The Moorestown public school district is just about halfway through the school year. Looking forward, that means there is still a lot to happen.
One of the big things that has happened over the past year, and will continue in the summer, is the construction project on the schools.
The district approved a bond referendum in September 2014, and MTPS began work last summer. Projects completed at all of the schools include the installation of security vestibules and cameras and the upgrade of data and technology infrastructure and wiring. At the Baker, Roberts and South Valley elementary schools, roofing projects and HVAC upgrades were completed. Bathroom upgrades were completed in the Roberts 1959 wing and the South Valley 1964 wing. The Baker Elementary cafeteria got new tables. At the Moorestown High School stadium, a turf field and track were installed. At South Valley, a drainage project was completed. At the Upper Elementary School, carpet was replaced with tile in several classrooms. Original interior doors are being replaced at the South Valley and Roberts schools.
According to Business Administrator Lynn Shugars, looking forward to this summer, the William Allen Middle School will have eight science labs and corresponding prep rooms renovated, in addition to four sets of bathrooms. WAMS will also have most of its roof replaced. The district is soliciting bids for roofing, bathroom and HVAC upgrades at MHS for summer work. Finally, paving throughout the district will be done in the summer.
The remainder of the work will be completed in the summer of 2017. This includes a roofing project at the UES and theater upgrades at MHS, WAMS and UES.
Also big news coming up for the MTPS is the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exams. First year individual PARCC scores were sent to parents over winter break.
The overall district scores were positive, scoring well above the state average in all areas of math and language arts. According to Interim Superintendent Carole Butler, moving forward, the district will look at scores to identify any gaps in curriculum and curriculum needing enhancement.
“Our goal is to raise the bar and shift the students from the approaching expectation level to a higher level of achievement,” Butler said. “Of particular interest to us is a further investigation of our test-taker versus enrolled data. In order for us to best use the data at the programmatic, curricular and student levels, it is imperative that we are able to verify that test-takers represent the grade level or course being measured. Moving forward, it is our belief that reliable data will include all students enrolled. In other words, every student counts.”
PARCC test changes for this academic year include one testing window, 90 minutes overall reductions to tests and fewer test units. The PARCC assessment previously was over two testing windows in March and April. Test units were also reduced to three English/language arts units and three or four math units.
A full presentation on PARCC can be found on the MTPS website, www.mtps.com. Two parent meetings on PARCC will be held on Jan. 11 for grades three to six at 7 p.m. at the UES and Jan. 12 for grades seven to 12 at WAMS at 7 p.m.
Another big thing to happen in 2015 for MTPS was the loss of Superintendent Timothy Rehm and the appointment of Butler as interim superintendent. She will remain in that position until the end of the 2015- 2016 academic year.
The Board of Education will proceed with its search for a permanent superintendent, which has been its goal since Rehm resigned last summer. The board intends to conduct and complete its search for a permanent superintendent with the objective of appointing someone by July 1. The BOE is in the process of appointing a professional search consultant or firm to conduct this search.
The BOE has adopted strategic plans where the vision was to “enhance academic, emotional and social foundations while creating a collaborative learning environment which fosters global awareness through personal opportunities and individual growth.”
There were three broad-based goals to establish a culture of innovation to facilitate authentic growth and development of engaged, dynamic and productive learners; provide resources, targeted instruction and interventions tailored to learners’ foundational needs at all grade levels; and design opportunities that promote self-awareness, confidence, personal responsibility and social mindfulness to provide the foundation for competent local and global citizenship.
The board will provide an update on the progress of the strategic plans at its Jan. 19 meeting.
Also for the BOE to consider are policies, which are reviewed each month based on mandates and regulations due to code and statute changes issued from the state. The BOE will continue to review specific policies as necessary for the safety and security of students and staff, according to BOE President Kathy Goldenberg.
New for 2016 is a committee called the Green Team. The members of this team consist of Goldenberg, Butler, two principals, two supervisors, teachers, students and two parents. This committee will look at district policies and procedures related to making MTPS “green,” as related to guidelines set forth by Sustainable New Jersey.
District contract negotiations for the 2016–2019 period with the Moorestown Education Association will also be underway shortly.
