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A list of potential changes that Bowling Green Independent Schools’ students and teachers could see during the 2009-10 school year include increased prices for lunch and breakfast, expanded nursing services and an additional teacher at three schools in the district.
The city schools’ board of education met Friday with district leaders at the district’s central office building on Center Street to take part in a planning session for the upcoming school year.
Several topics were addressed during the session, which lasted throughout the Friday morning.
Altogether, district superintendent Joe Tinius recommended 10 steps be taken for the next school year, though the board took immediate action on just one item on the list.
The school board approved a staffing allocation formula that will result in three additional teachers being hired for the upcoming school year - one teacher each at Dishman-McGinnis Elementary School, T.C. Cherry Elementary School and Bowling Green Junior High School.
The move is based on a projected enrollment districtwide of 3,772 students, an increase of 51 over the current year.
Jon Lawson, director of pupil personnel for the city school system, said that average daily attendance had increased this year by 46 students, translating into more funding for the district.
Board member Deborah Williams asked whether the district was experiencing an influx of students transferring from private schools because of financial difficulties.
“I don’t think we’ll see an impact (in enrollment) until the next school year,” Lawson said.
Other recommendations for 2009-10 from the superintendent, which were based on discussion with district officials, included:
“Everyone is interested in video conferencing and Webinars, but demand has increased incredibly while our performance has been degraded,” Jordan said.
Rewiring the school, replacing equipment and installing the required cabling equipment to enable wireless internet services could cost about $521,000.
District officials and board members also discussed student performance at various assessment tests.
In spring 2008, BGHS juniors registered an average score of 19.8 on the ACT, above the state average of 18.3 for all juniors.
College-bound juniors at BGHS had an average ACT score of 22, exceeding the national average of 21.1.
Also in 2008, 268 students took Advanced Placement tests in various subjects, representing 26 percent of the enrollment at BGHS.
Jennifer Davis, director of elementary and secondary programs for the district, said that among the noteworthy numbers was the fact that 20 out of 22 students who took the AP psychology test received a passing score in the first year BGHS offered the class.
