10/23/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Superintendent's stockholder report by Roger B. Wormer, Superintendent As promised in October, 2005; it is my intention to pro- vide each of our parents and our patrons — stockholders of the Centennial School District —with an annual report on the status of the corporation. Clearly, the purpose of pro- viding this accounting —that is, being accountable —is to engender a measure of confidence that your governing body, the School Board, and management, district and building administration, are attending to the mission and goals of the organization (the school district) and striving to produce a product (student achievement, civility, compassion, and fu- ture potential) that is consistent with your desire and within our financial means. To be sure, the stockholders report has space constraints and could touch on technicalities that would bore the reader if elaborated in great detail. Therefore, it is my intention to enumerate but a few poignant highlights on each of four goals established by the school board and addressed by the school district's administration and staff —among many oth- ers— during the 2005 -06 fiscal year. Those goals included: Resource Management, Curriculum, Communication and Standards of Excellence (Achievement). Resource Management: The school district achieved passage of a proposed $4.6 million operating levy referendum to address the devastat- ing budget reductions which occurred over the previous five years. ,Po Implemented an "open process" for proposing /consider- ing budgetary reinstatements. 'Po Received a laudatory 2005 -06 external audit of the organization's financial management. Refunded school building bonds to reduce interest rates and save taxpayers money. Prepared for submission of the Centennial Alternative Compensation System (CACS) with the Centennial Educa- tion Association to infuse the school district with $1.5 mil- lion in new state funds ' Agreed with the Centennial Education Association to be the ONLY metro area school district to NOT levy local funds to support the CACS. Curriculum: kPo The school district continued a massive effort to train staff for and implement a new K -12 mathematics pro- gram. Initiated an equally mas- sive selection of a new K -12 language arts pro- gram. Conducted a study of the Gifted Services Program. Initiated a study of the world language program. 'Po Continued to implement the NWEA assessment pro- gram (MAP testing) to better diagnose student learning Planned for implementation of a fee - based, all day kin- dergarten program (Kindergarten Plus). 'Po Planned the expansion of the high school Advanced Placement Program. Implemented the high school Cougar Cafe (for strug- gling students). Enhanced the middle school schedule and curriculum options. Studied the cost justification of closing one elementary school. Communication: 'Po Implemented —with facilitation by CAARE (Cen- tennial Area Advocates for Responsible Education) —an examination of the strengths /weaknesses of district com- munications with its publics. Increased Quad Community Press articles. Continued school and Observer publications. Presented status report to each of five city councils. 'P Presented to senior citizens, early childhood parents, retirees, parents, all staff, students, and other groups and individuals on district goals/ priorities. Structured a community forum on methamphetamine. » Structured public hearings. Standards of Excellence: 'Po Observed continued excellence in student academic performance (see elsewhere in this report). Observed high rates of graduation. 'P. Observed low rates of dropping out. Observed excellent academic progress and graduation rates from Centennial Area Learning Center students. '' Observed, in general, excellent student attendance. Maintained high disciplinary standards /expectations. Observed exceedingly high participation rates and achievement levels in co- curricular and extracurricular ac- tivities. It has been my great pleasure to have been a part of and served your organization —the Centennial School Dis- trict —this past year. I am truly proud of the performances of your children and grandchildren and our fine teaching and support staffs. And, finally, I am grateful to you for the financial support you have provided to us and the con- fidence you have entrusted in us. We intend to continue to earn that trust. .25 Gri--141,(4/