SA posts strong test scores

BERNE — South Adams Schools earned its best ISTEP scores yet.
ISTEP scores for 2014 were officially announced last week and 85 percent of third through eighth graders passed both language arts and math, superintendent Scott Litwiller said at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
The board also approved funding the RISQ program.
Eighty-seven percent of South Adams third through eighth grade students passed language arts portion of the ISTEP test while 95 percent passed math.
“That is outstanding. Overall, (we’re) very pleased, very proud,” Litwiller said. “We just tend to keep climbing.”
The goal for coming years is to have 90 percent of students passing both tests. But new standards are reshaping the test, which could result in a challenge for 2015, he said.
“It’s kind of like winning that big ball game … we know we have another big game coming up,” Litwiller added.
In addition to learning about the ISTEP scores, the board also approved funding the RISQ program.
RISQ is a court-administered alternative to out-of-school suspension for middle school and high school students. It’s a partnership between the three public school systems in Adams County and the Adams County Community Corrections Program.
Community corrections will fund 25 percent of the program, which is estimated to be $11,596, while the three schools fund the rest of the program. Each school’s contribution will be based on this fall’s enrollment.
Litwiller said the program cost $9,983.55 last year and 12 students made up 19 referrals to the RISQ program.
“It’s not a lot of students, but it is effective,” Litwiller said.
The board, absent Amy Orr and John Mann, unanimously approved funding the program.
In other business Tuesday, board members Arlene Amstutz, John Buckingham, Julie Mansfield, Ray Gill and Landon Patterson:
•Recognized students and staff who participated in the June trip to Haiti for the Dots in Blue Water program. Teacher Michael Baer told the board the trip went well.
•Heard from Litwiller that the school year is off to a great start. Students and teachers arrived to South Adams Schools on Tuesday to begin another year.
•Learned 32 students are enrolled in the Crossing Alternative School. The school plans to move to a larger space in October because space is tight, Litwiller said.
•Heard an update on summer facility projects from director of building and maintenance Dave Vorhees. He said most of the projects are complete, including landscaping, a new roof over the pool and running power to the facility’s pavilion. Plans to expand the wash bay at the bus garage are about three weeks to a month behind schedule and the estimated cost is higher than originally anticipated. Litwiller said the project is estimated to cost about $100,000 but could cost as much as $170,000.
•Heard an update about technology from technology director Myra Moore. Moore said there are plenty of iPads for all students and some new technology programs are being offered this year. An online payment option is now available for parents to pay some school expenses.
“It’s just one more resource we’re offering to parents,” she said.
Also, three different tools are now being offered to increase awareness and communication among the school community. Parents are able to sign up to receive text messages about school alerts and announcements. The school also added Facebook and Twitter feeds to its website.
The school has three Twitter accounts, one for the entire corporation, one for athletics and one for the superintendent.
•Approved advertising the proposed 2015 budget. A public hearing is scheduled for the board’s regular meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 9, and the board plans to vote to adopt the budget Oct. 14.
•Approved a cell phone reimbursement allowance of $30 per month for six administrators and four directors.
•Appointed Litwiller to serve as the administrative representative on the School Employees Benefit Trust board.
•Appointed Gill as the school board’s legislative delegate for the Indiana School Board Association.
•Accepted the retirement of custodian Dean Zimmerman, who has been a custodian at South Adams since 1995. It also accepted the resignation of part-time high school nurse Sheba Davidson.
•Approved the employment of Barry Humble for a temporary position as a migrant school support teacher. Also approved allowing educator Susie Amstutz and Litwiller to hire other staff for the migrant school as needed.
•Set a work session to review policies at 6 p.m. Oct. 7.
•Approved hiring for the following extra curricular positions: Jennifer Thompson (auditorium director and vocal music); Andrew Steffen (auditorium director); Margie Dobler (auxiliary corp.); Karen Moser (elementary musical); Margie Liechty (elementary yearbook); Brenda Beitler (middle school yearbook); Lana Shoaf (high school yearbook); Sheila Graber (student government high school); Ashley Fosnaugh and Jen White (student government middle school); Grant Moser, Ashley Buckingham, Luke McClung and Jane Miller (high school class sponsors); Steve Tatman (English department head); Ashley Buckingham (PE/health department head); Kevin McClung (math department head); Curt Amstutz (music/art); Michael Baer (science department head); Jessie O’Dell (social studies department head); Gary McMillan (auto/machine department head); Josh Hendrixson (special education department head). Also Jeff Bradtmiller, Cindy Sprunger, Brad Buckingham and Marty Goller (team leaders); Sue Inniger, Becky Dubach, Tiffany Gorrell, Kathy King, Andy Sommer, Jamie Gerber, Joni Bixler, Betsy Minnich, Jen King, Kristin Brown, Emily Cook and Wendy Baumer (elementary grade chairs); Steve Tatman (national honor society); and Kathy Turner (chess club sponsor grades 4 and 5).