Malta Bend BOE learns about professional learning communities (UPDATED 1 p.m. Feb. 11)

The Malta Bend Board of Education heard a presentation about professional learning communities from Susan Feeback with the Central Regional Professional Development Center at its meeting Wednesday evening, Feb. 10.

The Missouri Professional Learning Communities Project is part of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It aims to bring about more teacher collaboration and focus more on student learning in schools.

"It is a learning process ... that changes some of the culture within the building," Feeback said. "It's very data-driven."

She noted three shifts in thinking under the PLC: teachers focus on students learning concepts, not how to teach them; teachers move from isolation to collaboration among their colleagues; and teachers and administrators focus on results, not programs.

If Malta Bend were to implement the PLC model, the state would ask for a minimum three-year commitment.

"It's not going to happen immediately next year," Feeback said.

Marshall High School is currently involved in the program, she said.

The board took no action on the issue.

In other business, the board approved the senior class trip to Hollister during the first week in May.

Principal Roger Feagan reported that attendance numbers are up, with the total average from the beginning of school to Feb. 3 at 96.71 percent. One day last week, he said, only three students in the entire school were absent.

In her report, counselor Erica Sims said Malta Bend just has one remaining requirement to be qualified as an A+ program school; the school's revised curriculum has been submitted to the state for approval.

She also said that students in preschool through fourth grade participated in the Kits for Kids drive, making hygiene kits for earthquake victims in Haiti.

Agriculture teacher Terry Jenkins also gave a report on his program.

He said his students are currently working in the greenhouse, and will soon be growing plants from Springwater Greenhouse & Landscaping to sell. What the students don't sell, he said, the greenhouse will buy back.

In cooperation with Marshall and Sweet Springs, Malta Bend FFA members will be working to improve the wash racks at Saline County Fairground. Each FFA group received a $333 grant from the Building Our American Communities program for the project.

Jenkins said the agriculture program is hoping to receive a $2,500 grant from Monsanto. The school's odds of winning increase every time a local producer who farms 250 acres or more votes for the school.

Six students have submitted applications to attend FFA camp this summer, Jenkins said.

"I think they'd get a lot of good out of it," he said.

The board adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel and student matters.

Board members Art Madden, Mindy Rigby, Scott Moore, Doreena Forqueran, Jackie Plattner, Casey Klein and Susan Jansen were present at the meeting.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net