School Board work session explores three issues
The Nome Public Schools Board of Education met via Zoom last week in a work session to discuss three topics of interest: The Nome Elementary School Improvement and Literacy program, a review of school discipline data and the board’s rules for public comment opportunities during board meetings.
NES literacy program
Nome Elementary Principal Elizabeth Korenek-Johnson spoke first on the promotion of better reading in the elementary school students. The program is dealing with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We did see some significant growth but also some drops after the closure, which we expected,” she said. Thirty-one first and second grade students are getting tutoring. The tutoring sessions last for six weeks and there are seven tutoring groups. The students are assessed in the first and last week of the program. Between the tutoring sessions the team meets to make adjustments to the tutoring groups as the kids progress or need a more appropriately leveled group. Each student gets a reading log on Mondays with the expectation that they’ll read for 20 minutes a day. Reading at home can lead to significant academic advancement.
“It’s so much more difficult to engage kids in reading now when they have so many other temptations using electronics and especially games,” said board member Nancy Mendenhall.
Student discipline
The principals of the three Nome schools were on the phone to talk about the data on student discipline and what they were learning from it. Lisa Leeper of Anvil City Science Academy was first. “We try to engage parents as much as possible when we try to help students learn about their behaviors and how make better choices,” said Principal Leeper. “The offenses are small and we can have a one-on-one conversation to guide the student.” In the past school year they had 16 detentions at ACSA from 11 students. Some had more than one. But none were serious, mostly disruptions in class and a disrespectful attitude. “They have a talk with us and we explain what sort of different choices they could make,” Leeper said.
Jay Thomas of Nome-Beltz High School reported the most common cause for discipline at the high school is disruptive behavior. “Our numbers are staying kind of consistent,” he said. “I feel over my 20 years student mental health is playing an increasing role in referrals. Parents want to help. When a kid is having problems the parents may not know what to do to help but they want to help. We need to inform them and trust them as partners.”
“As a parent myself I know how hard it is when you just don’t have answers,” said Lisa Leeper. She stated that parents need to be part of the equation. Nancy Mendenhall commented that it’s important for the teachers to get to know the students well enough to understand what’s bothering them. “It could be boredom or whatever life is bringing to them,” she said. “One of the good things going on at ACSA is because the teachers have the students more than just one year. They get to know the kids better and the kids get to know them better.” After three or four years together there’s a real connection. “I think that helps a lot with these problems. Getting to know the individual kid is essential.”
Jay Thomas reported that they don’t have an after school detention. Students who are tardy serve their detention in the lunch room. This fall there were 26 incidents, 21 of them in middle school. Two students accounted for 10 of the suspensions. There were three incidents which required the involvement of law enforcement. “That sounds like a wild bunch that they sent up to us and part of that is true,” said Thomas. “There are about four of five kids that account for most of the discipline.”
Principal Thomas praised the Nome Police Department for their skill in handling problems when they are called. “They’ve been really responsive to us,” he said. “They’ve done a nice job and they’re very respectful to students when they come out. I’ve yet to see one of these guys get rough or get mean or even raise their voice. They’re doing a really nice job.”
Superintendent Jamie Burgess wrapped up the discussion, saying “I think it’s obvious that kids are happy to come back to school. As a result they’re trying to behave well for their teachers.”
Public comment
On the topic of public commentary during board sessions there was agreement that hearing from the public is welcomed and that it should be more inviting so people aren’t intimidated by the prospect of standing up before the board. “It’s important for families in the community to know that we welcome comments,” said board member Barb Amarok. “We welcome people to come to board meetings.” The bylaws of the board give the public an opportunity to address the board before and after agenda items. In the bylaws the only mention of time is that commenters must comment as briefly as the subject permits. The president of the board may modify the time allowed for comment and may rule on the appropriateness of the topic. The current three- minute limit is not in the bylaws and there is wiggle room on the time allowed.
“The way it’s worded sounds intimidating,” said Nancy Mendenhall. “There was a time long ago when the public comment was uncontrolled and it did get out of hand. As I recall the board president almost felt like she had to call the police. But people are generally respectful at the meetings. I would like to see it opened up more with the understanding that if somebody did just go on and on that the chair could simply call a recess. I think we should try and have something more encouraging to the public,” said Mendenhall.
“We can put something in there that states we welcome input and suggestions from the public,” suggested Jamie Burgess. “It’s important that we’re clear about what topics are off-limits,” she said. “We can’t have people talking about discipline issues or talking about staff disparagingly.”