The Guthrie Center School Board met last night in regular session and many district items were discussed.

The first main item the Board addressed was in relation to fall test scores for 7th through 11th graders in the district.  The district administers tests through the Northwest Evaluation Association, better known as NWEA, twice a year to get a snapshot of how students grow over the course of the school year in the subject areas of reading, language arts, math and science.

We reported on Raccoon Valley Radio earlier this month about those test results at the end of the 2012-13 school year.  Now after fall 2013 tests, data shows 77% of 7-11th graders passed as proficient in reading, 75% in math, 78% in language arts, and 82% in science.  All numbers are up across the board, and Superintendent Steve Smith there are a variety of factors that come into play, including the possibility of a proficient student entering or leaving the district.

Next, the Board unanimously approved the district’s P.E. exemption policy and the district’s school improvement and vocational committees.

Then the district discussed certified enrollment numbers for this school year.  Guthrie Center Schools are down 1.10 students based on the number computed that is directly tied to how much state aid a district receives.  With per pupil aid valued at about $6,000, the district will receive about $6,600 less from the state next year.

Smith says enrollment is up over 2011 numbers even though the number is slightly down this year.

Finally, the Board’s members all confirmed their plans to attend the Iowa Association of School Boards Convention in Des Moines next month.  That is scheduled for November 20th and 21st at the Iowa Events Center.

The School Board will meet again on Monday, November 18th.  As always the meeting will take place in the Superintendent’s Office and begin at 7pm.