The Kosciusko Board of Education continued its discussion to return its lower and middle elementary schools into two separate entities.
Before the beginning of 2016-17 school year, trustees voted to combine Kosciusko Lower Elementary and Middle Elementary into a single school by name. The move also put current Lower Elementary Principal Michelle Nowell over both schools.
“In relation to accountability scores, it might benefit us and our scores to have K-5th or 6th as one entity when it comes to state reporting,” trustee Jenny Jones asked. “Schools that didn’t take the test are seeing low grades and it is affecting our district score.”
The state accountability test is administered to students in third through 12th grades. However, lower grades (K-2) receive their scores due to back-mapping scores from third grade students who attended the school a full academic year.
“A lot of schools are going to a pre-k through 5th grade when it comes to reporting,” Superintendent Gina Smtih said.
“I think it makes more sense as a reporting measure to lump under one name and keep separate principals at each school,” Jones added. “From a data standpoint looks really weird to see KLE get a D, when kindergarten had highest MCAST scores in state last year. We still have a lot to discuss, because how this is reported could make a big difference with our accountability reporting.”
Trustees took no action on the measure.
In other business the board:
• tabled a payment request to Info Snap for $9,600 to allow time for the district’s attorney to make contact;
• approved a temporary easement agreement with Lavoy Grantham, Humberto Garcia, Ed and Lori Brunt and the Attala County Board of Supervisors;
• approved the hiring of Lance Canoy as a teacher, assistant football coach and assistant softball coach through remainder of 2016-17 school year;
• took no action after a student and personnel matter in executive session lasting 28 minutes.
The next scheduled meeting of the Kosciusko Board of Trustees will be April 10 at the Kosciusko High School Library.
