Odessa-Montour school board 9/9/10

Meeting:  The Odessa-Montour school board met Thursday, Sept. 9 for one hour and 20 minutes.
Attendance:  All board members were present.  One member of the public was in the audience.
Action:  Board members accepted the new, electronic message board from the Sports Boosters Club.  The $29,704 message board is located along Route 224, showing the date, any sporting events, and other messages.
• The board accepted the revised internal risk assessment audit report.
Discussion without action:  Superintendent Jim Frame told the board the options for replacing former member Don Roberts Jr., who died in a boating accident, Sept. 4.  He said the board can hold a special election, appoint someone, or leave the seat open for now.  The board will make a decision at a later date.
• Principal Greg Conlon gave a report on his goals for high school students.  He said he wants to increase the graduation rate, proficiency rate of the state assessment, and mastery of the Regent’s exam.  Conlon said to address this he will be meeting with all classes and talking to them about last year’s course failings by marking period.  Every student now listed as needing Academic Intervention Services (AIS) has already been scheduled into “close the gap” classes.
• Chris Wood, history teacher, gave the annual special education report.  He worked on it as part of his administrative internship.  He told the board about the services offered by the school to students with disabilities.  Wood explained the district tries to keep the student in the least restrictive curriculum as possible.  He said this means being more incorporated with the other students.  Wood explained the district evaluates its special education services by comparing to the state and Odessa’s own goals.
• B.C. Cate Principal Sara Fontana spoke about looking at the curriculum over the summer for any necessary changes.  She explained that reading could improve, so a part of every day is now devoted to reading.
• Frame said some remaining work on the building will be done in second shifts because school is in session.  For an example, he said the Jack Davis Gym will be painted in the evening, outside the school day.
Upcoming meetings:  The next regular school board meeting is Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.