Present: Nancy Barr, Cynthia Black, Rhonda Burnett, Gwen Grant, Harold Hawkins, Kay Postma, Bobbie Radford, Darrell Stock, John Veal, Linda Williams, Eva Wojcik-Obert

The committee�s purpose is to monitor & promote student academic achievement. It is a combined subcommittee of the LCPA Task Force & SAC. The meeting was held at 4:00 p.m. in the High School ROTC Room with Nancy Barr officiating. The following items were distributed:
LCPA MO Assessment Program (MAP) Test Results:
Science & Communications Arts, Grade 7; Math & Social Studies, Grade 8; Science & Math, Grade 10; Social Studies & Communication Arts Grade 11; including results from1998, 1999 & 2000
LCPA MAP Results, Spring 1999 with state & KCMSD comparison LCPA, ACT Scores in Reading, English, Math, Science reasoning, & composite 1999/2000 dis-aggregated by race, sex with LCPA, state & national averages

The problems with after-school bus transportation was discussed. LCPA has received notice that, as a cost cutting measure, 3:30 p.m. buses will not be provided to transport students remaining after school for activities. Gwen Grant relayed a conversation with Dr. Hines, Deputy Superintendent, in which he outlined plans to present a plan to the School Board at their next meeting on Oct. 3. It appears that Dr. Hines will be requesting funding to provide after-school buses for transporting students to centralized drop points at an elementary school located near the student�s home for the schools that requested this bus service.

It has been estimated that the cost for the 3:30 p.m. buses for LCPA is approximately $150-200,000. Currently the District is offering to provide 4:45 p.m. late-activity buses as well as 5:30 p.m. sports-activity buses. It was noted that last school year approximately 200 high school students participated in after-school academic programs. If teachers must be paid to remain after school for two hours instead of one, the amount of funds allocated for after-school programs will be depleted in one semester. The possibility of reducing the after-school offerings to two days each week with each teacher remaining two hours is being considered. The use of study groups is also being considered. It was noted that LCPA�s after-school programs provides opportunities for gifted students at the high school level as well as academic support for advanced course offerings.

Members of the committee were encouraged to call School Board members before next Tuesday�s meeting to encourage them to support Dr. Hines� plan. An alternative would be for LCPA to request an exception to receive 3:30 p.m. after-school buses on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Kay Postma will prepare a letter supporting the 3:30 p.m. after-school bus service to be sent to District officials and Board members. She will request to be on the agenda to speak in support of after-school activity bus transporation at the Oct. 3 School Board meeting. (Note: comments are only heard by the Board at the second monthly Board meeting which will be Oct. 17.)

Mr. Hawkins requested information regarding the history of considerations LCPA has received from the District. It was noted that per pupil expenditures should be evaluated in terms of student attendance not just enrollment. LCPA�s attendance rate is higher, with a higher percentage of students graduating and enrolling in college than at other high schools.

The recent test scores were reviewed. Further comparisons of MAP scores with other schools in the state should be forthcoming. It was noted that the test results for the 20 special education students being housed as LCPA middle school are included in the MAP scores.

It was noted that the high school Spanish teaching position remains unfilled. The Spanish position at the middle school is being filled by a student teacher who is being supervised by Ms. Black, Vice Principal. A job sharing arrangement is being explored for the high school art teacher position with the photo-journalism portion being filled separately. Concerns regarding mentoring new teachers at LCPA were discussed. Mr. Hawkins expressed a desire to add ACT test preparation software at a cost of $700 for use by upper class students and students enrolled in the College Prep course. He accepted donations for purchasing this software from several committee members.

This committee will meet on the third Wednesday of each month (to be adjusted for holidays) at 3:00 p.m. in the high school ROTC room. Attendance by school administration and heads of the departments will be requested. Student performance in standardized math tests is on the agenda for the next meeting The next meeting will be

October 18th at 3:00 p.m.
in the high school ROTC room