Marion School Board Meeting
MSD Central Office Board Room
6:00 p.m.
It is the mission of the Marion School
District to provide our students with a
program of instruction so that they will
acquire the academic, social, and decisionmaking skills needed to become productive
citizens in our rapidly changing
technological world.
We recognize individual differences in
students and believe that all children can
learn. We strive to meet their needs and
interests by offering a balanced curriculum
and creating an atmosphere conducive to
learning.
President
Mr. A. Jan Thomas, Jr.
Vice-President
Mr. Steve A. Sutton
Secretary
Rev. Jeffrey Richardson
Mr. Wm. Bart Turner
Ms. Darrylee Arms
Mr. Brian Proffitt
Mr. Daryel Jackson
Superintendent
Mr. Don Johnston
Deputy Superintendent
Mr. Jeff Altemus
Director of Elementary Education K-5
Dr. Robin A. Catt
Director of Secondary Education 6-12
Mr. Hugh Inman
Federal Programs
Ms. Julie Coveny
Academic
Programs
Staff
Special Education
Ms. Susan Shurley
Ms. Helen Johnson
Technology Coordinator
Mr. Tim Taylor
Technology Trainer
Ms. Ruth Hegwood
Maintenance & Custodial Services
Mr. Dusty Duncan
Athlete Director
Mr. Paul Johnston
MSD
Support
Staff
Food Services
Ms. Susan Madison
Transportation
Mr. Doyle Jones
Health Services
Ms. Kelly Fogleman
 MHS
1 Performing Arts Center
Manager and Drama Teacher
 MJHS 1 Special Education Paraprofessional
2015-2016 Adding Areas
of Licensure:
 7 Special Education
Teachers
 2 Social Studies
 1 Math
 1 Computer Science
 1 Science
 1 Gifted and Talented
 1 Business
2015-2016
All core content teachers
are highly qualified.
In accordance with Act 1775 of 2005, all members of a local
school board of directors who have served on the board for
twelve (12) or more consecutive months shall obtain no
less than six hours of training and instruction by
December 31 of each calendar year.
All MSD board members received last
year’s required annual training by
December, 2014, and will have completed
this year’s required hours by December 31,
2015.
• Marion School District provided approximately
772 hours of professional development between
June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015.
• Teachers were able to earn at least 42 hours of the
required 60 hours before school began.
• Our Instructional District Technology Trainer
offers our staff technology professional
development throughout the year: New Teacher
Orientation, i-Pad Apps, Tips and Tricks for the
SmartBoard, Interactive Websites, Websites for
CCSS Lessons, TAC/HAC, STEM Resources,
Bloomboard Review, Upgrading MSD Website,
etc.
Schools
 Avondale Elementary
 Marion Elementary
 Marion Intermediate
 Marion Middle
 Marion Jr. High
 Marion High &
Crittenden Prep
Academy
15-16
 4072 students K-12
 304.5 Certified
Teachers &
Administrators
 199 Classified
Employees
Miles Traveled in 14-15: (41 Bus Routes)
 351,728 miles for regular daily routes
 49,800 miles for trips
Meals Served in 14-15:
660,744 meals served to students

8,340 meals served to adults
 37,248 meals contracted and served

 NCLB of 2001: Mandatory Annual Exams of Literacy
and Math, such as Benchmark and End-of-Course
 By 2009, governors and education commissioners from
48 states, two territories and District of Columbia
recognized the need for greater consistency between
states’ standards and assessments and began the
process of developing the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS).
 The CCSS for the state of Arkansas were adopted by
the Arkansas State Board of Education on July 12, 2010.
The implementation of the standards were phased in
over a three year period.
 Full implementation of CCSS was carried out during
the 2013-14 school year.
 As CCSS were being implemented, students were
being assessed on the AR Benchmark Assessment,
which measured performance based on the prior
standards, in part because there was not yet an
assessment that measured performance on the new
standards.
 Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Careers (PARCC) was awarded one of two
contracts to develop an assessment to measure student
achievement of the CCSS.
 Arkansas students were scheduled to take PARCC for the
first time during the 2014-15 school year. Right before
testing time, however, a bill was filed, (HB1241) in
Arkansas’ State Senate to delay the PARCC Assessment
until 2017-18 school year.
 Instead, modifications were made, allowing PARCC to be
administered during the 2014-15 school year, limiting the
state from entering into any future contract with PARCC for
more than one year . June 30th, 2015, PARCC contract
ended.
 We will get PARCC test scores sometime in November.
 2015- 16: Our students will take the ACT Aspire (3-10); ACT
(Grade 11)
 2015-16 will be the 3rd consecutive year where students
are assessed on a different test.
 The frequent switch of state test selections minimizes
the effective data on Arkansas students due to the lack
of consistency on the content being assessed and how
these skills are being measured.
 Lack of consistent data can make it difficult for
teachers to intervene with students who are struggling
academically because schools will not know how to
effectively interpret the results to identify students’
academic needs.
Total Students Tested
Percent at Level 4 and
Above
Algebra 1
34,433
28%
Geometry
32,611
21%
ELA Grade 9
35,325
36%
ELA Grade 10
33,529
37%
Principal
Mrs. Glenda Bryan
Assistant Principal
Mrs. Kristi Rice
Grade Levels
 Kindergarten
 First
Enrollment
 610 Students K-1
 46.5 Certified
Teachers &
Administrators
 Status: Accredited by ADE
 All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core
content areas.
 No teachers at AES are currently working
under an Additional Licensure Program
 Accountability Designation: Needs
Improvement in both Literacy and Math
(AES receives designation from MES.)
2015-16 Faculty and Staff
 Continued Implementation of
Common Core State Standards
*Scott-Foresman Reading Street
*SRA DISTAR
*McGraw-Hill My Math
*All are researched based programs aligned to CCSS
 Promote the vision at AES that ALL
students can be successful learners and
can strive for excellence.
 Continue professional learning communities
that embrace learning rather than teaching,
work collaboratively to help all students learn,
and use data from formative and summative
assessments to make decisions concerning
curriculum and instruction.
 Continue to use positive reinforcement strategies and
implement behavior interventions to reduce inappropriate
behavior in the classroom. Our staff professional growth
plan is centered around classroom behavior management
and establishing routines and procedures.
(PBIS, Canter, McLeod, Dr. Joe Martin, Stephen Covey)
 All staff members at Avondale Elementary School are
being trained this year in how to implement the seven
habits from The Leader in Me with our students.
Provide Response to Intervention
(RtI) to small groups of students in
need of help academically and/or
behaviorally. This provides us a
way to monitor the progress of the
students who need extra help in
order to be successful learners.
 Use the Teacher Excellence Support System
(TESS) to support high yield teaching strategies
and authentic student engagement in learning.
 Continue with guided reading in the literacy
curriculum for both kindergarten and first grade
 Continue to promote parental and community
involvement through our HEART Committee
(Helping Educate And Reach (kids) Together), Watch
D.O.G.S. and Magnificent M.O.M.S. programs.
Parent Night
Watch Dog Dad
Magnificent Mom
 Use communication tools such as Newsletters,
Calendars, notes, and School Messenger to provide a
consistent, clear understanding of what students are
expected to learn, so parents know what they need to
do to help their children be successful in school.
 Continue use of technology resources to enhance
student learning (SmartBoards, SmartTable, iPads,
iPods, and Netbooks)
 Continue use of HeadSprout, Education City, Starfall,
Reading Eggs, Moby Max, and Accelerated Reader
software
 Implement the use of iPads in the classrooms to
enhance student learning.
*With the purchase of 150 iPads with Title I funds this year, our goal
of having an iPad for every student is a reality. Many of our teachers
have secured additional devices through grants by Donors Choose.
We have
really cool
stuff going
on!
Grade Levels
Principal
Ms. Natalie Rooney
 Second
 Third
Enrollment
Assistant Principal
Dr. Susan Newsom
 653 Students 2-3
 46 Certified
Teachers &
Administrators
 Status: Accredited by ADE
 All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core content
areas.
 One (1) teacher is currently working under
an Additional Licensure Program
 Accountability Designation: Needs
Improvement School in both Literacy and
Math
 Laying the ground work: Creating a safe, fun, and engaging academic
environment:
 The Leader in Me: A three year plan
 MES staff is in the process of completing a book share and
implementing techniques that allow students to have leadership roles
in the classroom.
 PGP plans: Introducing students to the 7 habits: Please review our MES
Messenger.
 Each classroom has 4 houses. Each house represents a family. Students
work together to earn house points.
 1) Wisdom
 2)Compassion
 3) Integrity
 4) Friendship
MES Proposals (Continued)
 Parental involvement through our PEACE Volunteer Program
(Parents Experiencing Awesome Children Everyday) and Watch
D.O.G.S. program.
 Use effective strategies for working with parents by sending
home weekly folders with activities to increase vocabulary and
enhance reading comprehension skills, allowing parents and
students to work together. This includes multiple on-line
resources for parents.
 Leadership Team
 Leadership meetings: Second and third grade PLC
leaders, instructional facilitators, and administrators
come together to plan the direction and focus of MES.
 Data meetings: For 8o minutes our instructional
facilitators work with teachers to review assessment
scores and strategies to increase student success.
 Professional Learning Community
 Teachers come together in small groups to plan lessons,
review activities, and discuss best practices.
Programs for all students:
 New Writing Program: Lucy Calkins Units of Study
In addition, in our computer lab, students continue
to work on learning.com. This program instills
proper keyboarding skills and allows students to
write open responses.
Reading and Language arts: We
continue to implement the CCSS in
literacy, using six units to teach the
learning expectations. Accelerated
Reader Program- MES students
earn points for reading books. They
are celebrated and recognized every 9
weeks for their individual growth and
ability to meet their goals
 Math: Mymath curriculum, Mountain math,
Reflex math, CGI (Cognitively Guided
Instruction) mathematical approach. CGI
allows students to construct strategies for
themselves when given a word problem.
 Science Program: Our science lab provides
students with hands on experiences through
transitional and virtual labs
Programs for students who need extra support
 Failure Free Reading Program- Students are tested at the
beginning of the year. If they qualify, they will receive small
group reading sessions focusing on fluency, vocabulary and
comprehension. Students who received failure free services last
year tested at or above grade level in reading this year.
 Bookmark Club - BMC is our morning reading club. It is available
to 3rd grade students who need extra support in Literacy Skills:
phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary
and/or fluency. Students work in small groups of 4-8 to
strengthen their skills.
 Response to Intervention - teachers work in groups of 3 or less on
a specific skill. They monitor their progress to identify growth
and have discussions on best practices to assist the child.
Principal
Ms. Julie Molloy
Assistant Principal
Ms. Debbie Reginelli
Grade Levels
 Fourth
 Fifth
Enrollment
 598 Students 4-5
 41 Certified
Teachers &
Administrators
 Status: Accredited by ADE
 All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core
content areas.
 Four (4) teachers are currently working
under an Additional Licensure Program
 Accountability Designation: Overall
designation is Needs Improvement School
in both Literacy and Math
 On-line TLI (The Learning Institute)
testing this year in preparation for the
ACT Aspire assessment.
 PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions
and Supports) program …
…The Patriot Way
 The Learning Lab
 New stationary computer lab to implement RTI services to each
classroom everyday to work with selected students on
problematic skills and at their own pace.
 Increased use of technology in day to day
learning.
 2 computer labs; 3-4 student computers in each classroom; 8
portable carts of laptops; 40 i-pads in media center; and every
teacher has an i-pad for student learning use for a total of
more than 340 devices.
 Investigate STEM programs for implementation
 All MIS science teachers will attend either the
state conference or the national Science
conference s.
 Providing PLC time for science teachers to plan
the implementation of the new science
standards for 2016.
 ECM Math – 75% of our math teachers are now
involved in this program.
 ECM Math methods work is scheduled for
consistent practice.
 Revamping schedules of Instructional Assistants
 Their schedules have them doing AR daily in the same
classes for consistent AR assistance.
 One assigned to the Learning Lab assisting with RTI.
 They assist teachers with special classroom activities when 2
sets of hands are needed.
 They step in to allow teachers to attend PLC meetings by
covering their classrooms.
Principal
Ms. Carissa J. Lacy Grade Levels
 Sixth
 Seventh
Assistant Principal
Mr. Adam O’Neal Enrollment
Assistant Principal
Mr. Blake Owen
 632 Students 6-7
 43 Certified Teachers
& Administrators
 Status: Accredited by ADE
 All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core
content areas.
 Three (3) teachers at MMS are currently
working under an Additional Licensure
Program
 Accountability Designation: Overall
designation is Needs Improvement School
in both Literacy and Math
•
Campus Leadership Team which is comprised of two
representatives from each content and auxiliary area
meet twice each month to discuss areas of
improvement for the school.
•
Professional Learning Communities meet weekly to
discuss instructional strategies and analyze student
data to increase the achievement of all students.
•
Administrators have increased classroom observations
resulting in teachers being provided more substantive
feedback for continuous improvement.
Improved Instruction
Happy Staff with Buy-In
Parental
Involvement
Student Involvement
and School Spirit
 With the 15 iPads, 60 Laptop carts in the Math
Department , and 132 in the English/Language
Department, students are researching and completing
numerous projects.
 Social Studies- Travel Brochure on Northern-Southern
Europe.
 Math- Mathletics
 Science- Research and design of a lesson using
Constructivism and the 5 learning cycle stages.
 English- Interactive Grammar Book
Book Talks /Student grammar projects
 Increased alignment between Math and
Enrichment classes.
 Increased student engagement.
 Recipient of Exxon Mobil Science Grant
 Beneficiaries of Professional Development through
AETN/PBS Digital Innovator Award.
 Science-Ms. Gunn’s
Celebrate Freedom Week
 Remind Codes
 PTA
 Volunteers
 Content Nights
 Literacy Night/Book
Fair
 November 10, 2015
 Dudes and Dolls Dance
 Student Council
 Student Ambassadors
 Athletics (Football, Volleyball, Basketball, and Cross
Country)
 Band
 Choir
 Newspaper Staff
Fall Pep Rally
Marion Middle School,
where we are learning
today, to be a leader
tomorrow.
Principal
Mr. Elmer West
Grade Levels
 Eighth
 Ninth
Assistant Principal
Mr. Willie Rogers
Enrollment
 667 Students 8-9
Dean of Students
Mr. Mark Uhiren
 50 Certified Teachers
& Administrators
Status: Accredited by ADE
All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core
content areas.
One (1) teacher is currently working
under an Additional Licensure Program
Accountability Designation: Overall
designation is Achieving School in both
Literacy and Math
 All students will take part in an intensive tutorial
in Literacy and Math during the instructional
activity period.
 Students at MJHS participate in Marzano’s
Academic Vocabulary program. All faculty
members have been trained in the Academic
Vocabulary method that helps raise reading
comprehension and achievement in various
subject areas.
 Teachers are actively researching the ACT Aspire
question methods to prepare students for the new
assessment.
 Students who are not in a Literacy or Math
tutorial or a Visual Art 8 rotation class during the
Instructional Activity period are required to read
or complete assignments and projects in order to
support the overall academic program.
Principal
Mr. Lincoln Daniels
Grade Levels
 Tenth
 Eleventh
Assistant Principals
Mr. Jim Marotti
Mr. Clint Williams
Ms. Connie Simpson
Dean of Students
Mr. Irving Clay
 Twelfth
 Crittenden Prep
Academy
Enrollment
 913 Students 10-12
 68 Certified Teachers
& Administrators
 Status: Accredited by ADE
 All 2015-16 teachers are licensed. All
teachers are highly qualified in core
content areas.
 Five (5) teachers are currently working
under an Additional Licensure Program
 Accountability Designation: Needs
Improvement Focus School in both
Literacy and Math; Achieving in 2013
Graduation Rate
 We are continuing the strategies that yielded
significant growth in recent years.
 A seminar period is used to target students with
academic needs that are unable to participate in
after-school activities.
 We are meeting once monthly in our PLC’s to
strengthen teaching strategies to reach all
students to strengthen literacy, science, and
math skills.
• Essentials of Computer Science (Act 178) 20 students
• Pre AP Classes – English, Biology, Chemistry, World
History, Algebra II – 300 students enrolled in 519
classes
• AP – Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science,
Calculus, Statistics, Music Theory, US History,
Government, World History, Psychology, Studio Art,
English Language, English Literature – 226 students
enrolled in 352 classes
 MSCC (Gen Ed) 132 students
 MSCC (Technical) 93 students
 Fine Arts – Band, Choir, Art, Theatre, Music App – 609
students
 Vocational – Med Pro, FACS, Business, Construction 863 students
 Athletics – Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Cross
Country, Track, Golf, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Soccer,
Cheer – 271 students
Principal
Mr. Lincoln Daniels

Director
Mr. Clint Williams
Teachers
5 full time
2 teachers float in for one
period from regular high
school
3 paraprofessionals

Currently serving 55
students
from MSD
Graduated 12 seniors in the
2014-2015 school year
 K-3 Enrichment (Ms. Leah Schmidt)
 4th - 5th Self-Contained with Cluster Grouping
 6th - 7th Pre-AP: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies
 8th Pre-AP: English, Social Studies, Science, and Algebra I
 9th Pre-AP: English, Physical Science, Civics/Economics, and
Geometry
 10th Pre-AP: English, World History, Biology, and Algebra II
 11th and 12th Pre- AP and AP: Pre-AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB,
AP English Language, AP English Literature , AP United States
History, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP United
States Government, AP World History, AP Psychology, AP
Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Music Theory, and AP Studio Art.
 Avondale Elementary, Marion Elementary, and
Marion Intermediate are Title I school- wide
schools that use federal Title I funds to pay for
additional instructional staff and supplies.
 Marion High School also receives federal Title I
funds as a Title I Targeted Assisted school.
 Title I funds are federal funds that cannot be
used to pay for anything required by state or local
laws.
 MSD’s Title I allocation for the
2015-16 school year: $1,134,531.47.
 Students are served based on academic
need, not income levels. If a school has
at least 40% of its students qualifying for
the National School Lunch Program and
has a plan to serve all students, it can
become a Title I School-wide school that
can serve all students at that school.
 There are 3 ABC preschool classrooms on the Avondale
Elementary School campus governed by the Crowley’s
Ridge Educational Cooperative Services in Harrisburg,
AR.
 The ABC Preschool program is funded to serve 3
classrooms with 20 students each.
 The ABC Preschool program employs 1 certified teacher
and 1 paraprofessional for each ABC preschool
classroom.
 Mr. John Manning and Ms. Sharon Coburn from CRESC
are in charge of the ABC Program on the AES campus.
 Title II-A targets professional development for
teachers and administrators.
 The district’s Title II-A Teacher Quality program
allocation this year is $176,624.96.
 Title II-A funds are used to pay ½ of the salary
of our Instructional Technology Facilitator to
assist teachers with curriculum and technology.
 Heart Beats:
Avondale Elementary
Parent centers are on
each campus.
 Watch D.O.G.S.:
Marion Elementary
Avondale Elementary
 P.E.A.C.E.: Parents Experiencing Awesome Children Everyday
Marion Elementary
 Career Action Planning:
Marion Middle School
Marion Jr. High School
Marion High School
 Parents are encouraged to participate in
school activities and in the review and design
of school improvement plans.
 Comments and suggestions are encouraged
and may be submitted to the building
principal or to:
PARENT COORDINATOR:
Ms. Julie Coveny
Marion School District
200 Manor Street
Marion, AR 72364
• The Marion School District does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
 Equity complaints may begin with the district's
equity coordinators:
EQUITY COORDINATORS:
Dr. Robin A. Catt (K-5)
Mr. Hugh Inman (6-12)
Marion School District
Marion School District
200 Manor Street
200 Manor Street
Marion , AR 72364
Marion, AR 72364
 In conclusion, we would like to thank the entire
staff – bus drivers, substitutes, custodians, food
services staff, maintenance crew, technology crew,
secretaries, paraprofessionals, teachers, media
specialists, counselors, instructional facilitators,
and administrators – of the Marion School District
for their dedication and continuous effort to make
our schools safe and nurturing learning
environments for our students.
 In addition, we would also like to thank our school
board for your continuous support.