The Madison Local Board of Education discussed report cards, calamity days and student achievements at their regular board meeting held Wednesday, March 26.
In his Administrator’s report, Career-Technical Education Director Jim Riggle shared with the board something new for this year: a state report card for career-technical planning districts, of which Madison Local Schools is a part of.
In May the State Board of Education unanimously approved an Ohio Career-Technical Education (CTE) Report Card for 2012-2013, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation to go beyond the secondary career-tech accountability requirements as defined by the federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. The report cards contain data related to Career-Technical Education Concentrators from the graduating class of 2011, and are issued for each of Ohio’s 91 career-technical planning districts.
“Overall, we did pretty well,” said Riggle. “I looked at the projections for this year and met with our consultant from the Ohio Department of Education last week, and she gave me all this data that’s going to be final at the end of this year.”
According to Riggle, on Madison’s CTE Report Card for 2013-2014 the program scored a 71.74 on Achievement, an improvement from 70.3 percent in the 2012-2013 school year. Riggle explained the 71.74 percent equates to a D, which is not too far off from the state average of 72.5 percent.
“We’re not all that far off from the state average, but it’s still something we’re not satisfied with and we’re working to improve,” said Riggle.
The graduation rate for both four-year and five-year graduates came in at 100 percent, and post-program placement went up to 97.3 percent, which Riggle said was fantastic.
Legislative liaison Amy Walker updated the board on the progress of House Bill 416, commonly known as the Calamity Days Bill, which was signed by Gov. John Kasich earlier on Wednesday.
“The bill that everybody was watching closely this last month was the Calamity Day Bill, which passed in the Senate unanimously,” said Walker. “That bill gives districts four extra calamity days once they use four of their five contingency days.”
Currently, Madison Local Schools have closed for 10 days due to inclement weather, and 11 specifically at Madison High School due to a day in September when the school was without water. Superintendent Lee Kaple said with the passage of House Bill 416, the district will be able to waive the 10th day for the district and the 10th and 11th days at the high school.
Kaple explained he met with both labor organizations to discuss the possibility of blizzard bags, taking time through Easter break or adding a half hour to the school day to make up for the school days missed, but ultimately recommended the board follow the contract as it’s written.
“That being that we would add four days to the end of the school year,” Kaple specified. “If that’s the case, we’d be looking at the last day for students being June 4.”
The last day for graduating seniors and graduation day for seniors will still be May 30, and seniors will not be required to make up days after graduation. Kaple said he is excited for graduation this spring to be held in the new middle school gymnasium so the school will not have to worry about rain or excessive heat.
“I always get excited at graduation,” he said with a smile. “The seniors think they’re excited, I’m more excited than they are. I love it; it’s a great time.”
Fifth grade students Christopher Kukowski and Wyatt Stanfield from Mifflin Elementary School each gave a report from their school, starting with a touching memorial to gym teacher Larry Buzzer. Buzzer passed away in September after 48 years of teaching at Mifflin Elementary.
“As many of you know, we lost our beloved gym teacher Mr. Larry Buzzer this past fall,” said Kukowski. “He taught us, he taught our parents, and in some cases even our grandparents. He was very loved by our entire building and we miss him greatly.”
Mifflin staff and students along with parents and other community members contributed to a memorial fund in Buzzard’s name, raising almost 1,200 dollars to purchase two memorial benches. Students will vote on a location they think is best.
“Once the weather warms up the benches will be professional installed as a permanent reminder of Mr. Buzzard’s commitment to our school,” said Kukowski. “We are all looking forward to this event.”
As members of Boy Scout Troop 113, Kukowski and Stanfield also demonstrated the proper way to fold the American Flag.
In other student news, Skills USA Regional Officer Allie Kemper shared with the board her experiences traveling to Washington D.C. from January 19 through the 24 on behalf of Skills USA. Kemper visited a number of Washington sights such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Pentagon.
“Visiting the Pentagon was a really amazing thing to be able to do and see,” she said. “While I was there I actually got to visit one of the rooms that was hit on 9/11. It has a memorial set up, and you can sign a book to give support to the families that is actually given to them.”
Kemper said the trip impacted her greatly, not only through the long days but also through the friendships. She spoke of how the students came together to support one girl who sometimes had a hard time on the trip due to the fact her mother had passed away three months prior.
“All 45 of us on one bus became a family,” said Kemper. “Not only was it amazing to be able to go, but it was amazing for our school, Madison, to be able to pay for me to go. Being able to go on behalf of your school is a lot better, especially knowing you’re going to meet a whole bunch of new people and come out of it with skills and friendships you never had before.”
