SDR board reviews district, DPI report cards

On Monday, Nov. 17, the Rhinelander School Board reviewed the district’s report card at their regular board meeting. The report card is broken down into four core areas: Student learning and success, operational and financial stewardship, high performing teams and engagement and connectedness. These four areas are called for in the district’s strategic plan. Success in each area is indicated by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The report card identified five different areas the district wanted to measure. The first was Hodag Readiness, or how the students were growing socially and emotionally, as well as their movement down career pathways. The composite score of the ACT was another metric of interest as well as the growth of students from their freshman year through their junior year. Overall score on state assessment tests from grades 3-8 and scores for civics and social studies in grade 11 are other metrics included.

The overall score on the district’s state report card was a score of 62.9, which was in the “meets expectations” category. This was consistent with the last two years.

One of the Hodag Readiness indicators is Algebra II. It is an indicator of full success into college and career pathways. The district continues to see 80 percent of students achieving a C- or better in that course. 

“Hodag Readiness remains a leading strength for the district,” the report stated. “The school met or exceeded nearly all life and career readiness indicators.” 

The report card also showed exceptional progress of students on their ACT scores from freshman year to senior year. This metric showed a 2.5 point increase, with reflected effective instruction, targeted support and a strong student effort, according to the report. 

In the area of the Forward Exam, results showed that over 40 percent of students achieved a “meeting” or “advanced” level in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math. The report said this reflected stable performance and an ongoing emphasis on foundational academic skills. Career readiness continues to be a strong area in the Rhinelander school system.

“Hodag Readiness also looks back through how are our students as people, and measuring different indicators through surveys, and just seeing a lot of great growth in those areas as well,” Ryan Ourada, district director of instruction, said regarding the school turning out not only academically fit students, but students who were good people as well.

The next area was operational and financial stewardship. In that area, the budget is built with the strategic plan in mind, meaning resources are directed toward things highlighted in that plan such as teacher training and materials students need. The annual audit, once again, showed no issues. 

In the area of facilities, many projects had been completed in the last year such as air conditioning being added to the Rhinelander High School auditorium. A new playground and parking lot was also completed at NCES and parking lot work was completed at both Crescent and Central schools, among other projects. A referendum was also passed to remodel the high school and James Williams Middle School for new technical education spaces and updating of several other spaces. A master plumber was also hired for the maintenance department. Other than the track, repairs had been completed on the Hodag Dome. It was reported the power had gone out a couple of times, and the new system alerted the maintenance department immediately, so the hope was there would be no more issues there. The report card rating for the facilities plan was a 4 – Exceeds Expectations.

School safety was also highlighted. The district still works with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and officers are visible in the schools. The middle school will also have a new, secure entrance, with the recent referendum passing.

In the way of technology, it was reported the fiber broadband project was completed last year. Student Chromebooks are continually replaced annually. The school board will be provided with Chrome Books as well, and approximately a quarter of the teacher laptops were replaced this year. All other technology within the network is replaced on a schedule, and that schedule was current, it was reported. 

The overall rating for operational and financial stewardship was 4 – Exceeds Expectations.

In the area of high performing teams, district human resources director Michele Cornelius said there were six indicators involved. Staff engagement was one of those, and the annual staff engagement survey was used to garner those results. The rating here was a 4. The same tool was used for a staff satisfaction rating which brought the same rating. Staff recruitment also fell into the “Exceeds Expectations” category.

Staff retention fell into the category of “Significantly Exceeds Expectations.” The rolling four year average of 8 percent. She said the district was satisfied with the direction that was moving.

Data driven collaboration also received a “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” rating. All together, this gave the area of high performing teams a rating of 4.

Engagement and connectedness was measured in a variety of ways. This was the second year of the student survey. It was reported that 91 percent of students in grades 4-12 completed the survey, giving good data for a rating. In each area of connection, learning, environment and experience all increased from the prior year. Not only in each area, but in every question asked throughout the survey, the system saw an increase. 

Student learning received a 4. Ninety-one percent of students agreed they did their best at school, for instance. Seventy-five percent said they enjoyed they liked working in groups with their classmates, which was a big increase from last year.

Student experience also received an “Exceeds Expectations” rating with 91 percent of students agreeing that teachers treated them with respect. The big increase, to 81 percent, came from those agreeing that teachers explained things in a way they understood. That score was up 5 percent over last year. 

In the area of student connection, 92 percent of students said they had friends to sit with at lunch or friends to hang out with at school. This was almost a 5 percent increase. Ninety-one percent of students said teachers treat them with respect, and the same amount reported that they like helping people when they can. There was also a large increase in students who felt, if they had a big problem, there was someone at school to whom they could turn. 

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].