Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – Grand Haven Area Public School’s Board of Education met Monday evening. Below is a recap of Monday night’s meeting.
Recognizing State Champion Runner, Luka Hammond
Grand Haven High School runner Luka Hammond was recognized during last night’s School Board meeting for his recent state championship. The sophomore was crowned state champion in the 1600-meter run in May, leading the Grand Haven boys to a third-place finish in the Division 1 state track meet. Hammond completed the race in 4:09.69, less than 1 second ahead of the runner-up.
Preliminary 25-26 Budget Presentation:
Last night, the Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education approved a preliminary budget for the 25-26 school year following a presentation from Michael MacDonald, GHAPS Executive Director of Business and Finance.
MacDonald shared that the district has taken significant steps to reduce a forecasted $5.5 million deficit next school year, based on declining enrollment and the anticipated State budget for next school year. He added that the district has been able to bring the projected deficit down to roughly $1.8 million while avoiding any staff layoffs, and is awaiting the results of its recently announced voluntary severance plan option for eligible employees to determine potential further reductions to the projected deficit.
Big Ideas Renewal Purchase
The Board approved a four-year renewal of the Big Ideas digital textbook resource for the district’s 6th-8th grade math program, which was originally adopted in 2019. The digital version of the curriculum includes additional features and resources such as online tutoring, but physical books are available for students as well.
Cornell University Training Services Purchase
The Board approved a contract with Cornell University to provide training services for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. Staff from Cornell will train 20 GHAPS staff members as trainers who will then be able to pass along their learning by training all staff in the fall. The training will equip teachers to foster positive classroom climates and cultures, and to prevent dysregulation of student behavior while promoting school-ready behavior.
Benchmark Assessment Scores and Goals
Each year, Grand Haven Area Public Schools reports to the Board of Education and the community on our progress to reach two goals: 1) All K-8 students will show growth in math and reading as measured by the iReady diagnostic, and 2) All 9-12 students will be on track for high school graduation. In a presentation to the board, Executive Director of Instructional Services Mary Jane Evink shared that all GHAPS schools have shown increased academic growth this school year compared to previous years. Among other highlights:
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Ferry Elementary, Mary A. White Elementary, and Lakeshore Middle School made significant gains in reading growth.
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In math, Ferry Elementary, Griffin Elementary, and Robinson Elementary made significant gains in growth numbers over last year.
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Overall, GHAPS saw a 28% increase in students at or above grade level from the start of the 24-25 school year, as well as a 34% increase in math.
Evink also celebrated significant math gains seen in grades K-4, attributing the success to the district’s new math curriculum, Bridges, and the work of the GHAPS teachers embracing and implementing the new program.
“Often, you see an implementation dip at first when implementing with new curriculum resources,” Evink said. “But we have seen great gains in our first year with Bridges Math. Bridges has a very strong engagement component and a focus on number sense and numeracy. This resource has clearly been impactful for our students, but it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our amazing teachers to embrace the new curriculum and deliver it to students in a meaningful way.”
Evink added that the district uses a number of methods throughout the school year to help all students continue to grow. For instance, every student is examined by name and by need to tailor interventions to help either close learning gaps for students or extend their learning. Students at White Pines recently participated in a math extension activity, designing and creating math games that they went on to play with second graders at Griffin Elementary [watch here].
Loutit Library Representative Recommendation
The GHAPS School Board appointed a new representative to serve as district representative on the Loutit District Library Board during last night’s School Board meeting. During the Board’s spring retreat, the Board tasked the Teaching and Learning Committee with determining a process and bringing a recommendation to the full Board of Education. Following an application process, Carol Sanchez has been selected as the next Loutit Board Trustee to represent GHAPS.
Carol is a GVSU Emeritus Professor of Management, teaching at the Seidman College of Business from 1995-2020. She also served as Director of Seidman’s International Business Program, which involved organizing student study abroad and curriculum work. Additionally, she taught at Southern Illinois University’s Rehn College of Business for four years while working on her doctoral degree from 1991-1995. Carol has experience working on a Board, in committees, projects, and fundraisers.
E-Rate Funding Projects
The Board approved the purchase of district-wide technology improvements that will support building operations, student learning, and school security. The approved spend will provide GHAPS schools with new wireless access points, backup power supplies, and upgraded internet switches, which deliver internet to the districts buildings as well as power for building cameras, security systems, phones and wireless routers. 80 percent of the costs will be covered by E-rate funding, a federal program that provides rebates for educational institutions based on free and reduced lunch numbers in each district.
Strategic Plan Update
Superintendent Perkowski and members of the district’s Strategic Plan Working Group presented an update on their long-term strategic plan during last night’s School Board meeting.
The plan focused on three key areas:
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Rigorous, Relevant and Engaging Learning.
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Financial Responsibility & Sustainability.
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Communication, Transparency, and Trust.
Members of the Strategic Plan Working Group provided further details about the process in developing the plan and the overarching initiatives that comprise it. The district will be sharing its plan with the community during a series of engagement opportunities and informative events during the latter half of the summer and the start of the school year and updates will be posted regularly on the district’s website at www.ghaps.org/strategicplan.
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