WINNEMUCCA - The Humboldt County School District Board of Trustees narrowed down its tentative goals for the upcoming year at Tuesday's meeting, and the main focus boiled down to: increased visibility of board members, full support of increasing graduation rates and professional development.
The goals will not be officially approved until the next meeting, but board members were in agreement that those three items were of top importance heading into the upcoming school year.
The first goal - increased visibility - consists of several different components. Board member Andrew Hillyer said that being involved and showing an interest alone can make a big impact on students.
"Having an adult that's interested in your life, whether it's a teacher, a coach, an aide, makes all the difference in the world," he said.
Board member Bruce Braginton said that in addition to site visits at the schools, trustees could sit in on administrator training sessions and make an effort to meet more students when out on visits to increase visibility.
New Assistant Superintendent Dawn Hagness said that's something she would like to see.
"I would like to see more board members present at trainings so they see the value in it," she said.
"It gives you a different perspective."
Superintendent Dr. Dave Jensen said that administrators were impressed with the active role board members played last year, and is something that should be carried forward.
"Last year, administrators were thrilled with the visibility (of the board)," he said. "In one year, they said they saw more board members present than in their entire careers."
Several board members also mentioned truancy board, and the general consensus was that participating is another way to get involved in the district, while at the same time supporting a program that has the potential to increase graduation rates.
Board members agreed that it was a responsibility of the board as a whole to support any programs that are intended to increase graduation rates. One idea that was mentioned was a mentor program that would allow students to form "big brother/big sister" type relationships.
Chairman John Seeliger said, "We have to have clubs and activities to get the kids involved in something."
The final goal, professional development, applies to the board as a whole and to individual board members.
Jensen said he will work to organize a group professional development training session, but the individual aspect will fall on the shoulders of the board members themselves. Things like reading relevant research and articles and attending other training sessions on one's own time would be considered personal professional development.
Jensen said that while the administration is progressing through professional development of their own, he challenges the board to seek the same thing.
Braginton supported the goal, saying it was valid and needed.
"It's a valid goal to become more educated in factors that influence graduation rates and student engagement," he said.
Between now and the next meeting, board members will have the opportunity to reflect on the chosen goals and determine if more needs to be added, changed, or elaborated on. Once the goals are finalized, Jensen said it will be vital to visit the goals on a regular basis, rather than just once at the end of the year, to make sure that they are being carried out.[[In-content Ad]]
