Graduation Rate and Career and College readiness
High School Principal Lance Edelman presented how the graduation rate is calculated, followed by an outline of Career and College readiness programs within the district. This presentation sprang from a request made by a board trustee, who in the past asked why the State gives out two graduation rates in one year. Edelman explained that the graduation rate has many variables based upon the cohort — that is following the same students who entered grade nine and not only the senior class. There are also two graduation rate categories: High School or students within the High School building, and the District Graduation Rate or all students including out of district placement. It takes two years for the State to gather all the data. Therefore, the most recent graduation data is from the 2011 School Report card that shows Onteora High School graduation rate of 88 percent. The in-district graduation rate is 83 percent.
Edelman continued, “The graduation rates are broken into two categories, your completers and your non-completers.” Students who are considered completers earn their Regents diploma. Non-completers have a more complicated definition, since not all are considered dropouts or have completely withdrawn from the education system. Some students will earn a GED, IEP diploma in special education, online schooling or early college admission. “Some students may go to Bard or Simons Rock for early college admission,” said Edelman, “these students are considered non-completers and can throw off our graduation rate.” Edelman said he would never discourage anyone from seeking higher education and currently there are two seniors in early college admission program.
College and Career Readiness at the High School level offers bridge programs and college credit through SUNY Ulster, Advanced Placement, Virtual Advanced Placement, and Pre-University/New Visions Program. The mentoring program through local businesses and professionals has deemed a popular program for students throughout the years.
In other news…
• The board approved Clair-O’Rourke Marki for a new position of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Her salary begins at $125,000. Marki holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education from Lynchburg College, Masters of Science in reading from SUNY Oneonta and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Supervision from SUNY Cortland. Her professional experience includes Supervisor of School Development at Ulster BOCES, Department of Education Project Coordinator including the implementation of programming through Race To The Top, Common Core Curriculum and APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review). She has also worked as an educational training specialist, consultant and special education teacher. In a press release McGill wrote, “Ms. Clair-O’Rourke has a proven track record in public education and also with the Onteora Central School District. She is glad to be here, and we are equally pleased.”
• The board approved Transportation Advisory Services for the creation of a bid process that will affect the contracted bus routes. This service was used when the district changed from multiple bus companies and contracts to using one for a majority of the district’s routes. Currently there are three different contracts with Bernie Bus service. Transportation director Nicole Sommer said they’re considering adding a fourth contract to, “alleviate coverage issues” that may separate private school and special education routes. If another company wins the bid, seasoned bus drivers would be encouraged to switch bus companies in order to stay with the district.
• The Head Start program has offered to transport children from the Western end of the district who attended the program at Phoenicia Primary School to a location in Arkville. The Head Start modular building once next to Phoenicia school has been removed. The program came to an end when the budget was cut due to the Federal Sequestration.
• Phoenicia and Woodstock PTAs voiced concern over lack of district funds that may discontinue dance programs for the younger children. McGill said $10,000 has been allocated toward the programs, but still must go through an approval process with the board. “I want to make it very clear, we are not trying to stop residencies or get in the way of them, it’s just that since it’s being paid for by out of district funds it needs to be paid through a district approval process.” In the past BOCES helped fund the residencies but is no longer considered financially viable.
• An Ad Hoc Committee whose task it was to research a type of heating for Phoenicia School has recommended a Biomass Boiler system instead of an oil system. The total cost to install is estimated at $513,000 with an annual savings of $24,153 in fuel costs over the current oil system. The payback for the system in energy efficiency savings would take approximately eight years. Board members will continue to discuss this option.
