Minutes - Mount Olive Township School District

3. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS (BOARD/SUPERINTENDENT)
Dr. Reynolds suggested that schools be closed on April 1 st , explaining that this date was
originally scheduled as part of the spring recess but was later converted to an instructional
day to provide additional snow days after Hurricane Sandy. The Superintendent speculated
that no additional snow days would be needed this year. Accordingly, Dr. Reynolds
recommended amending the school calendar to close schools on April 1 st . President
Giordano noted that this recommendation is included as an action item on tonight’s agenda,
declaring that the Board would discuss the topic at the appropriate time.
The Superintendent announced his plan to alternate the morning and afternoon
kindergarten sessions when a delayed opening is necessary. Dr. Reynolds explained that
alternating the morning and afternoon kindergarten sessions would better balance the
number of missed sessions for each group. The Superintendent announced that he intends
to implement this plan immediately, providing the Board has no objection. Mr. Strillacci
and Mr. Robinson offered their opinion on the matter; however, there were no formal
objections registered by the Board.
4. REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 STUDENT LIAISON REPORT
Archana Jeyaram and Amy DiGerolamo delivered the monthly student liaison report,
communicating the various concerns, interests, and activities of the student body.
4.2 SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
4.2.1 PUBLIC HEARING ON 2013-2014 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
Dr. Reynolds delivered a power point presentation on the proposed 2013-2014 school
district budget. The Superintendent began by recognizing the efforts of Ms. Conroy and
Mrs. Jones, thanking them for their diligence in developing the 2013-2014 school district
budget being presented this evening. Dr. Reynolds cited the district’s mission statement,
which is “to educate, challenge, and inspire all learners within a safe, nurturing
environment to discover and develop their unique abilities as literate, ethical, and
contributing citizens”.
Dr. Reynolds reviewed the new State formula for ranking students, entitled “academic
growth”, which ranks students by peer groups. The new formula measures how much a
student has learned from one year to the next compared to peers with similar academic
history throughout the State. The Superintendent reported that all Mount Olive schools
ranked higher than the mean score of other schools in their peer groups.
The Superintendent explained that the State also ranks student growth by grade,
categorizing school districts in the following ways:
High Growth – schools with more students who exceed the 65th percentile or higher
in the peer group
Expected Growth – schools with students who are equal to their peers
Low Growth – schools with more students in the peer group who have an “at-risk”
factor
The Superintendent reported that, while Mount Olive students are doing well academically,
the district does have a number of students categorized as “at risk”. Dr. Reynolds explained
that the State defines “at-risk” students as those students who are not college or career ready
due to being partially proficient in language arts or math, students who are over-age for a
grade level, or students having a history of chronic absenteeism.
In addition, Dr. Reynolds explained that the school district budget funds programs beyond
academics, describing the various co-curricular achievements and extra-curricular courses
offered throughout the district. The Superintendent reviewed the opportunities and
challenges facing the district in the future, such as enhancing and accelerating student
academic growth, addressing at-risk factors through increased personalized services,
increasing co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, improving facilities, and
strengthening the safety and security of our schools while attempting to keep overall
expenses to a minimum.
Regular Meeting 3/21/13 2