Previewing the Agenda for the 9/22 Monthly Meeting

It's monthly meeting time again, folks. I've reviewed the agenda and all the supporting packet materials, and this month's meeting will be heavy on performance and survey data. Below I've highlighted what I think are the most noteworthy items.

Superintendent's Performance Evaluation - This is a Closed Session item, which means that the Board will be providing Dr. Pitts with her annual evaluation in the private session that precedes the public meeting. Obviously, we members of the public can not participate in, or hear, the content of the evaluation (as with all personnel discussions regarding individuals.)  However, the listing of this item on the agenda lets us know that the evaluation will be happening. So, if you have any information that you would like to share with members of the Board that you think is pertinent to the evaluation of Valerie's performance over the past year, you could take this opportunity to send an email to trustees@larkspurschools.org.

API (Academic Performance Index) Score for '09/'10 - The annual API scores regarding student performance are now available. The district's total score is 920, up from 915 for '08/'09. Neil Cummins' score is 918, which was no change, and Hall's score is 921, up from 914. Nice performance by our students!

Healthy Kids Survey - The Board will review detailed results of this annual survey of 5th and 7th graders. Our students were asked questions regarding use of drugs and alcohol, safety, TV/video game usage habits, physical activity levels and eating habits. For 20+ pages of detailed results, see the packet materials here. Here are a few results I highlighted:

•  Only 1% of our kids report having personally tried marijuana or cigarettes. But when asked how many of their peers they think have tried these items, they say 10%. Which number do you think is closer to the truth?
• 12% of 5th graders reported seeing someone else carrying a knife or gun at school (vs. only 1% of 7th graders). This number seems quite high; I presume will hear some detailed discussion of this one on Wednesday night.
• 75% of kids (5th and 7th combined) report that "yesterday" they watched TV or played video games for one hour or less. Hmm, I smell something fishy. Could they be telling us what they think we want to hear?

Enrollment and Staffing Report - The Board will discuss the status of enrollment and staffing numbers for '10/'11 vs. '09/10. Total enrollment in the district as of 9/15 is 1,332, which is an increase of 49 from last year. Staffing has moved the other direction, however. Total staffing is 150, which is down from 161 last year. Teaching staff is down to 91 from 97 and admin/support staff total 59, down from 64.

To preview the detailed packet materials regarding these items, click here. To add to the Board's discussion of these or other items on the agenda, come on down to the meeting Wednesday night, or email the Board members at trustees@larkspurschools.org.

Check back later this week for a summary of the meeting. Also, if you have comments, questions, or input of any kind regarding this blog, please leave your comments below.

-Rob