VEA & PTA Announce the Put Kids First Rally

Recap: School Board Meeting 2/12/15

The Wythe County School Board met at 9 a.m. on 2/12/15. Attendance: 7 School Board members, 12 central office, 7 principals, 1 media, >15 community members, 2 teachers, and 2 retired teachers

• Public Comment
• Several community members spoke to the school board, expressing their concerns about the possibility of Speedwell Elementary School closing. Others addressed the board with concerns about the FCHS football program.

• Informational Agenda

• Ryan Walker presented the results of the 2014-2015 Employee Survey. Here's the link to his powerpoint. http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/wythe/Board.nsf/files/9TNKV874E264/$file/WCEA%2014-15%20Survey%20Presentation%20-%20Preview%20for%20SB.pdf
• Project Graduation: Dr. James explained that this is a program designed to provide remedial assistance for students who are at-risk of not graduating. It is grant-funded and gives these students more opportunities to remediate and to take/pass required SOL tests.
• Woodford Golf Fund: Mr. Lee gave the background of the fund and explained how the fund helps high school students more fully participate in the sport of golf.
• Budget FY 16 Update: Dr. Brannon hoeps to be able to give WCPS employees both a step increase and an additional salary increase for the coming school year.
• Principals Update: Four schools were in the spotlight at this month's meeting.
• Mr. Rouse highlighted these and other great things happening at Speedwell Elementary. They are happy to house the new program for students with autism at Speedwell. Their Tiger Tailgate party fostered community involvement and building relationships. The Trout in the Classroom program gets kids collecting water samples and evaluating their data. Also, teachers nominate students each month to join the Principal's Club to be recognized for their awesomeness.
• Mrs. Walters spotlighted these and other great things about Rural Retreat Elementary. RRES students are friends and "bucket-fillers." Teachers from all areas are helping to remediate students in math and language arts. Kids are excited to earn extra library time for rewards, as going to the library is a hands-on experience. Finally, and very importantly, kids are happy at RRES.
• Mrs. Vaught put Rural Retreat Middle School in the spotlight. RRMS has student-developed clubs to address the interests of the students. A STEAM Team has been developed, with 4 teachers traveling to each of the 3 middle schools for kids to get more experience with STEAM concepts: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The students at RRMS believe, "Whether you win or lose, if you're a good sport, you always win."
• Mr. Jackson put Rural Retreat high School in the spotlight. He highlighted several teachers who have secured classroom funds/materials through donorschoose.org. They're using the ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) program to help students become more successful. Students are using a great deal of technology in the classroom and becoming more active learners.

•  At this point in the meeting, your WCEA teacher reps had to leave to return to their respective schools.