Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday night at the Butler County Education Complex. The board was called to order, approved the agenda and minutes of the November meeting.

Eric Elms gave the treasurer’s report:
Beginning Balance: $549,191.19
Receipts: $1,910,749.75
Expenses:  $1,230,325.99
Ending Balances:  $1,229,614.95

The board recognized the following groups of students:

BCMS 7th/8th Band Students Qualified for Third District Band – Cole Johnson – 2nd Chair Snare; Bonnie West – 5th Chair Trombone; Clay Johnson – 12th Chair Trumpet; Lauren Tyree and Justin Hudnall – Alternates

BCMS Band Students  Bonnie West, Clay Johnson, Tori Hampton, not pictured Garret Embry– Participation in Murray State University’s Quad State Honor Band.

Superintendent Scott Howard reported on the Festival of Trees Dinner, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendent’s Winter Meeting, the Retired Teachers’ Meeting, the Superintendent’s Advisory Council Meeting, Band Concerts, and the Christmas Parade.

“I am very proud of our schools participation in the Festival of Trees and the Christmas parade,” said Howard.

Howard told the board he would be attending the GRREC Board Meeting, a meeting with a company known as Spyglass, and the KSNA Dinner.

Morgantown Elementary Assistant Principal Chad Flener presented the scores, gaps, and improvement plan to the board. Morgantown Elementary is listed as a school the Needs Improving.  The school had three categories: Achievement 18.2/30, Gap 10.2/30, Growth 20.5/40, combined to reflect their overall score of 48.9 out of a possible 100.
                    MES Average    State Average
Reading               40.2            48.0
Math                    21.6            40.4
Science                58.3            68.8
Social Studies       61.6            59.8
Writing                25.3            31.7
Language            29.6            49.1
“We are not happy with the scores but were not surprised,” said Flener. We have to stay focused on team planning, teaching the standards, using I Can statements, use of formative assessments and instruct toward and assess mastery of standards.”

Butler County Middle School is listed as a school the Needs Improving and a Focus school in reading of special education students. The school had four categories: Achievement 16.3/28, Gap 9/28, Growth 14.5/28, and College/Career Readiness 5.3/16, combined to reflect their overall score of 45.1 out of a possible 100. 
                   
                   BCMS Average   State Average
Reading               42.5            46.8
Math                    29.6            40.6
Science                61.3            61.8
Social Studies       37.1            58.6
Writing                28.3            41.4
Language            39.6            38.4
Principal Robert Tuck presented the scores, gaps, and improvement plan for the Middle School.
“We know we can do better,” said Tuck.  We are already seeing improvements with some preliminary testing. We have implemented literacy training across the curriculum and changed the schedule to offer additional instruction in problem areas.  Teachers are also teaching test taking skills.” 

The board approved the following:
•    Approve Early Graduation Request for two BCHS Students-
•    Approve FY 13 School Facilities Construction Commission KETS Offer of Assistance in the Amount of $20,898    
•    Approve FY 14 District Technology Plan
The school board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.