No action could be taken due to a lack of quorum at the Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School board meeting in late March, but Amanda Johnson provided her monthly executive director’s report.
Johnson opened her report by informing the board two-part time employees were added to the cafeteria staff.
“We’re excited to share that we are officially making lunch on campus,” she said.
Johnson said she is making sure the whole kitchen staff is certified with all the correct certifications to receive all possible federal funding.
“Everything is on track to make sure that we are receiving that reimbursement starting in July,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the students seem happy with the changes in the cafeteria.
As of the March board meeting, Johnson said 144 students were enrolled at the school.
“We’ve added first grade scholars,” Johnson said. “As you know, first grade has been under enrolled.”
There were 38 first graders in February, but the amount increased to 41 as of March.
Johnson said some students switched schools, while others moved into town.
The goal is to enroll 150 students for the current academic year. The school currently has kindergarteners through second graders.
“We’re only under enrolled by six at the moment,” Johnson said. “Again, not a huge impact.”
Johnson said the school’s attendance rate is at 95 percent for the year.
The fiscal year for Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School begins Oct. 1.
Since Oct. 1, 2018, Johnson said the retention rate is at 94.33 percent. Eight students have transferred to other schools. Three returned to their local school district, while five moved out of the region or state.
Johnson specifically said one first grader moved to Missouri.
There have been three students suspended during the school year.
“Our suspensions still remain low,” Johnson said.
There have been two registration nights for the 2019-20 school year. The school will enroll kindergarteners through third graders next year.
Fifty kindergarteners submitted lottery applications for next year, 40 were accepted and 24 have registered. Thirty-seven potential new first graders submitted lottery applications for next year, 36 were accepted and 24 registered. Thirteen potential new second graders submitted lottery applications and 10 were accepted. Twelve potential new third graders submitted lottery applications and 10 were accepted.
Johnson said more students would be accepted if there is room.
Board member Chuck Rutledge is working with the school to help make the necessary upgrades to its facility at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church to fit the increased number of students expected in 2019-20.
“We’re working with him to make sure we have maximum space for next year,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the school now has open houses from 9 to 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month. She noted open houses were originally intended to recruit teachers and prospective families, but they turned into something more.
“There are a lot of people who are curious about the school, but haven’t had the opportunity to visit,” Johnson said.
The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress assessment scores went up in the winter. Twenty-four percent of kindergarteners were in the top tier for reading, which was an 11 percent increase and 18 percent of second graders were in the top tier for an increase of five percent. Fifteen percent of first graders were in the top tier for a decrease of two percent.
Twenty-two percent of kindergarteners were in the top tier of the NEWA MAP assessment scores in the winter for reading, which was a nine percent increase from the fall. First and second graders remained at 10 and six percent respectively.
“We’re excited about where we stand,” Johnson said. “We’re always going to be pushing the bar to get higher.”
