Whitko's Performance Numbers Vary Across The Board
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Like a bouncing ball, the numbers in Whitko Community School Corp.'s Annual Performance Report are up and down.
In 2006-07, student enrollment at Whitko schools totaled 1,997. That dropped to 1,945 in 2007-08; but increased to 1,961 in 2008-09; and then dropped again to 1,913 in 2009-10.
Whitko's total expenditure per pupil three-year average was $9,600 in 2006-07; $10,200 in 2007-08; and $10,500 in 2008-09. The state average is $10,700.
The state teacher salary range minimum was $24,133, but Whitko's was $29,511 in 2006-07; $29,806 in 2007-08; and $30,104 in 2008-09.
The yearly report also provides the teacher salary range maximum. While the state maximum was $84,686, the maximum for Whitko was $57,241 in 2006-07; up to $57,818 in 2007-08; and dropped to $58,398 in 2008-09.
The percentage of students in special education at Whitko schools has remained fairly steady. In 2006-07 and 2007-08, it was 16.1 percent, and only dropped to an even 16 percent in 2008-09. The state result is 17.5 percent.
The percentage of students in gifted and talented education at Whitko increased from 9 percent in 2006-07; to 12 percent in 2007-08; and 13 percent in 2008-09. The state average was 14 percent.
Like every other school corporation in the area, the percentage of students receiving free lunches/textbooks increased at Whitko over the past three years. In 2006-07, it was 30 percent; up to 34 percent in 2007-08; and 37 percent in 2008-09. The state average is 44 percent.
The percentage of limited English proficiency students at Whitko is the lowest in the area and continues to drop. In 2006-07, the percentage was 0.7 percent; down to 0.6 percent in 2007-08; and down to 0.2 percent in 2008-09. The state average is 4.2 percent.
Whitko High School has seen its student enrollment figure fluctuate since 2006-07. In '06-'07, WHS student count was 584; down to 559 in 2007-08; up to 582 in 2008-09; but down to 571 in 2009-10.
The SAT average score at Whitko High School has gradually risen and was higher than the state average of 1003 in 2008-09. In 2006-07, the SAT average score was 993; was 985 in 2007-08; and 1013 in 2008-09.
The percentage of 12th-graders taking the SAT however has fluctuated. In 2006-07, it was 45; increased to 52 percent in 2007-08; and dropped to 32 in 2008-09. The state average was 49 percent.
On the rise at Whitko High School has been its graduation and attendance rate.
In 2006-07, WHS's graduation rate was 80.4 percent; down to 80.1 percent in 2007-08; and up to 84.9 percent in 2008-09. The state average is 81.5 percent.
The attendance rate dropped to 93.8 percent in 2007-08 from 94 percent in 2006-07; but increased to 94.8 percent in 2008-09. The state average is 96.1 percent.
The number of students at WHS who have dropped out, been suspended or expelled have gone up and down over the past three years.
In 2006-07, there were 14 Whitko High School students who dropped out; 12 in 2007-08; and 14 again in 2008-09.
There were 35 students suspended and eight expelled in 2006-07; 19 suspended and three expelled in 2007-08; and 30 suspended and 15 expelled in 2008-09 at Whitko High School.
The number of expulsions and suspensions at WHS involving drugs, weapons or alcohol was seven in 2006-07; three in 2007-08; and nine in 2008-09.
