Farmington School Board approves budget

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Board of Education heard updates on the AYP and MAP achievements in the district, enrollment in the district and the first quarter budget Tuesday night during the Farmington School Board meeting.

Roblyn Hatch and Kim Amsden went over the assessment plan for the district. Once a year the Board of Education must review the District Assessment plan because it makes sure the board members and staff are aware of any changes to assessment within the district and keeps all stakeholders informed as a result of the review.

Each of the principals gave a report about their MAP testing and Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) to the school board. They also presented their goals for this year as a way to help the students to improve their scores.

Assistant Superintendent Sarah Long reported on the Annual Performance Report and Achievement Report to the board. For both federal and state requirements, students must participate in the Missouri Assessment Program and take MAP tests in grades 3 through 8 and end of adequate yearly progress which determines school districts and buildings which go into “school improvement.”

Currently, the district is in district improvement level three, middle school is in “Non Title I School Improvement Year 4,” Lincoln is in “Non Title I School Improvement Year 2” and no other buildings are at any level of sanctions.

The scores are also part of the state accreditation and honors for the accreditation report Annual Performance Report which determines state accreditation and honors. For the APR there are 14 performance standards as well as bonus points. The most weight is given to the achievement sections. Those must be met, along with a minimum of 13 overall points to be considered “Distinction of Performance.”

Assistant Superintendent Laura Zammito gave a report on the number of students in the district enrolled in September. The number of students for September 2011 exceeds the 2010 count by 17.8 students and the 2011 number exceeds the previous six year average by 129.16 students.

A comparison of the September 2006 enrollment and the January 2011 reflects an increase of 226.82 students or 5.9 percent.

The board approved the first quarter budget which is an adjusted budget with total estimated revenue of $34,131,775 and total proposed expenditures of $33,311,471.

The board approved the consensual items, regular session minutes, September bills, 2011-12 transportation route file listing, student achievement AYP, student achievement MAP, student enrollment and first quarter budget report.

Superintendent Dr. Natalie Thomas said she wanted to remind everyone parent-teacher conferences will be held this week in the district Wednesday and Thursday. Students will have an early dismissal on Thursday and no school on Friday. 

Shirley Bieser gave the featured teacher at Truman Kindergarten Center to Ellen Flesh. She said she is a positive force and a leading example for their students learning.

Heartland Hero award for Truman Kindergarten Center is Mr. and Mrs. Terry Leach for the Truman Safety Day they organize every year. They have organized the event for 10 years as a way to familiarize the children with the safety vehicles and teach them about safety. Last year they added the fingerprinting station and this year they added the St. Francois County Health Department, Smokey the Bear and the smokehouse.

“Thanks to everyone and we couldn’t do it without everyone else,” said Terry.

Stacy Williams gave the Featured Staff member to Helen Jones for the month of October.

The next Farmington School Board meeting will be held on Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Farmington School Board building on Ste. Genevieve Avenue.

Maridee Lawson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 756-8927 or mlawson@dailyjournalonline.com.