The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. by Mrs. Ragsdale.
Principals� Remarks: Mr. Hawkins, Principal, reported MAP test completion by students was 99.5% at the high school and 100% at the middle school. Ms. Lewis reported that the current student enrollment for the 2001-2 school year is 544 at the middle school and 607 at the high school., with the project enrollment being 600 for each school. The graduating class has 111 students of which 100% are planning to attend college and 69 will be receiving college preparation certificates of endorsement. Thirteen students are candidates for the International Baccalaureate diploma. A College Placement Counselor is on staff at the high school. He anticipates that 10-12 teaching positions will need to be filled for the fall.
Plans are being made to repeat the billboard campaign and to develop some LCPA recruitment items for radio.
In response to inquires, Mr. Hawkins outlined the adversity faced by LCPA athletic programs including District funding disparities between major and minor sports and varying student interest in athletic activities. Mr. Hawkins reported that 3.5 out of 5 students are involved in athletic activities. The LCPA football team was 1st in the District, the girls� & boys� basketball teams were 1st in the Interscholastic League, & the girls� tennis team had a 11-2 season which resulted in the win of a trophy.
Mrs. Ransom is establishing an Alumni Directory. Efforts are also being made to host a benefit function on 18th Street.
Ms. Scholes, Associate Principal, reported that six middle school students will be participating the Duke Talent search with two students receiving grand honors.
Summer School Update: Summer school for LCPA students will be held in the Foreign Language School at 3450 Warwick and will accommodate 300 students. Ms. Lewis, Admission/Summer School Officer, will mail applications for summer school to current and incoming LCPA students. Teachers who will be providing summer school instruction are requesting permission and assistance with moving necessary teaching materials from LCPA to the summer school site.
Renovation Update: A preconstruction meeting was held on May 7. Plans are being made for packing materials including highly technical computer equipment. The renovation plans for the building were briefly outlined. Mr. Hawkins expressed concern regarding security issues with renovation workers beginning in the buildings. Mr. VunCannon, Facilities/CIP Director, will have Mr. Sipp, Project Manager, assure that security is in place when workers are on the sites. Mr. Hawkins requested that defective lockers be replaced or repaired during the renovation. The items listed on the Scope of Work prepared in February 1999, are to addressed during the renovation this summer. Negotiations are being held with Coca-Cola regarding the possibility of obtaining outdoor bleachers for the game field. A request was made that the coaches' offices in the Gym area of the middle school be included in the air conditioning plans for the middle school. Mr. VunCannon and Mr. Sipp are working with the contractors regarding maintaining the established time-line to assure that the building be ready for occupancy when school begins in August. Final punch list items may need to be finished on weekends and evenings. The Library/Media Center in the high school will probably not be completed until mid-September. Parent volunteers may be solicited to assist with reshelving books.
Committee Reports:
Academic Achievement: In response to an inquiry regarding closing
identified achievement gaps, Mrs. Barr reported that the emphasis has
been on requiring the same high academic standards for all students and
establishing the mentoring program. LCPA disaggregated data of performance standards show that the achievement gaps are remaining
stable. The major effort this school year has been concentrated on MAP
test achievement. Instructional focus has been placed on areas of deficit in MAP test results, especially science and math, with Instructional Coach specialists in both areas.
School Advisory Committee (SAC): A request was made that LCPA continue to be vigilant of racial diversity in co-curricular and extra-curricular participation. Mrs. Postma outlined SAC activities for this school year including assisting with student orientations and Parent Workshops, Panel Discussion with elected & appointed officials, providing information on college & scholarship application process, assisting with student recruitment events, MAP test preparation, & Parent Appreciation Celebration featuring various student performances.
Mrs. Postma reported that the March SAC meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, Mar. 15, due to inclement weather. Mrs. Postma discussed efforts to seek input from parents regarding proposals to change the bell/start time beginning next year. Parents expressed their concerns regarding the early bus pick-up times, lengthy bus rides for students, safety factors regarding students waiting at bus stops in the dark, early morning hours, and studies which have shown that teenagers biological clocks cause difficulty with functioning at peak performance following awakening early. Concerns were also expressed regarding timing after school activities such as athletics, tutoring and extra-curricular events when the dismissal time is delayed due to later start times.
Alumni - Historic Designation: Mr. Taylor reported that a hearing was held by the Landmarks Commission for the historic designation for the high school building on March 23. The Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to recommend the historic designations for the high school building. The issue will go to the city�s planning commission. If successful there, it will move to the City Council for a final decision. He expressed gratitude to people who provide witness and testimony in support of the historic designation. The chairman of the Landmarks Commission was very complimentary of quality the Lincoln High School application. The Kansas City Historic Foundation will honor Mr. Taylor on May 16 at The Loretto, 1111 W. 39th St., for his work on the application. Mrs. Ragsdale expressed appreciation to Mr. Taylor for his efforts on this application, which has been in process for over two years.
Superintendent�s Remarks: Dr. Taylor will evaluate the retirement system structure for teachers to determine if any state waivers are available for KCMSD teachers. The desire to and the problems with retaining experienced, quality teachers was expressed. The possibility of compensating teachers with IB training & endorsement as increments beyond the established salary scale will be considered. He hopes to replicate LCPA�s success and rigorous secondary school curriculum. He hopes to accentuate the positive efforts being made by the District. He is requesting that all media requests go through the Communications Office so the District is articulating the same message. The bell/start times will probably remain the same for next school year. Plans are to form a task force to study the issue of bell times & develop recommendations.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
The next Task Force meeting will be:
Tu., September 18, at 12:00 noon at the Bruce Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway
Submitted by:
Kay Postma