Board plans AYP strategies

District 1 students fall short on testing

Troy School Board members met Wednesday to make final preparations for the coming school year, reviewing last year’s Adequate Yearly Progress results,  approve budget proposals, and increased the price of adult breakfasts.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for District 1 students was reviewed, and Superintendent of the Office of Public Instructions (OPI) of Montana, Denise Juneau’s report indicated insufficient scores resulted from students.

This is the first year high school students have not met AYP standards. Scores in mathematics will need to improve by 10 percent to meet the progress standards. The high school did surpass their AYP goals in reading by 5 percent and overall graduation showed an increase of 4 percent.

An  emphasis will be placed on the junior high, as this will mark the fourth consecutive year the school has not met AYP standards.

Students’ scores in reading failed standards by 6 percent and mathematics by 4 percent.

The Troy Elementary School is now in its second year of scores that do not meet the AYP standards. Although the scores show an increase compared to last year, reading and math will be high on the priority list this school year. Reading scores were 81 percent, the standard is 83 percent and elementary students scored 64 percent in mathematics, the standard is 68 percent.

It is expected that the state will review the reports for Troy school scores and provide feedback to assist the schools in achieving the adequate progress standards.

Superintendent Wendt reminded members the state of Montana ranks in the top five nationally for Measures of Academic Progress scores. Wendt said Troy schools could bring the standards up within the next two years; based on the numbers, students have already shown improvement.

“Teachers have the ability to move them up,” Wendt said.

A budget proposal for Troy Elementary School was approved. Assigning the General Fund with $1.85 million; the Transportation Fund with $170,000 and the Retirement Fund with $240,000.

The total indicates a minimal increase of less than 1 percent as compared to last year’s budget.

The budget proposal for the junior and senior High School was approved, the General Fund with $1.37 million; the Transportation fund with $170,000 and the Retirement Fund with $170,000.

The budget for this school year reflects a minimal increase of less than 1 percent, as compared to last year’s budget. 

Members voted in favor of hiring a new coach, Justin Young, for Troy Junior High football team. Young, will co-coach the team with coach Brendan Miller this football season.

There will be a price increase for adult breakfast served at Troy schools. Breakfast for adults will now be $2.00, as compared to last year’s price of $1.50.

During the summer, Troy schools received improvements. Many window frames, picnic benches, bleachers and the junior high building were repainted. The Elementary School will start the school year with a new concrete slab where the students line up in the morning.

Exit signs were repaired to meet code standards. For safety, signs now will illuminate during a power failure so students and faculty can be evacuated.

The class bell systems were replaced with a computer-programmed system, making it easier to schedule bells in between classes.

Superintendent Wendt encouraged board members to participate in the “Welcome Back Barbecue” held at Roosevelt Park in Troy at 6 p.m., Aug. 29. Wendt promised to flip burgers and hot dogs with the best of them.

The next board meeting for the Lincoln County School District 1 will be at 7 p.m., Sept. 12.