Monticello Live

Haley Greer, District Coordinator for the School District’s Gifted and Talented Program, addressed the School Board members at their regular monthly meeting with a presentation about the school district’s program, the need for the program, the selection process and the programs used. Students are evaluated based on their achievement, reasoning, creativity, intelligence and other factors, such as classroom performance and task commitment. The program begins in its most basic form in kindergarten, with classroom teachers incorporating higher-order thinking strategies through use of the Talents Unlimited model, as well as grade-level curriculum standards. Students’ progress is documented throughout the year and submitted to the Gifted and Talented program coordinator to aid in identifying students beginning in 3rd grade. In addition to testing, students can be recommended for the program by teachers, parents, or even the students themselves. In 3rd through 5th grades, students spend 150 minutes a week with GT facilitators, and they work on projects in science, social studies, vocabulary, personal interest projects, technology, problem solving and critical thinking. In 6th through 10th grades, students receive services through Pre-Advanced Placement classes, and in 11th and 12th grades, may take Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement courses as well as Early College credit classes. The State Department of Education monitors the Monticello Gifted and Talented program once every three years, and reviews yearly reports to assure compliance with all state regulations. Parent, teacher, administrator and community evaluation surveys are also distributed every Spring.

Debbie Ashcraft presented to the Board a draft of the handbook for the MSH Forensics Team. She gave a brief overview of the MHS Speech and Drama Club, and Forensics Team. The program has encouraged personal growth and maturity in the students, and increased their self-confidence and ability to deal with a diversity of situations. Because of the rapid growth of the program, a handbook of guidelines was needed. The MHS Forensics handbook was submitted and approved by the Board.

The School Board addressed other business, approving a quote for Catastrophic Insurance coverage, and discussed and reviewed non-personnel policies. A discussion of the need for background checks for school volunteers and other non-paid personnel was tabled for further review. A resolution was passed to approve the use of Electronic Transfer of Funds on limited occasions, and milk and bread bids were reviewed. The milk bid was accepted, and the bread bid will be reviewed further. The Boys and Girls Club rental of facilities was discussed.

The SRTS Grant program was discussed and use of funds for construction of sidewalks, and sidewalk placement was discussed.

A student and parents addressed the School Board in private session regarding a disciplinary matter.

The Financial Consultant Contract was approved, along with the regular School Board meeting schedule for 2013-2014.

Heating and Air Conditioning replacement at the MHS cafeteria and Gym were discussed. A bid was approved for updating the middle school roof.

An Administrative Directives Workshop scheduled for August 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9th was discussed.

The meeting was adjourned after the personnel executive session.

 

This entry was posted on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 7:41 am and is filed under Monticello School News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.