District-Wide Goals Are Set For Holbrook Schools

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   District-wide goals for the 2009-10 school year were established during a Sept. 8 work session of the Holbrook School District Governing Board.
   The goals set include an improved graduation rate at the high school, a 25-percent improvement in Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) scores for students currently in the “approaches” and “falls far below” categories, expansion of professional development training, improved community relations, and regular recognition of outstanding work by teachers, support staff and students.
   Superintendent Robbie Koerperich told the board that the goals were one of the tools to take the school district “from good to great.”
   “To take it from this level where we’re at to the next level,” he said. “To take leadership to the level where it’s sustainable so that the district will continue to develop regardless of who’s in leadership.”
   School administrators sat down with board members and worked in groups to help establish the goals.
   Holbrook High School Principal Lance Phaturos noted that he believes one good way to both improve the school district and measure outcomes is to increase the school’s graduation rate. He told the board that within five years he hopes to have an 80 percent graduation rate for four-year students and a 90 percent graduation rate for five-year students.
   The national average is 72 to 75 percent for four-year and about 82 percent for five-year.
   Hulet Elementary School Principal Tim Newton-Pender explained that while the elementary schools play an important role in preparing students for high school, he felt a measurable goal for the lower grades would be an increase in AIMS scores. He told the board that his goal is to move at least 25 percent of the students currently scoring in the “falls far below” standards category into the “approaches” standards category; and to move at least 25 percent of students currently in the “approaches” category to the “meets” standards category.
   “We want to really intervene with the students who are ‘approaches’ and ‘falls far below,’” he remarked.
   District-wide, a greater emphasis will be placed on professional development, including ensuring that training supports the district’s overall goals and expanding training for support staff.
   Koerperich underscored the need to make sure that what is being taught to the teachers is being applied. “I think this is what makes a difference in the classroom,” he said.
   To improve community relations, Koerperich told the board he plans to host a number of forums throughout the year for parents and citizens. Administrators also agreed to reach out to parents and the community more by sending personal letters, and by advertising school activities and accomplishments.
   School administrators also set a goal to regularly recognize outstanding work. Holbrook Junior High School Principal Linda Crumrine suggested that a set of guidelines be put in place to recognize teachers and staff members.
   “I think we need guidelines so it’s not just a popularity contest,” she remarked.
   Koerperich suggested a future meeting to discuss setting such guidelines.
   “I think we need to think about how we can recognize accomplishments,” he remarked. “Anytime you shed a positive light on something it tends to cause people to want to do it more.”