Thompson presents annual report at MTHS board meeting

Thompson said goals for this year have been to build the capacity of the staff through professional development and ongoing education. She said they have prepared a rigorous curriculum for the students and plan intervention and support for those struggling to learn.

Both the elementary school and high school are accredited schools and face no probation, according to elementary principal Jana Hatley.

Principal Matt Wright said the high school is in its first year of Targeted Improvement due to the African American student sub-group.

Wright said, "Being a targeted school improvement is different than whole school improvement status in that you are placed because of one sub-group rather than the entire school population."

Wright said gains have been made.

"There is a continued need to close the achievement gap in our sub-groups," he said. "We inch closer, but we need to start making bigger improvements."

With a score of 91-percent proficient or advanced, Marked Tree High School is number 11 in the state on their End of Course Algebra scores. And with a score of 77-percent proficient or advanced, MTHS is number 13 in the state on their End of Course Literacy scores for 11th grade.

The board also heard from Suzy Page, of America's Choice, who has been working with the district's teachers to improve student scores. Page said she has been on campus since May 26.

"I am so impressed with where you district is going," Page said. "You have great leadership from the top on down. The children are excited about learning. Reading was the big concern when I came and now we need shift to math."

Also, Thompson told board members the gym floor at MTHS is having a "moisture issue." She said there is a hump a third of the way into the floor.

"We have got to get the moisture out of the floor," she said. "We are going to get some dehumidifiers to get the moisture out."

She explained they may have to do some cosmetic repairs once the moisture is out.

The board tabled a discussion awarding bids to companies completing work the district plans to complete with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds. The district received about $932,000 in funds. The district plans to renovate the electric work as well as replace windows and a restroom. The board planned to have a special meeting regarding awarding these funds.

In other business:

* A new group of board officers was chosen. Mike Dabney was named president. Lee Whitfield remains vice president. Robert Boxley is now secretary.

* The board discussed a change to the elementary school day. They plan to allow K-2 early bus riders to leave at 2:45 p.m. They also will allow 3-6 graders and car riders to leave at 3:10 p.m. Thompson said she would send out a letter when she plans to implement this new policy.

* The board agreed to pay $2,600 to the facilities coordinator for the 2009-10 school year.