December 20, 2017 at 6:19 p.m.
Test scores go up
Fort Recovery outpaces the Ohio average
Test scores go up
FORT RECOVERY — Third grade test scores continue to go up.
Fort Recovery Elementary School principal Tracy Evers-Westgerdes reported to the school board Tuesday that 61 percent of students rated as proficient or higher on Ohio’s American Institute of Research tests this fall.
The percentage of Fort Recovery students rating as proficient or better far outpaced the state rate of 38 percent. Fifty-eight percent of Fort Recovery students were proficient a year ago.
Fort Recovery also saw improvements within its own numbers. While the percentage of students testing as “advanced,” the highest level, stayed essentially the same, the district saw an increase in the percentage of “accelerated” students to 24 percent from 10 percent in 2016.
Also, 82 percent of the district’s third graders achieved the third grade reading guarantee. Those who did not will retake the test in the spring.
Evers-Westgerdes also pointed out improvement numbers on comprehension of informational text, as 52 percent of Fort Recovery students scored above grade level this year compared to 30 percent last year. She credited the new Wonders reading series from McGraw-Hill.
“It’s tough for the kids,” agreed intervention teacher Kristy Keller, who was in attendance at the meeting. “You really have to think when you’re answering some of the questions. …
Fort Recovery Elementary School principal Tracy Evers-Westgerdes reported to the school board Tuesday that 61 percent of students rated as proficient or higher on Ohio’s American Institute of Research tests this fall.
The percentage of Fort Recovery students rating as proficient or better far outpaced the state rate of 38 percent. Fifty-eight percent of Fort Recovery students were proficient a year ago.
Fort Recovery also saw improvements within its own numbers. While the percentage of students testing as “advanced,” the highest level, stayed essentially the same, the district saw an increase in the percentage of “accelerated” students to 24 percent from 10 percent in 2016.
Also, 82 percent of the district’s third graders achieved the third grade reading guarantee. Those who did not will retake the test in the spring.
Evers-Westgerdes also pointed out improvement numbers on comprehension of informational text, as 52 percent of Fort Recovery students scored above grade level this year compared to 30 percent last year. She credited the new Wonders reading series from McGraw-Hill.
“It’s tough for the kids,” agreed intervention teacher Kristy Keller, who was in attendance at the meeting. “You really have to think when you’re answering some of the questions. …
“It’s really getting kids not to just read quickly. It’s getting them to stop and think about what they’re reading.”
Evers-Westgerdes noted that the school will be using Cogat and IOWA tests to indicate students who meet “gifted” standards. The school had previously used TerraNova.
The board also got a transportation update from superintendent Justin Firks, who has been filling in since the departure of transportation supervisor Kurt Wendel in October. He reported that all seven full-time bus routes are staffed by the same driver in the morning and afternoon and that the district has 22 certified bus drivers along with 11 certified van drivers. It has a total of 11 buses, with a goal of replacing one bus every two years.
Firks suggested that the board put an end to a policy that allows students to be picked up at one location in the morning and dropped off at another in the afternoon. He said Fort Recovery is in the minority in allowing that practice and questioned whether it makes sense when it comes to student safety.
“It’s something to strongly consider as a district,” he said. “It won’t be a popular decision, but I think it’s the right one.”
In other business, the board:
•Recognized outgoing board members Ginny Fortkamp (eight years) and Aaron Guggenbiller (5.5 years) for their service. Both chose not to seek re-election. Greg LeFevre and Nick Wehrkamp will join the board in January.
•Was asked to review a request for a 100-percent, 10-year tax abatement for Cheeseman Trucking, which is planning a $1.7 million expansion. The abatement has already been approved by the county and Recovery Township. The board plans to vote on the request at its January meeting.
•OK’d the 2018-19 school calendar with the first day of school slated for Aug. 22 and the last day May 23. Winter break will run from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.
•Heard from high school principal Marcus Overman that his staff voted unanimously to change the GPA requirement for the National Honor Society to 3.5 from the current 3.3. He also noted that the school’s adopt-a-family program raised $1,150 for 12 local families and senior A.J. Heitkamp finished fourth in a recent RECTech competition and earned a $3,000 scholarship to the University of Northwestern Ohio..
•Approved the following: one-time payments for vacation pay to Kim Grube, Donald Knapke and Vicki Schmitz for 25 days each to reduce their current vacation time balances being carried forward; a memorandum of understanding with Celina City Schools Head Start; an updated employee fringe benefits plan; a field trip for eighth graders March 25 through 30 to Washington, D.C.; a contract with Mercer County Health Department for services in 2018.
•Accepted the resignation of Alan Evers as a fifth and sixth grade basketball coach and approved him as a volunteer coach.
•Renewed its membership with Ohio School Board Association.
•Elected Mitch Ervin president pro-tem for its organizational meeting, which is slated for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9. Its regular meeting will follow.
•Reappointed Pam Fullenkamp to the Fort Recovery Public Library Board.
•Accepted donations totaling $3,360, including $2,600 from Ralph Stuckman for t
Evers-Westgerdes noted that the school will be using Cogat and IOWA tests to indicate students who meet “gifted” standards. The school had previously used TerraNova.
The board also got a transportation update from superintendent Justin Firks, who has been filling in since the departure of transportation supervisor Kurt Wendel in October. He reported that all seven full-time bus routes are staffed by the same driver in the morning and afternoon and that the district has 22 certified bus drivers along with 11 certified van drivers. It has a total of 11 buses, with a goal of replacing one bus every two years.
Firks suggested that the board put an end to a policy that allows students to be picked up at one location in the morning and dropped off at another in the afternoon. He said Fort Recovery is in the minority in allowing that practice and questioned whether it makes sense when it comes to student safety.
“It’s something to strongly consider as a district,” he said. “It won’t be a popular decision, but I think it’s the right one.”
In other business, the board:
•Recognized outgoing board members Ginny Fortkamp (eight years) and Aaron Guggenbiller (5.5 years) for their service. Both chose not to seek re-election. Greg LeFevre and Nick Wehrkamp will join the board in January.
•Was asked to review a request for a 100-percent, 10-year tax abatement for Cheeseman Trucking, which is planning a $1.7 million expansion. The abatement has already been approved by the county and Recovery Township. The board plans to vote on the request at its January meeting.
•OK’d the 2018-19 school calendar with the first day of school slated for Aug. 22 and the last day May 23. Winter break will run from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.
•Heard from high school principal Marcus Overman that his staff voted unanimously to change the GPA requirement for the National Honor Society to 3.5 from the current 3.3. He also noted that the school’s adopt-a-family program raised $1,150 for 12 local families and senior A.J. Heitkamp finished fourth in a recent RECTech competition and earned a $3,000 scholarship to the University of Northwestern Ohio..
•Approved the following: one-time payments for vacation pay to Kim Grube, Donald Knapke and Vicki Schmitz for 25 days each to reduce their current vacation time balances being carried forward; a memorandum of understanding with Celina City Schools Head Start; an updated employee fringe benefits plan; a field trip for eighth graders March 25 through 30 to Washington, D.C.; a contract with Mercer County Health Department for services in 2018.
•Accepted the resignation of Alan Evers as a fifth and sixth grade basketball coach and approved him as a volunteer coach.
•Renewed its membership with Ohio School Board Association.
•Elected Mitch Ervin president pro-tem for its organizational meeting, which is slated for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9. Its regular meeting will follow.
•Reappointed Pam Fullenkamp to the Fort Recovery Public Library Board.
•Accepted donations totaling $3,360, including $2,600 from Ralph Stuckman for t
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