FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK
Click on the following hyperlinks to stay abreast of Stanton
Community School information. Articles provided by Superintendent, Judd Ashley:
Student Achievement Data 2002-2006
January 15, 2007
"Stanton School District Surveys Patrons"
March 3, 2006
"State Board Usurps Local Control"
November 29, 2005 "Student
Achievement and SEM"
November 4, 2005
"Keeping Students in School"
September 14,
2005 "High Expectations Generate Positive Results"
STANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SURVEYS PATRONS
At its’ January 8, 2007 meeting, the Stanton School Board of Directors reviewed results of a recent Budget Management Plan survey completed by parents and patrons. Ninety three surveys were completed and returned, which is approximately a 45% response.
In the survey, seven basic questions were asked of parents, taxpayers and open enrollment families:
Some of the opinions expressed in the comment section were:
· Our strong town depends on having a strong school.
· We would rather whole grade share with another small school.
· We need another gym.
· I cannot afford any more property taxes.
· I would like to see us go private before consolidating.
· Property values will decline without our school.
· Reduce wages of administrators and teachers.
· Combining schools may create quantity instead of quality.
· We need to be more creative and aggressive.
· Stanton’s high level of student achievement in academics, fine arts and athletics will help it prevail.
· If you stay the same you could be left behind.
· Income taxes should be used to even the burden.
· Keep our facilities updated and current to keep a competitive edge.
· Keep hiring the best teachers possible.
· Keep improving our infrastructure, including air conditioning.
· Consolidation may have to include more than two districts to be successful long term.
· Stanton has been fighting consolidation since 1957.
· Extend the bond we now have.
In summary, the majority of parents and patrons want Stanton to stay on its’ own as long as possible, share staff and programs if needed, and consider whole grade sharing as a last resort. School consolidation with another district was not supported at this time by Stanton residents.
State Board Usurps Local Control
I believe all educators in our state support high academic expectations of students. However, the cookie cutter approach of “No Pass, No Play” that is proposed – and will most likely soon be mandated - by the State Board of Education is not good for kids. At best it is inflexible and unrealistic. At its worst it is simply discriminatory.
“No pass, no play” needs to have some common sense built into the proposed athletic ruling. The state board should consider the following on behalf of what is best for kids:
1. Allow local school boards and educators to make all final decisions regarding eligibility of students.
2. Provide an incentive for students to stay in school by shortening the four week ineligibility time.
3. Allow students to regain eligibility so they may participate in summer activities.
4. Do not penalize a student for taking several advanced placement classes by making him ineligible for four weeks if he is failing one class. How about being ineligible for five school days and then regain eligibility when passing. If he continues to fail, then and only then, should more serious consequences be provided.
Those who work with students every day are best suited and qualified to make this decision on student eligibility to participate in athletics and activities. Those people are teachers, principals, coaches and activity sponsors, not State Board of Education members.
Anyone who wants to express their opinion pro or con may email it to carol.greta@iowa.gov
Judd Ashley, Superintendent
KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL!
What part of “NO” does Governor Vilsack not understand? It appears to me that he will continue to bully the State Board of Education, parents and school officials until he gets his way on student eligibility. Any reasonable and rational person knows that the governor’s narrow-minded thinking will substantially increase student drop-outs, student drop-outs will substantially increase unemployment, unemployed young adults will increase the number of welfare recipients, which in turn increases the cost to the already overburdened taxpayer.
How about a policy that applies some simple balance and common sense to a complex situation? A policy such as:
Students must be passing all classes to participate in extra-curricular activities. If a student is failing a class, the following action will result:
A. At the end of each five weeks: student will be ineligible and all privileges suspended for a minimum of five school days. He/she will attend a mandatory study hall during the scheduled practice/activity time. After five days students will be eligible when passing.
B. At the end of each nine weeks: students will be ineligible for two weeks and all privileges suspended. He/she will attend a mandatory study hall during the scheduled practice/activity time. He/she will regain eligibility after two weeks IF he/she is passing the class.
C. In each case, student remains ineligible until passing all classes.
This policy keeps our students in school, requires them to pass all classes, does not encourage dropping out but does encourage students to both participate in high school activities and to also achieve a high school diploma.
Judd Ashley
503 Hilltop Ave.
Stanton IA 51573
712-829-2162 (w)
712-829-2662 (h)
To: Red Oak Express, Villisca Review/Stanton Viking
From: Judd Ashley, Stanton School Superintendent
Re: Weekly School News Article
HIGH EXPECTATIONS GENERATE POSITIVE RESULTS
By Judd Ashley, Stanton School Superintendent
Everyone working together toward common goals is critical for the success of any school district. Therefore, the Stanton Board of Education sets goals annually. The administration, staff, students and parents work together to achieve these goals with the best interest and individual needs of the students in mind. The Annual Board Goals for the 2005-2006 school year are:
1. Emphasize strong student achievement, mastery of the basic skills, good citizenship, integrity, character, and a positive attitude toward lifelong learning in a safe/positive learning environment.
2. Provide proactive leadership and positive public relations to enhance Stanton Community School District’s reputation as an excellent school for all children, K-12, as well as continuing to increase interaction between school, community and area businesses.
3. Continue to implement school-to-work, technology, learning teams, Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, Annual Progress Report, and other curriculum innovations to better prepare Stanton students for the highly competitive workplace of the 21st century.
4. Maintain adequate Secretary’s Balance while providing high quality programs at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers.
5. Maintain buildings, grounds, equipment, teaching materials, etc. at a high level of quality.
6. Provide high quality professional growth for staff and expect high quality student achievement results.
The Stanton Board of Education, administration and teachers believe strongly in local control and adequate funding for not only K-12 education but also adequate funding for our community colleges and universities to allow high quality education for our children beyond high school. The Stanton Board of Education, under the leadership of President David Bruning, determined its’ top five legislative priorities for 2005-2006, which are:
· Support state funding and legislation to address funding inequities existing in the local option sales and services tax, property tax, and other sources of revenue dedicated for infrastructure. Also support of state funding and legislation that promotes property tax equity (both regular and special levies) to minimize rate differences between districts while maximizing resources for students.
· Support setting allowable growth at a rate that encourages continuous school improvement and reflects actual cost increases experienced by school district.
· Support a budget guarantee for district with declining enrollment and on-time funding for districts with increasing enrollment.
· Oppose a constitutional amendment or statewide voter referendum that would limit taxes, spending or local control impacting education.
· Support the community colleges legislative platform, including:
-Community college authority to raise additional operating funds in their local districts,
-Community college general state aid returned to the level of the 2001 fiscal year appropriations,
-Technology funding returned to $3 million previously appropriated.
-A sustainable source of funding identified and dedicated to the continue support of Iowa’s economic development initiatives, such as the Grow Iowa Values Fund, Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, and other sources, including community colleges in growing our economy.
These legislative priorities have been forwarded to the Iowa School Board Association, who in turn will address these and priorities from all other school districts prior to the next legislative session. It continues to be imperative that we insist that our legislators support and work hard at meeting the needs of our students at the local level.