NECAP Scores, Budget on Table
The Barrington School Committee meets again tonight; an analysis of students' most recent achievement test scores and the proposed operating budget for next year top the agenda.
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A presentation on Barrington students' most recent New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) scores tops the agenda for the School Committee meeting tonight, Feb. 21.
But a proposed budget of $46.128 million or about $1.45 million more than the current budget also is back on the agenda.
Superintendent Michael Messore and Curriculum Director Paula Dillon will provide an assessment of the scores, which again put Barrington at the top of the list for schools in the state. But the scores are lower than a year ago and quite a bit lower than five years ago.
Of specific concern are drops in reading and math scores at three of the elementary schools: Nayatt, Primrose Hill and Sowams. Messore did not want to comment on the scores until an analysis by him and the staff was completed. That analysis will be presented tonight.
The proposed operating budget for next year shows a 2.37 percent boost or a $1.05 million hike in local property taxes.
It will remain a work in progress because of contract negotiations with the teachers' union, which just got underway recently. It does include an estimated amount for salaries and benefits that will ultimately be determined by collective bargaining.
Here is the complete agenda of the meeting:
BARRINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Government Center, 283 County Road
AGENDA February 21, 2013
6:30 p.m. Executive Session
EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to R.I. Gen Laws Sections 42-46-5(a)(1) and 42-46-5(a)(2) for Personnel and Collective Bargaining and Litigation with NEAB, United Steelworkers and BEST.
7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (approx. 7:30 – 7:32 p.m.)
B. ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION (approx. 7:32 – 7:37 p.m.)
C. BPS SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING (approx. 7:37 – 7:57 p.m.)
D. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (approx. 7:57 – 8:25 p.m.)
1. Budget
E. GENERAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION (approx. 8:25 – 8:35 p.m.)
F. OLD BUSINESS (approx. 8:35 – 8:55 p.m.)
Superintendent and Staff
1. NECAP Update
School Committee
1. Policy Second Reading - Teacher Course-Student
2. Policy Second Reading - Rhode Island Professional Teaching Standards
3. Policy Second Reading - Rhode Island Educator Code of Professional Responsibility
G. NEW BUSINESS (approx. 8:55 – 9:05 p.m.)
Superintendent and Staff
1. Personnel Request for Leave of Absence SO, Grade 2 Resignation HS, Science
School Committee
1. Review and Approval of School Calendar 2013-2014
H. DISCUSSION ITEMS (approx. 9:05 – 9:10 p.m.)
1. Discussion Future Agenda Items
2. General Discussion to Guide Future Recommendations
I. GENERAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION (approx. 9:10 – 9:20 p.m.)
EXECUTIVE SESSION (approx. 9:20 – 9:50 p.m.) Pursuant to R.I. Gen Laws Section 42-46-5(a)(1) for Personnel; Section 42-46-5(a)(2) for Collective Bargaining and Litigation with NEAB, United Steelworkers and BEST; and Section 42-46-5(a)(3) for discussion regarding school buildings security issues.
The next regular meeting of the Barrington School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Government Center, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI 02806.
RIReader
11:04 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The NECAP scores are not as important at preparing for the new tests, the PARCC exams, based upon the Common Core Standards, that will be administered starting in 2014. BPS teachers will need the resources and time to help students meet the standards of these new tests. While the decrease in scores at the elementary level is helpful information to analyze what skills need prioritizing, focusing too much on NECAP at this point wouldn't be efficient---because they are moot at this point.
Manifold Witness
1:43 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The NECAPs are moot now?
Yes, yes, of course.
That’s the easy way
for the school department
to let themselves
off the hook
on all the past
ineffective
spending.
Don’t worry
The School Department is working hard
scratching like highly paid monkeys
and assessing
their assessments
of the moot assessments.
Barrington is still at the top
of the alphabet
looking down the nonsensical road
at all the increasing future spending
due to the decreasing census
taking the moot assessments.
The budget details?
That’s a secret.
Only the union can know
the budget that is prepared
by a blindfolded CFO.
Pay up, taxpayers.
Don’t ask any questions.
And don’t expect any answers.
High taxes.
Low expectations.
It’s all moot.
Children grow up anyway
despite
the expensive school system.
You'll soon retire and move away
to an affordable place.
But pay up now.