Marshall standardized test scores stable but still below state targets

The district as a whole did not meet the proficiency level required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act in any category except in attendance.

That overall picture does not reflect areas of progress, however, according to Superintendent Craig Noah.

"We saw improvement in a lot of areas and that's our main goal," he said. "We're pleased with that. The issue is getting them all to that benchmark, and that's difficult.

"We're pleased but not satisfied."

He said the building principals have been working hard to analyze the data and develop strategies for improving student performance.

"Our principals have done a great job," Noah said. "They've got very detailed, data-driven plans to increase student achievement."

Bueker Middle School Principal Lance Tobin underlined the progress hidden in the results, noting that if any one grade or any one discipline misses its target results, the whole school is labeled as having failed to meet the standard.

Tobin acknowledged that test scores at BMS have been stable for the past few years, not going up or down much.

He and principals Janine Machholz, Jeff Kramer and John Angelhow presented their plans to the board for further refining their approaches to preparing students for the tests.

In other business, the board approved the annual Secretary of the Board Report, an annual financial status document that has to be submitted to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In the report, revenues for the past year were listed at $23,426,360, but expenditures were $23,918,501, leaving the district with a deficit of $492,000 in the report.

Noah said the situation was not as bad as it appeared on paper. One reason the deficit was so large, he said, was the late arrival of a $416,000 federal programs payment, which wasn't included in the revenue side.

He also noted that if the state had not cut 2 percent of its funding -- about $160,000 -- the district would have ended up in the black.

The reserve fund balance in the report was 12.28 percent, down from 14 percent at the start of last year.

Noah also gave the board an update on expected state funding for next year, which currently projected to be at 96 percent.

He said the state has received additional funding from the federal government that could be used for education, but he said details about how much the district could get and what the money could be used for is still undecided.

The message from state officials is "Don't expect more than what you have now," he said.

Noah also released enrollment figures for the start of the new school year, which began Monday, Aug. 23.

Enrollment remains stable, he said, with slightly fewer students than last year but more than the recent low mark of 2,427 in 2005.

This year, the district has 2,467 students enrolled, including 935 in kindergarten through fourth grade, 719 in middle school and 813 in high school.

The board also held a public hearing for the operating tax levy. No citizens spoke at the hearing. The board set the rate at $3.1693 per $100 assessed valuation, about 10 cents higher than last year's $3.0676 but below the $3.3225 rate set in 2008.

In 2009, the assessed value of property in the district was $146,723,729. This year, it increases to $151,936,401, or 3.55 percent growth, Noah said. He said the tax levy was set based on an estimated 94 percent tax collection rate.

Board President Larry Godsey read a letter of resignation from board member Teri Wright, who's family is moving soon.

Noah said the district would publish an invitation to any prospective board members to submit letters of application. The board will select a replacement from among those who apply and then the seat will be up for election in April 2011 to fill out the remaining year on Wright's term.

Noah also introduced Laura Jackson, former Saline County Career Center instructor, as the new food service manager.

In closed session, the board approved the employment of Cathryn Armbruster as part-time Title 1 coordinator and Stacy Walker adult business and office education instructor at the Saline County Career Center.

In addition to Godsey, board members Mark Gooden, Kathy Green, Sherrie Stouffer and Teri Wright were present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Contact Eric Crump at ecrump@marshallnews.com

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