Summary of 10/26/21 Regular Meeting of the WCSD Board of Trustees
This is a summary of the business conducted at this week's WCSD's Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. You can also watch the previously recorded meeting here: YouTube Link
2.09 Should WCSD Renew its Membership to the NSBA
The renewal of the 2022 membership fee for the National Schools Boards Association Council (NSBA) for $12,975. The NSBA recently wrote to the Biden Administration asking for the federal government and Department of Justice to investigate parents at school board meetings for “potential terrorism.” Because of this inflammatory statement, the Board voted to NOT renew the membership. The vote was 5-1, with Trustee Smith voting in favor to renew.
3.01 Assessment of SBAC Scores for 2020/2021 School Year
This agenda item reviewed two of the five academic goals in the Two Year Strategic Plan in the Response to Recovery: Goal 1: Academic Growth was addressed. More specifically, the 1.2.1 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) “Meet Standards” was assessed. The SBAC test scores were reviewed with the following outcomes for the 2020-2021 results for WCSD. 92% of students took the test.
In grade 5-8, the English Language Arts (ELA) scored 43% down from 49% in 2018-2019 (no SBAC tests in 2019-2020). The Math score was 31% down from 40% in 2018-2019.
The State Science assessment was 30% down from 35% in 2018-2019. None of the goals set by the Response to Recovery were met, in fact, the scores dropped. These academic scores are beyond troubling. The Board voted to approve the acceptance of the report.
3.02 Revisit the Redistricting Options of District B, C & D
The board voted to approve redistricting of Sun Valley. The new plan would unify all of Sun Valley under District B instead of the current district lines, which splits it between districts B, C & E. The Superintendent will deliver a new redistricted boundary map to the Washoe County Registrar of voters by November 1, 2021.
3.03 Discussion and Decision on the New Bell Schedule Survey Response
The school bell community survey was reviewed. There were 18,251 responses to the survey. The survey included several options of new times for Elementary, Middle and High schools and the varying transportation costs associated with each. The option chosen by the community was Option A, with 29% of the votes. The director of transportation was asked if he had enough bus drivers to handle any of the other bell schedule options. He indicated he did not. The district is down 50+ bus drivers and didn't see it getting any better for next year. The WCSD transportation department could only implement Option A. The Board voted to approve Option A Bell Schedule:
Middle School 8:00 am
High School 8:30 am
Elementary 9:30/10:00 am
There would be no additional expenses incurred in transportation with this schedule. The new Bell schedule would be implemented in the 2022-2023 school year. But before final approval, the Superintendent will bring back additional information on the impact of after school activities associated with the new proposed schedule to the Board by November 23, 2021.
3.06 Covid Mitigation Efforts
No changes will be made to current policies.