Mesa Public Schools

HIGHLIGHTS
A STUDY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
OF THE MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS CURRICULUM SERVICES CENTER
BUILDING 2
549 North Stapley Drive, Mesa, AZ

STUDY SESSION

1.  Review of 2011-2012 Student Achievement

Dr. O'Reilly gave an overview of the district's 2011-2012 student achievement results.  He stated that the quality service results show that 98% of Mesa parents have a high level of satisfaction with their child's school.  He shared the district's AIMS results and stated that they did not change much this year.   He informed the Board that this year's AIMS scores are embargoed and will be released July 27.  Dr. O'Reilly outlined the achievement indicators which include district tests (CRTs), SAT, ACT, PSAT, AIMS, and Stanford 10 scores, as well as academic competitions.  Indicators also include college attendance, retention, and completion statistics.  

Dr. O'Reilly explained that students who Falls Far Below (FFB) on third-grade AIMS reading will not be promoted in the future under the Move On When Reading initiative.  In 2012, 3% of Mesa third-graders were FFBs, down from 4% in 2011 and 6% in 2008.  He also reviewed the district's drop-out and graduation rates.

AZ Learns is the letter grade system established by the state, and 50% of the evaluation is based on passing AIMS.  Last year, the district received a letter grade of "B" and most schools in the district also received a letter grade of "B".  This year's data will be released later today.

2.  Establishment of 2012-2013 Academic and Work Product Goals
Dr. Cowan reviewed the establishment of the 2012-2013 academic and work product goals.  He explained that a representative community team was identified to facilitate the development of the Charting Excellence strategic plan priorities and goals.  The plan guides the work of the school system and engages the community to improve student achievement.  It provides the framework to ensure that the work of the school system is data driven and clearly focused on student success.

3.  Discussion of Defining the Future IV Criteria

Ms. Sylvester reviewed segments of a report provided by Applied Economics.  The report shows that the enrollment of Mesa Public Schools falls into three categories. 

  • Modest growth of the decade from 1990-1991 to 2000-2001
  • Reduced, but still growing, enrollment in the three years from 2002-2003 to 2004-2005
  • Negative growth rates and declining enrollment from 2005-2006 through 2011-2012

The report also shows that the enrollment is now more or less stagnant.  The overall decline in enrollment is largely driven by real estate development plans and a shift in population due to age and demographic influences. 

 

Ms. Sylvester stated that using the School Facilities Board (SFB) analysis regarding enrollment versus square footage at 90 square feet per student, the elementary schools appear to have 6500 empty seats.  The SFB analysis also includes portable classrooms, hallways, multipurpose rooms, and auditoriums.   Ms. Sylvester stated that if the district were to analyze the same information using the figure of 100 square feet per student, there wouldn't be enough space. 

 

After much discussion, Board members asked the administration to bring back more information on how school buildings/portables are being used, what the community involvement at low enrollment schools is like, and what the population decline or growth may be in the future.  They also asked that the administration leave a 10% capacity for growth in the elementary schools and look at the cost effectiveness of older schools/buildings. 

 
4.  Review of Proposed Teacher and Principal Evaluation Systems
Mr. Lesar reviewed the proposed teacher and principal evaluation systems.  The new teacher and principal evaluation systems meet the requirements outlined in state statutes while addressing the goal of helping teachers refine their professional practice and improve student learning.  This new law was enacted in 2010 and requires that this new system be put in place by the start of the 2012-2013 school year. 

The new teacher evaluation system requires:

  • an annual evaluation of teachers
  • rubrics for teaching performance aligned with national teaching standards as approved by the State Board of Education
  • multiple classroom observations that account for 50 to 67 percent of the evaluation outcomes
  • multiple student academic progress measurements that account for 33 to 50 percent of the evaluation outcomes
Teacher evaluation goals should enhance teaching performance and student achievement through targeted professional development and data-informed decision-making.  The teaching performance component will account for 60 percent, student academic progress will account for 33 percent, and continuous school improvement will account for 7 percent of the teacher's final evaluation.  The four levels of performance required by the state are, highly effective, effective, developing, and ineffective. 

Principals are evaluated on performance standards which include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources management, organizational management, communication and community relations, professionalism, and student academic progress.  This evaluation system must also be implemented at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.

5.  Review of Wording for 2012 Bond Election Packet
Ms. Sylvester asked the Board to review the wording for the 2012 bond election packet.  She asked them to come back with suggestions and details at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 26.  She reminded the Board that the information and wording needed to be neutral and not be a position statement. 

The meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m.