With a call to order, Roll Call, Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag, and Salute to the N.M. Flag the March 8th Artesia Public School Board Meeting began. Once the agenda received approval, the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education & Federal Programs, Cody Skinner, and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Danny Parker, reported and gave miscellaneous updates on elementary and secondary instruction. The large discussion topic on the agenda for Mr. Skinner and Mr. Parker was the discussion of stakeholder feedback on the 2022-2023 academic calendar. A proposed 10 day increase to the 178 day academic calendar in place at present is up for discussion for the district. The calendar extension would mean 188 days of classroom instruction for students instead of the typical 178 days. As part of this discussion, a meeting on March 7th took place to receive input from the community stakeholders. A synopsis from that meeting was provided to attendees of the school board meeting on March 14th. Please see below for an abridged version of those notes:
Work for better quality of the 178 instructional days instead of adding more days
- Utilize time we have, too many absences
- Days lost to testing (semester, short cycle)
- Student social/emotional issues not addressed by more days
- Many students will be absent on the days added at Thanksgiving (3) and Spring Break (1)
- Students would be better supported by more support staff/tutors than more days
Extra days will not help the student who is disengaged or who is not supported at home
- Does not improve parent accountability
- Way too many zeroes presently
- Student apathy
- Chronic absenteeism is a big problem
- Inconsistency doesn’t mitigate engagement problems
Students would lose some of the experiences of summer
- Days added to the calendar are days taken away from the parents
- School is stressful need time to unwind
- Family time is enriching and important
- 2 weeks of earning time for some students
- Lead to more parents disenrolling for homeschool or other options
Is the 10 extra days a data driven decision?
- No peer research is available that the extra10 impacts academic achievement
Miscellaneous remarks
- Quality over quantity (hear often in all three meetings)
- Bring standards up for eligibility
- Support staff are worn out; often doing the job of substitutes for no extra pay
- Each school needs a “behavior room”
- Concerns about Fair Week
- 2nd grade composition book for 1915–compared to today’s work
- Extra days will increase the lack of availability of substitutes because of more days
- Concerned about those students who will not receive enriching activities in the summer or parental attention to basic needs
The takeaway from the March 7th meeting is as follows, “we need to increase the quality of the current 178 instructional days. Parents and teachers would like to see more consistency. That consistency will increase a student’s stability and confidence. We need to provide consistent routines and known expectations will increase student achievement.”
A survey will be issued March 15th with the following questions to continue the stakeholder conversation: Which calendar do you support? 178 day or 188 day
Please explain why you believe a 178 or 188 day calendar is best for students?
After the calendar discussion, the Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Thad Phipps gave his report. Mr. Phipps sought approval for numerous projects including one to accept a CES Proposal for material, equipment, and labor for AHS Main building mechanical and roof renovation; approval for carpet at the old administration building, approval to replace 2 mechanical units at the old administration building; a proposal to replace the gym floors at Hermosa and Roselawn Elementary Schools, replacement field and berm turf replacement at Bulldog Bowl, approval for refinishing of gymnasium floors, equipment pricing for the Estelle Yates Auditorium renovation, and a CES proposal for design services for a new wrestling facility at AHS.
Superintendent, John Ross Null, gave his reports. After announcements, he listed current job postings in the district. New listings for an Elementary School Principal at Central Elementary and a Director of Health and Wellness Services for the Artesia Public Schools will be advertised. Current principal of Central Elementary, Tammy Davis, will join the Assistant Superintendent rank.
Dates to Remember:
• March 21st – 25th Spring Break
• March 28th Region VI Regional School Board Meeting – Jal – 5:30
• April 11th Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
• April 15th Spring Interim – No School
• April 22nd Staff Professional Development/Staff Awards – No School for Students
