Wamego’s USD 320 Board heard updates on different programs. At Monday’s meeting, Middle School Principal Vici Jennings went over the benefits of the Professional Learning Corner (PLC), which the board approved last year. PLC is a dedicated hour every Friday for both teachers and students to work together collaboratively to better meet the needs of all the students. Wamego High School has had PLC Friday’s in place for a number of years, and approved the program for the Middle School in order to better prepare the students for High School.
Director Jana Lindley went over the results of the Wamego Technology Center and Online Learning Lab that opened on the High School campus on May 1st. Since opening, the Technology Center has served 30 children and 71 adults (average age of 62). The Online Learning Lab has 19 attendees (11 female & 8 male) with an average age of 23. The Lab offers the students the opportunity to receive a High School Diploma from USD 320. Anyone interested in learning more about the Center can check out the website at www.wamegotechcenter.com.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board reviewed the results of different required tests. At Monday’s meeting, Director of Curriculum, Dr. Mary Kaye Siebert went over the Assessment Report for the 2012-13 school years. She said students are required to be assessed in reading, math and science in the spring, but emphasized that these performance levels are based on the old Kansas standards, and this is the last time the assessments will be based on the old standards. She said Wamego out performed on both the State and National levels in all grades. She said next spring’s assessments will be based on the Common Core Standards.
Wamego High School Principal Tim Winter went over the ACT scores for the past two years. He said that Wamego scored higher overall in every class compared to the national level, with the exception of math. Winter said they have more work to do in math, and asked the Boards approval to offer an ACT Prep course. After discussion, the board gave their approval.
In other business, Superintendent Denise O’Dea went over an option-list of future facility expansion due the anticipated enrollment increases. Each board member was asked to bring a list of names of citizens who would like to serve on a committee to study the issue. No other action was taken.
The Board gave special recognition to Mary Lonker, who is one of 8 finalists in the Kansas Teacher of the Year. Four of the finalists are Elementary teachers, and four are Secondary teachers.
