Tuesday, November 9^th, 2010 both a Regular School Board meeting and a Public Hearing were held.  This was the last board meeting before the Organizational meeting and the new board term begins.

At the meeting the Board and public heard a presentation from the architect on the Phase II design of Crystal River High School (CRHS).  The Board will be provided designs and options at upcoming meetings and will then proceed with decisions about Phase II of CRHS.

The Board voted to approve the creation of 57 new school student aides, putting two new student aid e s at each of our schools.  The stimulus grant is being used to pay for these positions.  While these aides are TERM units (meaning that they are on annual [not permanent] contract) this means 57 new employment positions in Citrus County are available.  The positions will be posted soon so for those interested, visit http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/departments/personnel/jobposting.htm.

Director of Technology and Information Services, Dr. Mike Geddes gave two presentations.  He shared information on 140 additional ELMOs that will placed into our schools and classroom.  For those unfamiliar with an ELMO, it is   a Document Camera which is the modern equivalent of an overhead projector.  These ELMOs are a valuable tool for our classrooms and teachers.  Currently,  about 56% of our classrooms have ELMOs or document cameras  but the goal is to equip more of our classrooms with document cameras.

Dr. Geddes also shared a wonderful grant that Ms. Novak and Mrs. Kozminski at Citrus Springs Middle School are hoping to receive.  Part of the grant requirement was to create a unique video about the need for technology in the classrooms.  To see this wonderful video click here.

Director of Research & Accountability Patrick Simon provided an update on the 2010 District Improvement and Assistance Plan (DIP).  This DIP an overview of the district plan to address academic challenges in our district.  The data complied to make the DIP is received from   many different standardized and proficiency tests and is further compiled from school’s individual School Improvement Plans (SIP).  Both the DIP and the SIP are excellent information for  parents and community members to see what strategies our district and schools are  using  to improve our students learning.  CLICK HERE to view district and school improvement plans.

This was Mr. Lou Miele’s last board meeting and he was presented with a plague and several cards and gifts.  Many district employees and board members thanked him for his service and commitment to students.  I, too,  want to thank Mr. Miele for his years of service as an educator and school board member.  Mr. Miele loves children and many Citrus County children are all the better because of Mr. Miele’s service.  Mr. Miele  has always been a gentleman to me in every setting  and   I have greatly appreciated how kind he has been to me in this transition process.

The next school board meeting will be the annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, November 16^th at 4:00pm when I  , along with Mrs. Pat Deutschman and Linda Powers,  will be sworn to office.  Hope you can make it and if you can’t, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Related Links:

• CCSD Job Postings
• CCSD Department of Technology and Information Services
• Technology Can Help Encourage Us! – CSMS Video
• CCSD Department of Research & Accountability
• Florida District and School Improvement Plans

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Tuesday October 26th, 2010 was a Special Meeting and Workshop for Citrus County School Board.  Clancy J. Mullen of Duncan Associates (DA) presented and the Board voted to accept the education impact fee study submitted by DA and hired by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  The Study will be presented to the BOCC at a later date.  The report generally showed a reduction in local building costs which would result in a slightly lower proposed School Impact Fee schedule then the previous 2007 fee schedule.   At the last school impact fee adoption the BOCC adopted the school impact fees at 50% of the proposed amount.

The Board also heard a proposal by a Principals Committee made up of elementary, middle and high school principals about using funding from the federal jobs bill to hire three aides for all traditional schools. The school district has $3.2 million available through the jobs bill with hopes of receiving the funds again next year but there is no guarantee that the bill will be available after that.

Citrus County Schools Assistant Superintendent Mary Curry presided over the State of the District, Part II report which covered Gifted (a.k.a. Reached), Horizon, Plato, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Penn Foster.  In addition, Ms. Curry updated the Board with feedback comments she just received from the Department of Education on Florida’s Race to the Top.

Next Regular Board Meeting is November 9^th, 2010 at 3:00pm.

Related Links

• Duncan Associates
• impact fee
• Citrus County Board of County Commissioners
• Citrus County Schools
• Gifted (a.k.a. Reached)
• Plato
• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
• Penn Foster
• Florida’s Race to the Top

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School Board Meeting

We had a most informative school board workshop and special meeting on Tuesday September 26^th, 2010.  At the workshop the  Board was presented with the MGT of America, Inc. Educational Facilities Master Plan Update (an update of the MGT FMP from 2006-07).  In addition, the Board was presented with the State of the District Part I report.

The MGT’s report was most helpful for me as a new board member as it was very in-depth and will greatly assist the Board with our distric ‘s current and future capital pla n s.

Assistant Superintendent Mary Curry began the State of the District Part I report which covered State Assessment updates, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Citrus Virtual, District Initiatives/Challenges, and Florida’s Race to the Top.

Exceptional Student Education Department Visit

I continued meeting with school district departments.  I visited the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department and met with Nancy Haynes, Director and Julie Kelsey, Coordinator.  I have worked with both of these ladies while on Central Ridge Elementary School Advisory Enhancement Council as they both serv ed  as the school’s district representatives .  ESE always is facing challenges for our students and Mrs. Haynes, Mrs. Kelsey and myself talked  about many of the challenges ou r  parents, students and educators are facing.  Florida Response to Intervention (RtI) is a big part of our students ‘  learning these days.  RtI is a process that provides intervention and educational support to all students at increasing levels of intensity based on their individual needs. The goal is to prevent problems and intervene early so that students can be successful. Visit http://www.florida-rti.org/ for more information.

Related Links

• MGT of America, Inc
• Adequate Yearly Progress
• Citrus Virtual
• Florida’s Race to the Top
• Exceptional Student Education
• Florida Response to Intervention (RtI)

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