Teachers interested in peer coaching
Results from a teacher survey administered by the Supervision-Evaluation Committee show that teachers are interested in peer coaching. Educational Services Assistant Superintendent Dean Schultz told School Board members that those results will be shared with the Professional Development Advisory Council which will decide whether peer coaching should be an in-service activity in 2008-09.
Schultz also reported that the survey showed a strong connection between teacher collaboration and positive feedback regarding the supervision-evaluation process.
School Board Member Lynn Kristensen said she was glad teachers were asking about peer coaching because it reflected confidence in their own abilities.
Spectrum update presented
High school honors and Advanced Placement (AP) course participation are up. Instructional Services Supervisor Margaret Bauman told School Board members that compared to last year, 86 more high school students took honors classes and 16 more students took AP classes. Bauman shared that information as she provided an update about Spectrum, the district’s gifted and talented program.
Upcoming goals for the Spectrum resource teachers include:
- increasing resource time for elementary students with very high abilities;
- strengthen communication with classroom teacher and offer professional development; and
- increase participation of minority and students from low socio-economic backgrounds in gifted and talented opportunities including honors and AP courses.
Various handbooks, plans approved
In other business the School Board approved a variety of handbooks and plans. Approved as recommended were Templeton and Hamilton student handbooks, the National Honor Society Handbook, WIAA membership, Waukesha County School-to-Work Consortium participation, emergency nursing services plan, bloodborne pathogens plan and Wisconsin Association of School Boards delegate and alternate delegate appointments.
Personnel news
In personnel business, the School Board:
- accepted the retirement request of Lannon custodian Greg Hart;
- approved the resignations of Maple Avenue paraprofessional Robert Groth and Marcy second grade teacher Nancy Buss;
- appointed Kristin Netzel-Muehlenbach as a part-time Templeton speech-language specialst;
- modified the contracts of Hamilton and Templeton music teacher Marilyn Spiess from 83 percent to full-time;
- approved rate increases between .5 and 4.5 percent for non-group employees. The group includes casual custodians, diagnosticians, driver education staff, fitness center assistant, hall monitors, hearing interpreters, Hamilton Fine Arts Center coordinator, program support, summer school substitute secretary, seasonal staff and substitute teachers; and
- upgraded the Business Services director position to assistant superintendent. The assistant superintendent position has shifted from Educational Services to Business Services depending on the tenure of the individual in office. With the retirement of Dean Shultz in Educational Services, Business Services Director Bryan Ruud will have more administrative experience in the district.
Volunteer, students recognized
The School Board presented recognition awards to:
- senior citizen volunteer Pat Ehnert for the many quilts she has sewn for students, including weighted quilts for students with autism;
- seniors Angela Zeng, Calley Galarowicz and Josh Gratz for achievement in the National Merit competion. Zeng was also recognized for being chosen one of only 139 Presidential Scholars in the U.S; and
- senior Amy Umhoefer, a resident student who attends Waukesha West High School for its hearing impaired program. Umhoefer was recognized for receiving the “Yes, I Can” award.