Lower Grades Fare Well in Testing

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Summaries from the last round of Prairie State Achievement Tests (which includes the ACT) shows elementary and middle school results on track with most schools in the state.

However, at the high school level, only 45.5 percent of the junior class met or exceeded state standards in reading and only 43.8 percent of juniors met or exceeded state standards in math.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly, Ph.D, told the board that statewide, 53 percent of Illinois high school students met or exceeded state standards. Kelly said the high school staff and administration is beginning to make some correlations as to why the test scores are low. He said part of the problem in math is that some students are not taking high level courses in math and geometry before they take the PSAT test their junior year. Kelly said curriculum guidelines are being amended so that students have geometry before they face the rigorous testing. With respect to reading, Kelly said much of the high school curriculum is literature-based and said the district will begin blending core reading skills into the literature curriculum.

He said that on all levels, local demographics and the economy have a bearing on test outcomes.

There is some good news in the findings. Overall, about 75 percent of the student population is meeting or exceeding state standards.

In other action, the board voted to ask Supt. Kelly to author a letter to Perry County Supervisor of Assessments Robin Edwards, outlining the impact her office's failure to accomplishing the current assessment abstract work on time will have on the district's budget plan.

Perry County's abstract on assessments was red-flagged by the Illinois Department of Revenue at a July 30th hearing as inaccurate and riddled by issues. Redoing the abstract--which is the basis for sending out real estate tax bills--has resulted in a delay of between 60 and 90 days. Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 receives $3.7 million of its annual $13.1 million spending plan from local taxpayers. Kelly said that while the board has already authorized temporary borrowing, if necessary, he hopes there is enough cash on hand to see the district through the delays. He said should the district have to borrow some or all of the $3.1 million, short term, interest alone could equal a teacher's salary.

In other action, the board:

Approved the suspensions imposed by the principals for the month of August.

Approved each school's annual accreditation application to be submitted to the ISBE including district improvement plan relative to special education indicator need.

The board agreed to work harder to include local vendors in the process of providing goods and services to the school district. Local businesses have complained about recent work that was given to vendors and contractors in the Christopher and Sesser areas, when some of those services are available locally.

The Board approved a request from High School FFA organization to attend national convention.

The superintendent shared with the board recent discussions with Pepsi, the current soda and beverage vendor for the district. Pepsi provides the district with scoreboards, etc. in exchange for exclusive rights to sell its product in the district.

The Board accepted the resignations of Lindsay Estes, Crystal Harsy, and Nicole Heisner as DHS play directors.

The Board employed Sarah Metcalf as Youth and Government Sponsor for the 2008-2009 school year.

The Board employed Nicole Heisner as Freshman Class Sponsor for the 2008-2009 school year.

Supt. Kelly said the board will have an appointment for play director by the October meeting.