FR ‘index’ increased in 2016-17

FORT RECOVERY — The message on test scores remains the same. They are strong, but there is always room for more improvement.

Superintendent Justin Firks noted Tuesday that Fort Recovery Local Schools’ “performance index” showed a 6.1-point jump as he and principals Marcus Overman, Tony Stahl and Tracy Hein Evers updated Fort Recovery School Board on test scores.

Board members also set new tuition fees for its preschool program.

Fort Recovery students scored “proficient” — 80 percent on a given state American Institute of Research (AIR) test — or better at an 82.5 percent rate (1,337 passing scores on a total of 1,621 tests taken) for the 2016-17 school year. That equates to a “performance index” of 99.1 out of a possible 120.

“That’s a pretty significant jump in one year,” said Firks. “To me, personally, (performance index) is the most accurate … factor that’s out there right now as far as student achievement and growth in a district and how we’re performing …”

The best effort locally came on the eighth grade algebra test, on which all Fort Recovery students ranked as “proficient” or better. Fifteen out of 16 were in the top two scoring categories, with 10 rating as “accelerated” and five as “advanced.”

Also, 97.3 percent of fourth graders passed both the math and social studies tests.

The district’s lowest passage rate came on the freshman algebra I test at 66.1 percent.

As he did a year ago, Firks noted the importance of trying to help the students who are scoring in the “proficient” range reach the “advanced” or “accelerated” levels.

“The category that we really need to focus in on to continue to move our PI score in a positive direction is the students in the middle,” he said. “That’s where we’re going to make the most improvement in our PI score.”

He said he’d like to see the “performance index” number bump up above 105 within the next few years.

“That would put us very, very competitive in the area and also throughout the state as a district as far as being considered one of the best of the best,” said Firks. “But it’s going to take time and effort. The great thing is we have teachers that are willing to work, we have students willing to work. I think together we can get it done.”

Board members Ginny Fortkamp, Aaron Guggenbiller, Mike Grube, Jose Faller and Mitch Ervin approved preschool tuition increases of $10 for most options.

Tuition for three and four days per week for students in the district went up to $130 and $155 respectively while the cost for students outside the district is now $145 and $170. The fee for two days per week was unchanged.

Firks noted that the goal is for the preschool program to be self sustaining while also remaining affordable. It is paid for through both state grants and tuition, which Hein Evers said is comparable to programs run by Parkway and Celina schools.

In other business, the board:

•Recognized Shannon Knoth for finishing as the second-ranked student in the class of 2017. Knoth climbed into the No. 2 spot when the final semester was included. Valedictorian and salutatorian honors were given based on results of the first seven semesters.

•Accepted the resignations of Val Fortkamp (junior high girls basketball coach), Miranda Muhlenkamp (junior high girls basketball assistant coach) and Greg Kahlig (junior high football assistant coach).

•Hired Melissa Homan as a preschool teacher and Jill Ranly and Beth Guggenbiller as preschool aides.

•Heard from Overman that work at the high school over the summer has included new curbs near the commons doors, a new floor at Fort Site Fieldhouse, moving the athletics director’s office to near the main doors with a window for advance ticket sales, painting and removal of outdated radiators.

•Approved the following: a memorandum of understanding with Rea & Associates to verify data reported on medicaid school program agency cost reports for 2016 through ’18; handbooks for the 2017-18 school year; and Mitch Ervin as delegate to Ohio School Board Association’s Capital Conference in November with Mike Grube as the alternate.

•Set athletic ticket prices for the 2017-18 school year as follows: varsity football and boys basketball - $7 (or $6 in advance); varsity volleyball and girls basketball - $6 for adults and $4 for students; high school track and middle school football, volleyball, basketball and track - $3 for adults and $2 for students.

•Heard from Firks that a committee recommends that an additional coach be added for football because of increased participation. He said the new position would bring Fort Recovery in line with other area schools with similar numbers of students participating in the sport.

•Approved contracts for the following coaches: Esther Stephen (softball); Jerry Kaup (baseball); Kevin Eyink (assistant baseball); Miranda Muhlenkamp (junior high girls basketball); Christy Diller (junior high cross country); Val Fortkamp (junior high assistant girls basketball) and Darien Sheffer (junior high assistant football). Also approved the following volunteer coaches: Harold Fiely and Jeff Wendel (assistant baseball); Ryan Thien (assistant softball); and Cathy Timmerman (assistant swim).

•Accepted more than $3,300 in donations, including $2,849 from Fort Recovery Community Foundation for FFA.

•OK’d Nancy Abels, Denise Bruns, Sheri Grover, Tammie Heiser, Kathleen Heitkamp, Janet Hummel, Alicia Jutte, Kathleen Jutte, Sandra Kaiser, Lisa Lennartz, Anthony Overton, Nancy Reinhard, Charlene Pearson, Barbara Sautbine, Peggy Siefring, Jill Walter, Eileen Wendel and Angie Will as substitute teachers.

•Approved a field trip for a yearbook workshop July 17 through 19 at Kenyon College.