Board of Education Meeting Recap
November 5th, 2024
Fall Athletics Update
Relevant Policy: Results (R) 3: Well-Being
Director of Athletics & Activities Adam Stiner shared a summary of fall athletics with the Board of Education (BOE). Four hundred seventy-one (471) students participated in fall sports. They earn an average GPA of 3.43 in the 2024-25 first quarter. Fall sports say 228 letter winners, with 95 first-time letter winners and 114 first-time letter winners in a 2nd or 3rd sport. The seasons were very successful, with 59 All-Conference honorees and 3 Big 8 Conference Coaches of the Year. Eleven (11) individuals and 3 relays achieved All-area/region/state recognition and 2 students were state runner-ups in individual events.
In Departmental updates, Director Stiner shared that Sidney Peach has been named Assistant Director of Athletics and Activities. The Department has been upping its social media game with a new Instagram account. They also started a new newsletter in November. Director Stiner has started pre- and post-season meetings with head coaches. He administered a survey to varsity student-athletes, caregivers, and head coaches to learn more about the impact of athletics and the relationships between student-athletes and coaches.
Human Growth & Development
Relevant Policy: Operational Expectation (OE) 11: Instructional Program
Executive Director of Student Services Dr. Angela Hawkins and Human Growth & Development (HGD) Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Members Diana Castellanos and Dr. Jeremy Scott, Memorial Baptist Church Pastor, provided a summary of the group’s December 12, 2024 meeting.
The HGC Committee learned about the content/lessons taught at the elementary level to 4th and 5th grade students. Schools decide when the lesson is taught during the year. The 60-90 minute lesson is taught by the school nurse, either on a class-by-class basis or to the whole grade level. Students have the opportunity to ask questions verbally or in writing on paper or digitally. The nurse responds to student questions related to topics taught in 4th and 5th grade, directing students to their families for questions that don’t relate to these topics, or foreshadowing when they will receive information on those topics in future years. Parents and Caregivers receive a preview letter and digital resources, and they may indicate they do not want their students to participate using the Opt Out Form. At the high school level, students learn about healthy relationships, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and consent in their Physical Education Foundations class in 9th Grade.
HGD Ad hoc Committee members asked questions about the structure (all students together, students split into groups) and the basis for comparison of the curriculum – are we aiming to meet certain goals (what are the goals?) and are we doing the best we can do? Is the curriculum delivered online and does the online course have the same content as the in-person course at VAHS? They also asked questions about the order of the units.
Member Peguero asked about the layer of mental health related to HGD. He also asked about the inclusion of information and supports related to the representation of LGBTQIA+ students and families in the curriculum. Member Murphy appreciated the group looking beyond whether or not VASD is meeting the standards to what our goals are and how we can best meet them. Member White the preview letter and opt-out opportunities for families who would prefer to make that choice. Dr. Hawkins shared that families may view the lesson videos before the lessons occur and share any questions with staff. They can then use this information to decide if their child will participate or if they will opt them out. Pastor Scott said he had initial questions about these issues and he feels the opportunity for families to watch the lesson videos is helpful as they make decisions related to their child’s participation. In addition, Pastor Scott thinks educational opportunities for families about how to engage in conversations about HGD with their children could be helpful.
Next, the group will experience a middle school lesson and explore what other school districts are doing. They would also like to hear from nurses who deliver HGD lessons in classrooms. The next meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2025.
State Report Card Results
Relevant Policy: Results (R) 2: Academic Achievement
Executive Director of Academic Services Amy Engelkins and Director of Pupil Services Adam Zingsheim shared a summary of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) 2023-24 report cards. Dr. Clardy opened the presentation with a reference to VASD’s issues with chronic absenteeism, which negatively impacted our report card results.
VASD overall—and each school in our district—continues to meet, exceed, or significantly exceed expectations. This year, VASD earned a four-star rating out of five, with an “Exceeds Expectations” score of 71.6, based on DPI’s analysis. It’s important to note that the 0-100 accountability score isn’t a “percent correct” grade. For example, a 71.6 doesn’t equate to a “C” letter grade but reflects a performance level that “Exceeds Expectations.” The report cards are online here, and a summary report is available on the VASD website. Additionally, each school’s principal sent families more detailed information about their school’s outcomes.
VASD’s report card score is based on four main areas: achievement, growth, target group outcomes, and on-track to graduation. Achievement focuses on students’ proficiency in English Language Arts and math on the annual state assessments. Growth focuses on how rapidly students are gaining knowledge and skills from year to year. Target Group Outcomes summarizes outcomes for students with the lowest test scores in the district in an effort to help districts understand how they might better support those students. It combines component scores for achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, and attendance or graduation rate. The On-Track to Graduation area indicates how successfully students are progressing toward completing their K-12 education. It combines component scores for chronic absenteeism, the previous year’s graduation rate, 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency, and 8th-grade math proficiency. These same priority areas are used to calculate scores on a report card for each school in the district.
Comparing to Past Years
DPI has updated the way assessment results are reported. Language Arts and math academic standards, test designs, and scales were revised. Every time academic standards (and therefore assessment designs) are revised, a corresponding performance standard-setting process is required to update cut scores or the selected points on the score scale of a test that are used to signify if the score is sufficient for a defined purpose. Forward Exam cut scores were updated to align with national norms. Additional information on the updates can be found on DPI’s website.
These updates are reflected in the 2023-24 report card data, including the percentages of students at each achievement level. DPI calibrated report card results to best control for these shifts in assessment norming. VASD is confident that our distinction of "exceeds expectations" results from our performance as a district and not a change in assessment cut scores.
