By Paula Scott
On March 30 the Ada School Board held a 2+ hour planning meeting to discuss buildings and grounds, extracurriculars, finance, academics and safety measures. Administrators and the fiscal officer provided information on numerous programs and the expected costs of improvements and other changes.
The second half of the meeting is covered in this article.
SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT
The schools will improve playground security with privacy fencing on the north side by State Route 81.
Safety grant funds will also be spent on
- New security glass to limit visibility
- Exterior Signage
- Camera system
- Central access control
- Lighting between weight room and ‘86 gym
ACADEMICS
High School Principal Dan Lee discussed goals for the state report card and noted that this senior class includes a greater number of students who transferred back from online school. Some 7-8 students have credit and testing issues that will impact graduation rates.
ELECTIVES
Lee noted that there is a big uptick in agriculture interest. There are 91 students in the Ag program currently. He reported that there are 47 course requests for Spanish and that this is the 4th year of teaching American Sign Language. Workforce Readiness is a new initiative in the High School.
POSITIVE REFERRALS AND INTERVENTIONS
Lee spoke enthusiastically about “PBIS”--the schools’ positive referrals program, as well as the use of tiered interventions and now having a school psychologist on staff. Levels of support include study skills coaching, counseling and after school programs.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Jeremy Clark, the Elementary School Principal, noted that currently K-2 is performing stronger than 3-5, likely due to a strong phonics program and possibly COVID impact. He will be working with small groups on phonemic awareness and professional development will focus on how to teach vocabulary. There may be Ohio Dept. of Education testing for dyslexia.
Clark reported on developing common language, procedures and celebrations for positive behavior, and determining what things should be handled by administrators. A rap created by Barth Montel was received very enthusiastically by students, and improved the number who could recite the core beliefs.
TRANSPORTATION
Britton Devier reported on use of TransFinder routing software to improve trip sheet reporting, which will require some training. Two new buses are expected in May.
Devier also noted that the schools are looking for anyone interested in driving. He said it is a great part time job. Van drivers do not need a CDL license.
The meeting adjourned at 8:51 for an executive session.
