Administrators gave their reports at the May meeting of the Canton Board of Education. Superintendent of Schools Matt Gordon said that students had finished with the PSSA assessments but the High School students are taking the Keystone Assessments. He said the tests are "more rigorous" this year, because of implementation of the Common Core standards. He commended the staff for their efforts and "positive attitude" and remarked, "our students were best prepared to take the tests than ever."
The Northern Tier Career Center Students have taken the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) tests. Mr. Gordon said 12 of the 13 students who took the test scored "proficient or advanced" and two Agriculture Students also attained those levels.
He reported that six building construction students would be assembling a prefabricated modular cabin. NTCC held an Open House.
Canton's Jason Parente, and NTCC student, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and many Canton students earned awards at the NTCC.
Mr. Gordon discussed Governor Wolf's proposed education budget, which promises an additional $93,109 to the district. This money can be awarded if the district applies for a grant in that amount.
The district has the usual amount of end-of-the-year awards, trips, programs and concerts.
Ten to twelve years ago, Chris Bigger CHS principal at that time, obtain laptops for the school under a "Classrooms of the Future" grant. The machines no longer can be logged in rapidly, so the district is looking to acquire Chrome Books" as replacements. They can log in in about five seconds. They will supplement the iPads in the primary grades. Mr. Gordon said the district was "grateful to have a benefactor, Rodney & Vicki Mott, who have donated computer carts for the high school.
On the legislative front, Mr. Gordon said Senate Bill 1, pension reform rolls back the multiplier for current employees from 2.5 to 2.0, but does not affect retired employees. The House has passed property tax reform, reducing the real estate tax but increasing the sales tax and income tax. Rep. Everett of Lycoming County has promised to have a budget on the Governor's desk by June 30. Mr. Everett said that the legislature has no willingness to loosen up clearance restrictions for background checks.
The school assessment formula may soon include provision for school safety, which should benefit the rural districts.
As to the district budget, Mr. Gordon said a reduction in Title I staff has been considered, but because of an $8,000 increase in the allocation, as well as a retirement, the position will continue.
The Title Reading Specialist who is retiring will be replaced with a certified reading specialist. Plans are going forward to reduce the Kindergarten staff to three teachers. With a registration of 52 in next year' kindergarten this will mean a class size of seventeen. Three classroom aides will be employed in the mornings, one per class room.
A fifth grade teacher will be hired to replace one who shifts to the Title program.
Director William Holland commented 'There is a good chance the Property Tax Reform bill will be killed." He asked residents to contact Rep. Baker and Rep. Pickett and urge them to support it. Mr. Gordon said that both of those legislators voted "no." Business Manager Mark Jannone said that Mr. Holland "is on the right track." He added that the Homestead/Farmstead exemption funds were received as normal.
Elementary Principal John Rimmer said twenty-one students who were top fundraisers in the PTA Spring sale earned a free "limo lunch" from the PTA at Kelley's Creek Side Restaurant.
Students from Head Start, Miss Linda's and Stepping Stones visited the school so the incoming Kindergarteners will be better acclimated.
Special Olympics was held in Athens on May 7.
The Instrumental Concerts was May 11 and the Choral concert May 19. Memorial Day will be observed May 25. May 27 will be the Gifted Open House June 1 will be field Day, June 3 in Sixth Grade promotion, June 4 will be the elementary awards assembly and June 5 the last day of school.
Enrollment is 523, down three since last month and down twelve since the beginning of the year.
High School Principal Craig Coleman reported that fifty-eight seniors will graduate from Canton High School "three weeks from tomorrow." He said Eighth Grade Oral History Night "was very well received. The students did a good job."
Over seven hundred people attended the instrumental concert.
Keystone exams in Algebra and Biology will be given next week.
Ten athletes will be at the district track meet in Athens and "there is a good chance [some of them] will qualify for states," he said.
Special Education Supervisor Dan Coran reported that there will be twenty-two elementary and twenty high school schools participating in the Gifted Open House in May 27 from 6 to 8 in the Theaterette. The topic will center on Famous People who have Influenced Lives.
Mr. Coran said that "two years ago Mrs. Stroup and paraprofessional began the school-to-work program, discontinuing the program with CopperTree. Mr. Coran said, "This was a great idea and has resulted in significant savings to the district." Twelve businesses are involved. Paraprofessional Helen Kilbourn gave a PowerPoint presentation on the school-to-work program. (see article next week).
Business Manager Mark Jannone said that some paving will be done at the Elementary School toward the end of June.
The district budget will show a deficit of some $565,000 but there are plans to refinance the 2010 bond in July or August (after the five-year no-call period is over). This is projected to save over $120,000. The final budget will be approved at the June meeting. "This is a "no tax increase budget," he said.
Shawna Lee, Food Service Director for The Nutrition Group, reported the District will receive the guaranteed payment as promised by the Nutrition Group. She said that the end of the year features many banquets and events, including bag lunches for trips, the all sports banquet the Alumni Banquet, pizza parties. etc.
Director Eric Anderson commented that the band concert was "very good."
Mr. Gordon indicated Canton had a "willingness to drop the Access program," something under consideration in many districts.
Mr. Herman said Canton "was blessed to have so many kids participating in sports. " He tanked the coaches, students and parents.