Twin Valley Board discusses School Report Card

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WEST ALEXANDRIA — Twin Valley Community Local Schools Board of Education addressed its 2019 Ohio School Report Card results during its board meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.

Board member Jason DeLong thanked Superintendent Scott Cottingim for addressing the results and a plan of action for the future.

Twin Valley Community overall rankings were reported by the ODE as: District Grade — D; Achievement – D; Progress – D; Gap Closing – D; Graduation Rate – A; Improving At-Risk K-3 Readers – C; Prepared for Success – D.

Cottingim began by speaking about the Professional Development which was held, improving academic success, and what he considers the “Twin Valley South experience.”

“We are trying to build on the things we’ve done on the past and give direction to the staff for our goals. We do have terrific staff and terrific people,” he said. “We can debate whether [the School Report Card] is an accurate representation of our performance — I can argue both sides. Where I’ll leave it with you guys, it is what it is, this is what gets printed in The Register-Herald.

“A big D on an overall district grade, we are not happy with. We are focused and striving to improve that, sooner rather than later.”

Board member Christine Bitner asked if they could expect to see improvement reflected on next years Ohio School Report Card, based on programs that have been implemented this past year.

Superintendent Cottingim replied, “Absolutely.”

Board member DeLong referenced the recent changes in administration, including Superintendent Cottingim and Principal Derek Flatter.

“All the pieces are there to make this thing move forward. I would be very shocked if this report card next year isn’t a lot better than what it is this year,” DeLong said. “I want to give kudos to you, Scott. It has been almost six years that I have been on the school board. I came here tonight hoping to hear something like this from you.

“I felt like, for the past six years, as our School Report Card went from hanging banners up and celebrating that to, ‘The State changed the test and we’re going to make 37 reasons for why that was.’ It was almost like, we made excuses and we blew past it. I’m excited to have a Superintendent that I believe is going to bring stability to the district. I’m excited that you didn’t blow past it the way I felt like we had prior years — not to bust prior administrators, but I’m calling it like I see it.

“I was appalled — for the record, minutes, board members, tax payers, former alumni, parents, whatever — to be 447 out of 600 and something listed and have a ‘D.’ That is right up there with Dayton City, which isn’t a comment on Dayton City, but we have better resources here.”

Cottingim said, “We are not shying away.”

In other business, Jeff Tully, Director of Transportation and Maintenance, reported on building, grounds, and business.

He shared, there had been issues with the air conditioning, but his department was able to get it up and running with minimal down town. They are also investigating the possibility of replacing the two small electric hot water heaters with one larger gas hot water heater in the bus barns. This until would service the garage, concession stand, and stadium restrooms.

Stripes were added around the recycling containers to keep vehicles from parking too close, which interfered with emptying the containers. He added, they are still having issues with trash being dumped in the recycling bins and some broken glass, but it seems to be less than before.

Cottingim noted, “We are actually in the process of installing two new cameras — one will be pointing directly at the recycling bins and the other will be pointed at the school buses. Hopefully here within the next two or three weeks we have those installed.”

Josh Senters, Director of Pupil Services, shared with the board: the total number of special education students in the district is 155, including preschool students. This number includes: 146 students housed at Twin Valley South and nine preschool Students. Of the total: nine are educated outside of TVS and 16 are open-enrolled from other districts.

Senters also shard information on the Education Management Information System (EMIS) rating, where Twin Valley Community Local Schools received “Meets Requirements,” which is the highest rating available.

He explained, districts in Ohio receive a rating evaluating the performance of special education programs, known as the Special Education Rating. The Ohio Department of Education calculates this rating using the final data submitted through the Education Management Information System (EMIS), which is done by Tina Cook and Diane Reed. The compilation of data results in one of four possible ratings: Meets Requirements, Needs Assistance, Needs Intervention, or Needs Substantial Intervention.

Twin Valley Community Local School District’s 2019 Special Education Rating is “Meets Requirements.”

The district rating evaluates the implementation of federal requirements, also called compliance measures, as well as results for students with disabilities. The primary basis of this rating is the final special education program data the district submitted through EMIS for the 2017-2018 school year.

In other business:

•K-6 Principal Patti Holly shared her enrollment total, which is 438 students.

•7-12 Principal Derek Flatter shared information on: behavior programs in the middle school, the Building Leadership Team (BLT), extra curricular activities, and upcoming events and meetings.

•Superintendent Cottingim updated the board on a bid timeline for the marquee.

The next Twin Valley Community Local Schools Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Media Center.

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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