to the A+ program to job shadowing and vo-tech as well as the flex plan, which allows students to start their day at different times if they are taking college classes or working.
Thomas also noted the addition to the staff of a post secondary advisory, who has arranged several things to help the students make future decisions, including career and college fairs.
Addy Gottman, the curriculum director, noted the district has adopted a career ladder, whereby teachers can earn additional income by doing mentoring and other things above and beyond the classroom.
She also noted the curriculum being used in the district aligns to the state’s guidelines.
The board and administration took questions and comments from the community members. Items such as communication and the difficulties with the school website were brought up.
Community members were also asked to write down comments and if they would be interested in participating on the CSIP committee in the future.
Harper also went through the five-year facilities plan which is part of the CSIP plan.
During that time the board of education and Harper discussed the possibility of running a no tax increase bond issue to update facilities. It has not been determined when that would occur, but there are issues at all three buildings that will need addressed in the near future.
Harper noted the district’s current bond issues will be retired in 2031 and other in 2039, although that one will soon be refinanced, which could shorten the time or make the payments smaller.
If the board pursues putting a bond issue on the ballot in April 2024, it could still be 2025 or later before all the improvements could be made.
However, passage of the bond issue now would allow the district to start locking in prices now.
If the bond is put on the April 2024 ballot, the bonding capacity would be between $7 million and $8 million. If the board waits to 2025, the bonding capacity would increase by 11 percent, Harper said.
Harper reviewed several items on the district’s list, including those affecting facilities.
Those include replacing the high school gym and bleachers, which will probably not pass inspection the next time and renovating the 1971 wing of the high school, which includes the cafeteria, kitchen, FACS room, art room, locker rooms and band room.
Other items on the facility list include a secured entrance, and a stage and sound room at the middle school; renovation of the commons area, a new PRIDE room and new tennis courts at the high school and replacement of galvanized pipes, asbestos tile removal, and playground improvements at the elementary school.
District-wide facility improvements include LED lighting and more storage.
A concern was raised over LED lighting as it can bring on some health issues, including migraines and seizures in some people.
Harper noted everything on the list still needs to be researched.
Personnel changes would include a communication specialist for the district, reading specialist at the elementary and middle schools, an agriculture instructor at the middle school, a second vocal/instrumental instructor at the high school and a middle school wrestling coach.
The instruction improvements would include high school business computer labs, vocation building trades and in-house dual credit teachers at the high school and library computer labs at the middle school.
In addition improvements to the student-teacher ratio at the elementary school is listed.
Some improvements have already been made or will be in the near future, Harper said, including district wide security cameras and new air conditioning units, the addition of a middle school assistant principal, varsity girls wrestling coach and strength and conditioning coach and the adoption of the career ladder and social-emotional curriculum.
In other business, the board approved Delaina Tinker as a Parents as Teachers parent educator.
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