SA scores top state average (1/12/05)

BERNE — Grades three, six and eight all scored above state average on ISTEP tests here.

Elementary, middle and high school principals reported on the scores at Tuesday’s South Adams School Board meeting.

South Adams Elementary School principal Jeff Rich reported that 79 percent of third graders passed the English/language arts portion of the test topping the 75 percent state average. A total of 78 percent of third graders passed the math, with the state average at 73 percent.

“We did a lot better in reading comprehension. That is exciting because that is what we placed emphasis on,” Rich said.

South Adams Middle School principal Scott Litwiller reported that 73 percent of six graders passed the English portion and 84 percent passed math. The state average for English is 70 percent and 75 percent in math.

“This is the highest percentage scored by (South Adams) sixth graders in the history that I know of,” Litwiller said of the sixth graders’ math scores.

South Adams High School principal Brent Lehman told the board that 69 percent of eighth graders passed the English portion of the test and 74 percent passed math. The state average for English is 67 percent passing and math is 71 percent.

Lehman also reported that results of the Graduation Qualifying Exam taken by sophomores in 2004 will arrive in early March. There were 22 juniors and seniors who needed to pass the math test and 22 that needed to pass the English test.

Of the 22 students that took the math test, seven passed it, he said. Seven students also passed the English test.

Juniors and seniors who have not passed the GQE still have other chances to take the test before graduation, Lehman added.

Also Tuesday, Lehman announced that SAHS was named an Indiana Best Buy by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber looks at a school’s attendance rate, ISTEP scores, SAT participation percentage, graduation rate, SAT composite scores, expenditures per student and at risk factors including income levels and the number of single parent homes, for this award.

SAHS was one of 157 schools to receive this distinction in Indiana for 2004.

“This recognition is also because of the (efforts) at the elementary and middle schools,” Lehman said.

He added that because SAHS is an at risk school, it was named an honor roll school.

In other business, Lehman reported that SAHS will continue to offer vocational classes, including auto mechanics and building trades.

SAHS is part of the Area 18 program which allows students to take vocational classes offered at other schools. There are a total of 23 courses offered through Area 18.

Also Tuesday, board members:

•Approved year-end transfers made to balance accounts in the corporation’s budget by Jan. 1.

“We didn’t have to make any transfers between funds,” South Adams Schools superintendent Connie Bailey said.

•Decided to meet for a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at SAHS to discuss summer maintenance projects at the high school.

•Accepted the donation of a used copier from Geneva resident David Cummings to SAMS.

•Approved the second and final reading of a revised facility usage policy for gymnasiums at the high, middle and elementary schools.

It will charge all non-school sponsored events $20 per hour for a custodian to be at a school for a group’s event on Saturdays. The change affects all non-school-sponsored volleyball, soccer and AAU basketball teams.

•Announced the Feb. 8 board meeting will be held at the elementary school.

•Elected board president Arlene Amstutz as president and board member Tony Mellencamp as secretary of the board of finance organization.[[In-content Ad]]