Waubun meets standards due to 'safe harbor' clause

Preliminary test results for the Waubun-Ogema-White Earth School District showed that American Indian students met Adequate Yearly Progress under "safe harbor."

Scoring above target rate under the safe harbor law means that schools are forgiven for low test scores from one or more subgroups if those students show yearly progress.

While all students scored below target rate in math, all students scored above target under safe harbor in reading, according to the results that Superintendent Mitch Anderson presented to the school board Thursday night.

"The immediate reaction I had when I saw it, I wasn't really excited," Anderson said. "Until I saw what we had last year ... there are signs of improvement."

In 2009, all students including white and American Indian, did not meet proficiency in reading. This year, only students in the free and reduced lunch category did not meet target rate.

However, this year's results remained consistent with last year's math -- all students scored below target rate both years.

But the district was satisfied with the Ogema Elementary School results.

Last year, elementary students did not meet proficiency. This year, all scored above the target rate in reading and math, which means the whole school met AYP.

""Kudos to the third and fourth grade teachers," Anderson said. "That was a pleasant surprise."

At Waubun Secondary School, students didn't meet the requirements in math, but scored above target rate in reading under safe harbor.

Early start

The Waubun Secondary School Improvement Grant (SIG) deadline was July 1. The school board included an early start proposal of Aug. 23 on the application that they hoped to get answers to soon enough to notify parents.

But the earliest state officials will respond to the SIG is Aug. 1, Anderson said. Therefore, the school board agreed to go back to the original start date of Sept. 7, to give the Waubun Secondary staff time to organize the new eight-hour modified block schedule.

"I really like the idea of starting early," Anderson said. "But we really can't keep waiting" to hear back from the state.

Fees increase

The school board voted to increase meal prices slightly to offset the cost of hiring a part-time dishwasher.

High school student lunch meals will go from $1.55 to $2 and breakfast will increase from $1.05 to $1.25.

Elementary student lunch meals will go from $1.30 to $1.75 and breakfast from 80 cents to $1.

Anderson said compared to neighboring districts, the prices are still considered low.

Athletic admission fee increases were also approved by the board Thursday.

Adult single event admissions will go from $4 to $5, students from $2 to $3, student season activity tickets will change from $10 to $20 and adult season activity tickets for all events will increase from $25 to $40.

Drivers education fees will increase from $100 to $200 for Waubun students and to $250 for non-residents, or students from other districts.