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Superintendent's Scoop |
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A great year behind, a better year ahead |
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June 27, 2017 |
By Superintendent Gary Pfleuger
Boundary County School District 101
Being in the proud profession of teaching and
learning for 40 years now, I will start with a
multiple choice question, “What did I learn this
year?” Select one: A) Learning never stops, B)
Communication is key, C) Mistakes are
educational, D) Respect and trust are earned, or
E) All of the above.
Easy enough question even though the answers are
sometimes hard to come by!
Overall, we had a wonderful school year and
thanks to all the answers listed above, this
will continue into 2017-2018 and beyond. As I
will always do, let’s base our progress on safe,
civil and productive actions.
We have been productive! Let’s look at the
academic data: All students, K-12, are given a
writing task in the fall, winter and spring.
These are scored on a rubric created by our
staff. All grades levels showed progress! The
written word is king!
District wide, the ISAT proficiency rates have
increased, though not as much as I would like to
see. We had many teachers pilot the ISAT/SBAC
Interim Assessments before the “one that
counts.” The students who participated showed
superior progress. The interim assessments will
be utilized to a greater extent next year. On
the CTE Idaho Work Place Readiness Exam, 90% of
our students earned a certificate of
proficiency.
Can we do better on the Idaho State measures?
Yes, of course we can! It is time to raise the
behavioral and academic expectations once again!
Together with student progress comes
professional development for our staff. At the
end of this school year, our science teachers
attended a workshop focusing on core academic
standards with hands-on practical experience.
During the month of August, 50 of our K-12
teachers will attend PEAK Training in Kellogg
for a three-day workshop. The focus is on
teacher-student relations, best practices and
classroom management strategies. This week will
hit all three of our goals: safe, civil &
productive.
We have also shown productivity in the extra and
co-curricular programs. Robotics continues to be
competitive at an international level. Our band,
choir, drama and visual arts programs are doing
just that … making works of ART! Athletically,
we were competitive in every area. This year
proudly finishing with both softball and
baseball in the state championship contest.
In all areas, we have improved our competitive
skills and have been acknowledged as positive
sportsmen, both on and off the athletic field.
This year civility has been displayed by our
students and spectators alike. Respect leads the
way in true competition; this is Badger Pride!
To help improve communication and fiscal
responsibility, I formed a Financial
Understanding Committee. This first year was
primarily learning the complicated system which
oversees public education. Next year we will get
into it deeper.
For me, the biggest challenge is what to do
about our aging elementary schools. The cost of
upkeep for Valley View will require much study.
I assure you this will come with openness and
community involvement. It is the community who
must approve any decision.
Last year, through the sale of Evergreen
Elementary School, we were able to make major
and much needed improvements throughout the
district. Mr. Cal Bateman, our Business Manager,
has worked long hours on the budget process. The
aim is to provide a clear understanding of our
financial status to the Board of Trustees, the
BCEA and the community.
I would be remiss at this point, if I did not
offer my sincere gratitude for supporting the
supplemental levy in March of this past school
year. It is only through your support, we can
further our school program.
Our challenges will always be great! Next year,
we will continue to communicate the strength of
the “8 in 6 Program,” an advanced opportunities
program which begins in the middle school. At
BFHS we will clearly define the track of study
best suited for each individual student: college
bound, vocational, military or alternative. I
will again encourage students to enter teaching
as a profession through partnership with the
College of Education.
Every student has options!
Enrollment predictions are always a guessing
game. At this point, we have tentative numbers
which show an increase in enrollment. I think
word is getting out about the special
opportunities available in the Boundary County
School District. If you know of folks with
children moving to town, have them contact us at
the District Office so we can better prepare.
I thank you for allowing me at least one more
year serving the children in Boundary County
School District #101.
To close, I would like to thank the best
administrative team I have ever had the
opportunity and honor to serve with: Kevin
Dinning-BFHS, David Miles-BCMS, Nathan Williams-VVES,
Robin Merrifield-Naples and
Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment Coordinator,
Lisa Iverson-Mount Hall and Title One/Migrant
Director and, introducing Sara Yoder, as our new
Special Education Director.
Expect the best from all of us. Your kids
deserve it! |
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