KINGSTON — During Wednesday's regular meeting, the Wyoming Valley West School Board heard a presentation about its Title I school-wide program, alongside other agenda items like approving new hires and updating policies.
Principals from State Street Elementary Center, Dana Street Elementary Center, Chester Street Elementary, and Third Avenue Elementary presented data showing an overall increase in proficiency rates in early literacy, reading, and math over the last year district-wide.
Chester Street saw a 35% increase in first-grade early literacy proficiency rates and a 7% increase in second through fifth-grade reading proficiency rates.
The information provided was based on Renaissance (STAR) testing, which State Street Principal Tim Needle explained measures student reading and math skills, monitors achievement and growth, and is aligned with common core standards.
Needle noted that the data is also the best indicator of how students will score on standardized tests like the PSSAs.
The growth in proficiency was attributed to a comprehensive school-wide reform initiative implemented this year, which included intervention lessons and activities by Title I faculty and the creation of programs in collaboration with classroom teachers to help meet the needs of students and foster learning.
“Things don’t turn around in a day,” Superintendent David Tosh said following the presentations. “So, the goal was growth, and I think with all of the statistics you see, our goal is more growth next year.”
Public comment
During the public comment section, one parent complained to the board about the frequent breakdown of the elevator at the high school, stating that his son, who uses a wheelchair, has missed class on several occasions over the past year because of it.
The issues had been raised before, and the board said it had a committee meeting prior to the regular meeting to discuss issues with the elevators at both the high school and the middle school.
Other business
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Approved Invoice No. 4182-03 for the Guaranteed Energy Savings Project, from SitelogIQ for $3,764,724 as presented.
• Approved bonding Wyoming Valley West Board Secretary in the amount of $300,000 for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2024.
• Adopted a new K-5 Math series, Reveal Math by McGraw Hill, $409,311.02 (6 years).
• Approved the purchase of a Synthetic Turf Groomer from GreensGroomer, $4,705.
• Approved an agreement between Kimberly Walck and Wyoming Valley West School District as Assistant Finance Manager with Title 1 Federal Programs Fiscal Coordination, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, $90,000.
• Appointed the following new hires: Sahar Graham – Emotional Support Aide/State Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 19, 2024; Ashley Morris – Cleaner/State Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 18, 2024; Arthur Parsons-Cleaner/Dana Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 15, 2024; Shamina Boardman-Cleaner/Dana Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 17, 2024; Quinn Taylor-PCA/Dana Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 15, 2024; Marisol Tejada – Cleaner/Middle School, $13.00/hr. effective April 29, 2024; Stephanie Lawson – Cleaner/State Street, $13.00/hr. effective April 8, 2024; Angela Millikin – Cleaner/Middle School, $13.00/hr. effective April 4, 2024; Shanelle Dates-Hines – Autistic Support Aide/State Strect, $13.00/hr effective April 25, 2024; Kylee Ritchie-Cleaner/Middle School, $13.00/hr. effective April 26, 2024; Bonnie Long-Cleaner/Middle School, $13.00/hr. effective April 26, 2024; Serah Pursel-Cleaner/Middle School, $13.00/hr. effective April 26, 2024; and Elizabeth Brizzy-PCA/State Street, $13.00/hr. effective May 6, 2024.
• Accepted the resignations of the following employees: Donald Bush, who is the Head Custodian at the High School, will work until April 15, 2024; Marlene Guminsky, who is a Cleaner at the High School, will work until April 10, 2024; Barbara Kasson, who is a PCA at the Middle School, will work until May 3, 2024; Michelle Collis, who is a PCA at the Middle School, will work until April 29, 2024; and Barbara Sims, who works as a Cleaner at State Street, will work until April 19, 2024.
• Granted the request from Doug Shook, FBLA Advisor, to allow one junior student to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, from June 28, 2024, to July 3, 2024.
• Approved the job description for a Director of Operations and Facilities Management, with the salary to be determined.
• Named Courtenay Deguon as the new Assistant Special Education with an effective start date to be determined and an annual salary of $85,000.
• Chose Sean McCormick as the new High School Social Studies/Business Teacher, with an effective start date of August 30, 202, and an annual salary of $46,500.
• Selected Mollie Murphy as the new High School Spanish Teacher, with an effective start date of August 30, 2024, and an annual salary of $46,500.
The school board's next work session will be held on Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m., and its regular session will be on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m.
