MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER 12th 

Monroe County School Board members met December 12th, 2017 at the AJ Henriquez Administration Building in the board room, for a scheduled School Board workshop, closed session and regular meeting.

  • Officials with the Head Start Program in the district worked with the Board to assess the program’s Governance Readiness. Board members reviewed indicators for and began the assessment process of the program.
  • Horace O’Bryant school faculty and Sugarloaf school presented their School Improvement Plans. Superintendent Mark Porter discussed a 5% increase in overall achievement levels.
    • Principal of HOB, Christina McPherson discussed the challenges and goals at a school level which including working with the school’s EL population. Mrs. McPherson addressed the school goal of 6% increase in achievement for HOB, which would make them an “A” school.
    • Sugarloaf School faculty addressed challenges in acceleration and the learning gains of the students in the lowest 25%, their goals of addressing chronic absenteeism and increasing attendance, and academic strategies for improvement.
  • District Officials recognized Key West High School Assistant Principal Christopher Valdez for his valiant efforts and leadership in opening up the refuge of last resort in Key West.
  • Horace O’Bryant School officials requested the Board to consider dedicating the recently renovated school production studio to Mr. Alan Davis due to his pioneering efforts to developing a TV broadcast production program at the school.
  • District officials recognized Annabelle Smith from Poinciana Elementary School as a Great Educational Moment (GEM) for her creative decision to raise money for a student with cancer, by creating a Lemonade Stand and raising $500 in donations. The Sugarloaf School Parent Teacher Organization were recognized for their assistance and leadership in Hurricane Irma recovery efforts. Officials recognized Key West High School student, Grace Highsmith for her production of a thank you video for her school to reach out to the people and organizations that have donated to the school after Hurricane Irma.
  • School Board Members workshopped during the meeting, the District’s student progression plan. Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability Mr. David Murphy addressed plans at the elementary, middle and high school level, which included testing, acceleration, course selection, and graduation. Mr. Murphy also discussed District potential changes which included going from paper to online report cards, grade weighting, and a 4-year math requirement for high schools.
  • Mr. Porter gave a report to the board about the MCSD Employee Housing Task Force, who is scheduled to meet December 14th, 2017 at Sugarloaf School. He also addressed the 2017-2018 calendar modifications, to emphasize students returning one day earlier from winter break on January 8th. Students will be released early from school on December 22nd and return to school January 8th.
  • Mr. Porter also addressed the ability for staff to access paystubs. Due to a transition to a new payroll software system, employees have been unable to access their recent paystubs. However, employees will have access to the month of November on Wednesday and all paystubs on Friday.
  • Board members voted on the following action items:
    • Approval of Contract with Arthur J. Gallagher for property and casualty insurance brokerage services, 5-0
    • Approval of the 2016-2017 Florida Safe Schools Assessment, 5-0
    • Approval of five policies, 5-0
    • Approval of three job descriptions, 5-0

For a look at the full agenda or to watch the December 12th meeting, please click here. The meeting will be available for on demand viewing by Friday. Follow the District on Facebook @MYMCSD, Twitter @keysschools, and follow the Superintendent on Twitter @supt_porter, for Monroe County School District updates.

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