Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz recently was evaluated by the school board and received a favorable review.
However, Hintz voluntarily accepted for his salary and benefits to be frozen as the state has cut school funding this year and more may be forthcoming next year.
The school board did vote Monday night to extend Hintz's contract a year to June 30, 2013. Typically, the school board policy is to approve an administrator's contract for no more than two years at a time.
Hintz was named superintendent in April 2009. His salary was set at that time at $128,000 per year plus benefits.
Also Monday night, Hintz presented the school corporation's strategies, goals and action plans for the 2010-11 school year.
The school board approved them on first reading, with the expectation they will be given a final approval at the Sept. 20 meeting.
The focus this year is on four areas: leadership, learning, policy and procedures, and operations and facilities.
The learning strategy is to identify and overcome all obstacles in order to ensure that each student has the competence to achieve WCS's mission.
Goal 1 is to ensure students are "proficient" or "distinguished" in reading, writing and math at their grade level.
There are 10 action plans to accomplish the goal. Two of those include establishing criteria for reaching standards and/or demonstrating growth toward "proficient" and "distinguished" levels; and analyzing student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.
"As you know, we are about getting better," Hintz said.
Goal 2 is to increase the use of data in making policy, program and decisions for reporting on system accountability. Action plans include conducting a review of data needed for policy, program and instructional decision-making; training staff in data-driven decision making; and creating an annual report for improved reporting on system accountability.
Goal 3 is "technology will enhance and accelerate learning and increase student results."
There are six action plans for the goal. Two of those include piloting the implementation of the school corporation's technology curriculum and identifying key initiatives in the long-range technology plan.
For the operations and facilities strategy, the school corporation "will leverage the assets of our system and community to optimize the results for all students."
The first goal under that strategy is to secure adequate funding for the school corporation for 2012.
Action plans include increasing presence and influence at the state level for increased education funding; evaluating the possibility of holding a local referendum to increase funding for the 2012-13 school year and supporting efforts to pass any issue placed on the ballot by the board; identifying issues influencing revenue factors; and improving branding and marketing efforts to increase enrollment and address other revenue possibilities.
The other goal is to update the school corporation's facility plan to complement the future needs of students.
There are six action plans for the goal. Among those plans are to include finalizing standards for the appearance and upkeep of buildings and grounds; reviewing phases B, C and D of future construction projects commissioned by the board in 2007; investigate the viability of a science, technology, engineering and math school at the elementary school level.
The leadership strategy is to "support, contribute to and sustain the achievement of the mission."
The first goal under leadership is to develop the school corporation's strategic plan, including the vision, mission, strategic objectives, strategies, measurement tools, action plans, annual results, timelines and strategic delimiters.
Action plans include participating in and reacting to the results of the proposed review of the school corporation by OrthoWorx, and encourage representatives of all stakeholder groups in the strategic planning process.
The last goal is to collaborate with community groups to increase pride in Warsaw Community Schools.
Action plans include assessing current community partnerships and seeking opportunities to enhance the corporation's reputation among key stakeholders; develop and implement a comprehensive public relations and marketing plan for the school corporation; and increase media coverage of student, staff, school and school corporation success.
Hintz also provided the school board with student enrollment numbers as of Friday. There are a total of 3,369 students at the elementary school level and 1,111 students at the two middle schools. The high school student enrollment is up to 2,165 students.
The total WCS enrollment is 6,990 students.
Official count day is Sept. 17.
In other business, the school board:
n Heard a report from Edgewood Middle School and summer school coordinator JoElla Smyth on summer school. There were 1,167 students who attended summer school, 912 credits earned and 164 credits were credits recovered.
n Approved federal grant applications for The Part B Federal Special Education grant in the amount of $1,420,400, and the Special Education Preschool Grant for $39,944.
n Approved the 2010-11 School Title III Grant for $103,460. The purpose of the fund is to help ensure that Limited English Proficient and immigrant children attain English proficiency and language instruction to develop high levels of academic attainment.
n Approved a $10,000 grant from the K21 Foundation to Warsaw Community School nurses. The money will be used to assist students for such things as eye exams and eyewear, urgent dental care, prescription medications, counseling services and other measures.
n Approved personnel recommendations, including naming Amy Sively as the new Alternative Learning Center director.
n Heard from Hintz that he will be recommending adding two additional first-grade teachers, one to Claypool and one at Madison, because of enrollment.
He also reported dedication ceremonies for the new schools will be Sept. 26 for Leesburg; Oct. 10 for Claypool; and Oct. 17 for Jefferson. Madison's dedication is to be determined.
In September, Hintz said he wants to schedule a public work session with the board to discuss the old Madison and Leesburg schools. The public will get a chance then to share their thoughts on what to do with the old schools.
