Libby stays with Iowa Tests … for now

The Libby School Board on Monday night voted following a lengthy discussion to continue administering the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills to students this year. However, the school will study its use of the standardized test and whether or not to make a change in the future.

Kirby Maki, school superintendent, said a committee will get together as this school term comes to a close to look at testing for next year. The school district has utilized the Iowa Tests for several years.

“It can really evaluate a student’s growth – short-term and long-term and we can look at curriculum … so it’s a good way to kind of get a heartbeat for the school as far as learning is concerned.”

Issues were raised about the Iowa Tests and whether or not they are effective – including a question about its necessity for kindergarten students.

The tests, used by school districts around the country, measure students’ abilities in subjects such as math and language arts. They are graded with a percentile score for comparative and grade equivalent purposes.

In other business from the meeting:

• Libby Lofts paid the last $75,000 it owed the district for the old high school building. Libby Lofts now owns the building outright.

• The board set substitute teacher pay effective July 1. In terms of daily pay rates, certified subs will earn $75, non-certified subs will earn $65 and certified retired Libby teachers will earn $80. In addition, classified subs will earn $8.50 per hour.

• LHS wrestling coach Jay Graham’s tenure as coach officially ended with the acceptance of his resignation letter. “It has been a true honor and pleasure to be associated with the Libby Logger Greenchain and LHS activities for over 22 years,” Graham wrote. “I would like to thank the district for this wonderful opportunity that has given me memories and friendships that I will treasure forever.”

• The 2009-10 school calendar was approved. Maki said there were no major changes.

• The board approved a list of judges for the upcoming election. Seats to be filled include those currently held by Lee Disney, Jerry Frament, Gela Koehler and Bruce Sickler. The election is scheduled for 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on May 5 at Asa Wood Elementary.

• The board approved the lease of a van from Rich Thompson for $1. The van is used to transport the golf team.

• The board is looking to bring family resource centers in to the elementary, middle school and high school campuses as a way to improve communication and outreach with parents. The district would pay only a fraction of those salaries ($15,000) with the rest of the funding through AmeriCorps. All three positions would be eight hours per day. The idea materialized through the “Carving New Directions” process.

• The district reported enrollment figures of 363 at Asa Wood (grades K-3), 428 at Libby Middle School (grades 4-8) and 474 at Libby High School (grades 9-12). The largest class is grade 11 with 128 students. The smallest class is grade 7 with 71 students.