ASHLAND — Ashland City Schools Board of Education recognized students’ performance on state testing during Monday night’s meeting.
Students scored above Ohio averages in multiple subjects and grade levels, according to Supt. Steve Paramore. Third-grade language arts testing stands out with the strongest improvements.
Third grade reached an 86-percent proficiency rate in language arts testing, exceeding the state’s 80-percent average. In the fall, the same students scored 58 percent, school board members outlined the significant growth throughout the school year.
“We actually had third-graders reading and presenting like they were public speakers,” Paramore said. “A lot of that has to do with that growth that you see up into third grade. It’s something we’re proud of how they all worked together to reach that common goal.”
Fifth-grade science also showed improved results with a 79.1-percent proficiency rate compared to the 62-percent state average.
Eighth-grade math students achieved a 74.6-percent proficiency rate, well above the state average of 52 percent.
Paramore said having second- and third-grade students in the same building may have contributed to the improvements.
He said teachers are able to share strategies more regularly than when the grade levels were in separate buildings. Students build skills consistently as they move from second to third grade.
Other business
The school board discussed an emergency drill practiced June 12 at Reagan Elementary.
The drill included members of the Ashland Police Department, Ashland County’s Emergency Management Agency, Ashland Fire Department, EMS personnel, Samaritan Regional Health System representatives and first responders. Representatives from surrounding counties also attended to observe.
Details of the scenario were not specified, however Paramore said it was a very well run program.
The drill spanned from 9:20 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., including a debrief afterward to evaluate and identify areas of improvement. The purpose of the drill provides schools and emergency responders the opportunity to practice community safety.
More than 45 volunteers, including teachers and staff members, participated. Ashland County’s Emergency Management Agency rotates the drills throughout the county, next summer it will conduct another event in northern Ashland County.
In other business, Paramore reminded board members an operating levy renewal will appear on the November ballot.
The levy would not generate new tax dollars, but would continue funding district operations in Ashland City Schools. Levy dollars help support classroom instruction, maintenance and staff, he said.
“We are going to look to make that a permanent levy,” Paramore said. “So that’s hopefully the last time we have to ask for renewal, but it would be no new tax dollars for our taxpayers.”
Treasurer Kyle Klingler said the levy generates approximately $5.5 million a year.
The board also approved the purchase of a microbus for school transportation.
Klingler said the vehicle can be useful for transporting smaller groups and less credentials are required than a regular school bus.
“It’s a popular transportation vehicle because you don’t need as many credentials as to drive a school bus,” Klingler said. “We have plenty of small teams that can use the microbus instead of a full school bus.”
