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November 23, 2009

School addition completed

By Robby Robertson Staff Writer

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for phase one of the new addition to South Athens Elementary School on Robbins Road.

The celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 10 at the school, and Principal Tina Eaton is elated with the new space the school has available.

“We have been moved in for about a week now, “Eaton said. “It is so nice to have the hallway that connects the two buildings, as well as the new reception area and offices.”

Eaton said that on the day of the ribbon cutting, she is going to hold a reception for the community all day at the school until about 6 p.m.

“We want to show off this new addition,” she said. “It is so nice, and we would like for all of the community to come by for some punch and cookies, and take a walk through our school. We are so very proud of it.”

At the monthly school board meeting last week the Board of Trustees gave approval to resurface the north entrance to the school, making it a bit wider for buses and parents who drop off students.

This process will include removing and replacing the old curbing, removing two trees, installing new asphalt and concrete. The board approved the proposal from 4L Construction, as presented.

They also voted to purchase new playground equipment for South, Bel Air Elementary and Intermediate.

The principals did research on the equipment to make recommendations to the board. The recommendation to approve the proposal from Noah’s Park and Playgrounds, a Region VII Purchasing Cooperative vendor, was approved as presented.

The company offered the equipment and supplies preferred by the principals.

“We have needed some new equipment for the playground for a long time,” Eaton said. “We are so thankful to the school board for all their hard work, and the new additions to our campus.”

Other items discussed at the meeting last week were Bilingual/ESL program. Director of Staff Development, Karen McAtee, presented the annual Bilingual/ESL Program Evaluation.

McAtee reviewed terms such as ELL (English Language Learners), TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) and AMAO’s (Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives).

The Bilingual/ESL program participation continues to grow, and serves students through Bilingual Education, Dual Language Immersion – One Way, Dual Language Immersion – Two Way, English as a Second Language (grades 6-12) and ESL pull out. ELL students are assessed by the TELPAS, the TAKS, and the Title III AMAO’s.

Performance in each of these was shared by McAtee. More than 50 percent of the 767 ELL students, district-wide, developed one year of growth over the past year. TAKS reading, math, science, social studies and writing results showed a general increase in the percent meeting the standard from 2008 to 2009.

Regarding the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives, the district percent of attainment of both objectives was significantly greater than the state percentage.

AISD Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes, presented the board with a revised copy of the Parent Involvement Plan that Dr. Diana Vaughn, director of Federal Programs had previously provided. Changes that have been made were noted, and Hayes shared that it was a district plan, not an adopted policy.

Districts that receive federal title monies must have a parent involvement plan on file and available for review. Vaughn has worked with a community volunteer group to develop this plan.

Chief Financial Officer Randy Jones presented to the board the Henderson County Appraisal District Official ballot for the place 2 position for the Board of Directors.

Jack Bailey was uncontested, and received the full Board of Trustees votes. The Van Zandt County Appraisal District had five candidates to be voted upon.

The AISD had 44 votes to cast. The recommendation was made by board member Rob Risko to cast the 44 votes, nine each, to candidates W. A. Daniels, Ed Bailey, Ron Carroll, and Bobby Mayfield; the remaining eight votes to be cast for candidate Kenneth Pruitt.

It was seconded by board member Ginger Kirk. The motion passed as presented.

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