ADAMS TOWNSHIP — Two of the “Top 10 Thoughts” from the results in a community survey about Clinton-Massie schools are a recommendation to focus on keeping the finest educators, as well as a need to improve communication from the top down.
The online Thought Exchange survey is part of a process to create a strategic plan for the school district. The Thought Exchange system allows participants to anonymously enter feedback and also react to what others are saying.
First on the results list of “Top 10 Thoughts” is the advice to “keep focus on quality education,” Superintendent Matt Baker said during Monday night’s board of education meeting.
The second thought on the list asks why there isn’t a counselor for middle school. One survey respondent stated middle school is tough enough and these children need resources.
Baker said administrators are concerned about the lack of a middle school counselor. The superintendent went on to “admit” that his original plan regarding middle school counseling “did not come to fruition,” saying they weren’t able to put in place the attributes that made up the plan.
In the next couple weeks, though, the district will look at some sort of counseling at the middle school, Baker said.
Fifth among survey participants’ top thoughts is that the school board needs to question district spending more.
Sixth is it seems that when upper administration finds an idea, it is implemented without planning or follow-through. “Staff feedback is important,” one survey-taker stated.
Seventh is an appreciation of the options of agriculture and shop class in high school.
Eighth: There should be more guidance as to which electives and courses students should take advantage of as they advance into high school. Young students may not be clear in their own minds as to what the focus of a course is and how that would benefit them, according to a survey respondent.
Ninth: It would be useful for students to have the chance to explore their interests through elective courses, gifted offerings, honors classes, and tech programs. A survey comment along those lines is that students need a variety of experiences if we are to expect them to plan for the future.
And 10th is that teachers, secretaries, and staff such as custodians are the backbone of Clinton-Massie, providing consistency and continuity for the students and operations of the district in light of significant administrative turnover.
In a senior leadership presentation at the board session, Special Education Director Betsy Muterspaw introduced four students who are taking part in work experiences in the community at the World Equestrian Center and at the 73 Grill. Work in the community for students with developmental challenges has occurred at C-M in the past, but not the past couple years, she said.
If possible, Muterspaw would like to add a couple more work sites in January. Interested employers can contact her and she will look into the feasibility.
Baker announced that Clinton-Massie’s K-5 Gifted Intervention Specialist Jen Molitor has published a book titled “The Happy Teachers Handbook”.
Starting in January, school district nurse Cindy Stenger will increase the time she spends in her complementary role as the wellness coordinator. That will enable her to give more time on grants research. When she does wellness coordinator duties, a substitute nurse will cover the clinic, said Baker.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
