Staff writer
The USD 408 Board of Education announced the ACT scores for the district meeting Monday.
The average composite test score for the 49 students who took the test was 21.1, one point lower than last year’s average.
Scores also fell in every individual category. The average English score dipped to 20.3 from 21.8 in 2009. The average math score dropped to 20.8 from 21.9. Reading fell to 21.6 from 22.1. Science dropped from 22 to 21.2.
Averages for Marion were lower than state average scores as well. The state average composite score for 2010 is 22, English score is 21.4, math score is 21.7, reading is 22.3, and science is 21.9.
“This is an embarrassment to not hit state scores,” board president Chris Sprowls said. “I’m appalled. We’re not doing our job.”
Sprowls, who is usually reserved during meetings, explained that Marion High School students who take the ACT are trying to score well.
“I’m just frustrated that we haven’t seen the growth we’d like to see,” he said. “It’s unacceptable. We don’t have the problems that inner-city schools have.”
MHS principal Brenda Odgers was also frustrated at the lack of resources available to fix the problem, although she said that MHS math teacher Gary Stuchlik offers ACT prep reviews in the mornings for interested students.
Odgers said the task of improving scores falls on the already heavy-laden backs of MHS teachers. Coordinating efforts among teachers is difficult with limited time slotted for teacher collaboration.
“Our staff development time is very finite,” she said. “I have to try to work with teachers during the school day. There are three teachers on planning time at once and planning time is their planning time. I can’t take their planning time.”
Odgers provided a comprehensive graph detailing the ACT scores for the district with the students corresponding GPA and scores in their top math, reading, English, and science classes.
“I think we do need to make them harder,” Odgers said of MHS classes. “But, it’s a catch 22. We have to try to get them through ‘no child left behind.’ Teachers are under a lot of pressure from a lot of different directions.”
A busy week for Marion
Two items were approved that will bring people to Marion April 13 and 16.
Herington High School was approved to rent the USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center April 16 for their after prom under the condition that they will have the gym cleared for a Mid-American Youth Basketball tournament starting early the following morning.
The board also approved the 3, 2, and 1A state band and choir competition to come to Marion April 13. The school will be closed to allow space for the event; bands will warm up in the Marion Elementary School gym and perform at the sports and aquatic center. Choirs will warm up in the band room at the high school and sing in the USD 408 Performing Arts Center.
Audit
Donna Fadenrecht, an accountant from Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd, presented the district with information from its audit.
The school’s KAPERS balance was in the red which is a statutory violation.
“There is nothing you can do about it,” Fadenrecht said.
Fadenrecht also said the segregation of duties in Marion schools was noted but could not be helped because USD 408 is a small school district.
The audit did not find any material weaknesses and the district did not suffer any current year points.
“I’ll just commend you on how you’re managing your cash balance,” she said.
In other business:
- The Marion FCCLA is going to Albuquerque, N.M. for a national meeting Nov. 5 through 7.
- A seventh-grade student, Layne Nienstdet, from Antelope will be joining MMS on an out-of-district request.
- The board renewed its lease on the saddle club, the shed where the district keeps equipment and a bus, near Marion football stadium.