New reading curriculum approved

BY DAVID SWANSON
JOURNAL-DEMOCRAT

The SRA Reading Mastery Signature Series was approved Monday, April 21, by the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Board of Education.

A reading committee of S-D-A teachers and Elementary Principal Roxy Voorhees selected the series as the district’s new reading curriculum. The committee recommended the curriculum, which uses direct instruction and scripted lessons. Language and spelling are incorporated as part of the program.

Committee members made a presentation to the board on their goals and what they looked for in a new reading series. The committee has worked on the process for two years.

More information on the reading committee and the curriculum will be in an upcoming Syracuse Journal-Democrat.

The board also heard a presentation by S-D-A pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers. The board and administrators were asked to keep in mind the importance of early childhood programs.

The preschool and kindergarten teachers are committed to making each child more successful. The teachers want to provide pre-kindergarten for all eligible children because it will help the children be more successful in kindergarten.

Preschool tuition for 2008-09 will remain at $100 per student. There will be a 50 percent reduced cost for families with multiple children in pre-kindergarten. There are reduced rates for families who qualify for free and reduced price lunches.

The fee for summer credit recovery courses will remain at $100 per course. The summer credit recovery courses are for students who fail courses during the regular school year.

A resolution was approved regarding core services through Educational Service Unit (ESU) No. 4 for 2008-09. The services involve mainly technology and staff development.

Adam Kreklo was employed as a part-time physical education instructor. He will teach three periods daily. He student taught at S-D-A. Mark Hrabik, physical education instructor, will assume athletic director duties in 2008-09.

A $79,728 special education contract with ESU 4 was approved.

A $17,784 bid from Weathercraft was approved for roof repair at the Syracuse elementary building. The project will be at the roof at the link between the annex and the elementary building. There is a 15-year warranty.

Superintendent Brad Buller reviewed legislative issues. One bill completely changed the distribution and calculation of state aid to school districts. S-D-A officials came out a winner and will receive a $230,000 increase in state aid. New state assessments were approved. The new system will be phased in and the existing system phased out. Students in more grades will be tested.