Annual Report 2007-2008(color).pub - Town of South Windsor

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Board of Education Dr. Robert Kozaczka Superintendent of Schools Personnel Milestones The 2007/2008 school year was marked by key changes in district administration. James Graffam, Wapping School Principal retired and was replaced by Laura Hickson. Ms. Hickson came to us from East Hartford where she led several early literacy initiatives. Michael Tortora was appointed Principal of Orchard Hill School replacing Bridget Braney. Mr. Tortora was previously Assistant Principal at Oliver Ellsworth School in Windsor, Connecticut. Dr. Mary Murray, Reading Language Arts Curriculum Specialist retired and she was replaced by Diana Roberge Wentzel. Ms. Wentzel previously served as a consultant with the Capitol Region Education Council. South Windsor District Test Results Connecticut Mastery Test (March 2008) The Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) is a criterion-referenced test administered throughout the state in the spring to students in grades three through eight. The tests are designed to assess essential reading, writing, and mathematics skills that can reasonably be mastered by students by the middle of their present grade. This was the first year that a science CMT was administered to fifth and eighth-grade students. The 2008 test administration was the third year of a new “generation” (version) of CMT; therefore, comparisons can be made with the baseline scores established in 2006. The March 2008 South Windsor CMT scores exceeded the state average in all areas. A trend continues to show that the percentage of students at or above proficient level and goal level increases steadily as students progress through the grades in all three content areas of math, reading, and writing. Students who achieve proficiency level demonstrate adequate grade-level knowledge of the state math, reading, and writing standards. Students who achieve goal level demonstrate extensive grade-level knowledge of the state standards. The data shows that we need to focus our efforts on ensuring that all cohorts of students are making adequate yearly progress according to the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Currently students with disabilities and low income students are not meeting the rigorous standards set by the state. Connecticut Academic Performance Test (March 2008) The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) assesses and reports on student performance in four content areas: mathematics, Reading Across the Disciplines (based on a Response to Literature test and a Reading for Information test), Writing Across the Disciplines (based on two Interdisciplinary Writing tests and an Editing & Revising test), and science. The CAPT focuses on how well students apply what they have learned in school to situations they may face throughout their lives. The March 2008 CAPT was the second administration of the third generation CAPT. The data indicates that South Windsor students perform well above the state average on every subtest. Furthermore, comparing 2008 test scores with 2007, South Windsor significantly improved overall performance in mathematics, science, and Writing Across the Disciplines. Modest improvements were achieved in Reading Across the Disciplines. The district continues to focus on literacy skills across all content areas. All teachers (K-12) across all content areas work collectively to improve student literacy achievement by setting specific achievement goals for students. Neighborhood Schools On January 8, 2008 the Board of Education approved a Neighborhood Schools proposal and requested that the Town Council authorize a referendum in the amount of $115,700,000. The Neighborhood Schools proposal included the construction of new Orchard Hill and Eli Terry Elementary Schools. Pleasant Valley Elementary School and P. R. Smith Elementary School would be renovated as new. The Neighborhood Schools construction would occur in a series of steps called “phased construction”. In general, building new space first would create swing space to allow renovations to proceed without having students in the building during construction. The projected time line would have phased construction occur over a four-year period. 8 | Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008
Board of Education School Enrollment Trends Year Eli Terry* Orchard Hill* * Elementary schools have a K-5 organization ** Timothy Edwards Middle School houses grades 6-8 *** South Windsor High School houses grades 9-12 Phillip R. Smith * Pleasant Valley * Wapping * Timothy Edwards ** High School*** Total 2007-08 371 503 435 445 310 1,149 1,652 4,865 2006-07 382 488 473 460 309 1,203 1,652 4,967 2005-06 390 498 482 478 326 1,219 1,630 5,023 2004-05 406 474 495 479 334 1,199 1,609 4,996 2003-04 434 499 542 485 349 1,182 1,553 5,044 2002-03 394 652 474 491 346 1,239 1,453 5,049 Business Services Highlights of the year include preparing and presenting the budget in a format guided by academic disciplines and the inclusion of a revenue analysis section. The budget exhibited significant savings in health insurance costs and diesel expenditures; with final expenditures for the year below appropriation. The Accounting Department installed a new accounts receivable billing module. The district underwent a transportation study that revealed information necessary for optimizing efficiencies, revising policies and determining the feasibility of implementing a three tier busing system. Facilities Activities in the 2007/2008 school year focused on school security as well as fire safety updates. Exterior electronic door locks with video monitoring for the main entrance at each of the five elementary schools was installed. The design of a new telephone system utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gave teachers access to phones in all classrooms. As part of the fire code update initiatives, an area of refuge was updated at Timothy Edwards School and all district emergency lights were updated and replaced. In collaboration with the Town, the fuel cell stack was replaced at the high school. Major support was also provided to the elementary renovation initiative. Student Accomplishments Thirty-two students at SWHS earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program exams which they took in May 2007. The South Windsor High School Boys’ Soccer Team was awarded the National Soccer Coaches Association of American High School Team Academic Award for exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2006- 07 academic year. The South Windsor High School Girls’ Soccer Team won the Central Connecticut Soccer Officials Association Sportsmanship trophy for 2007. Tracy Margiott and Christopher Marra, members of the South Windsor High School Class of 2008, were designated as finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. On Saturday, March 1, Choral Spectrum competed at the New England Show Choir Classic. The group made the finals and was named Grand Champions. In addition, they received the Best Choral Sound award, Best Show/Choreography award, and a special judge’s award for Best Show Concept. Wapping student, Julia Mainelli, had her story, “The Rescue”, published in the Connecticut Student Writers magazine. Tracy Margiott and Anthony Shin were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively for the SWHS Class of 2008. Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008 | 9
Page 2 and 3: Cover Design Major Michael Donnelly
Page 4 and 5: General Information Website: http:/
Page 6 and 7: Town Council Cary Prague Mayor Our
Page 10 and 11: Department of Public Works Michael
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Page 26 and 27: Building Department Christopher J.
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Page 52 and 53: Planning Department Marcia A. Banac
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Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation
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Patriotic Commission Robert C. Moel
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Economic Development Commission Jan
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Collector of Revenue Bonnie Rabin C
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Five Year Summary FIVE YEAR SUMMARY
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Auditor’s Report STATEMENT OF REV
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Services SERVICE DEPARTMENT PHONE -
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Hours of Operation TOWN HALL - 1540
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TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR 1540 SULLIVAN
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