School year about wrapped up

With its last meeting of the academic year, the Wrangell Public School Board looked back on its progress as measured against its 2015-16 strategic plan goals.

The plan started to develop in February 2015, with faculty and members of the community collaborating on ways to improve students' experience in four primary areas: academic achievement, technical education, safety and facilities improvements, and technology.

"Everyone had a hand in the final product," school superintendent Patrick Mayer said.

Based on the recommendations given, goals for improvement over the coming five years were identified and set to a working timeline.

In the realm of academic achievement and education, the school instituted weekly district wide training for staff, while continuing to develop community partnerships such as the one with University of Alaska Southeast. A technical preparation program office was set up at the high school's campus late last year, allowing the UAS program coordinator to work more closely with students looking to earn extra credit for college and partake in on-the-job coursework.

For school safety, Mayer pointed to efforts to recalibrate the schools' crisis plan, based on recommendations from parents and local law enforcement. The plan adopted for this year has been updated, with greater focus given to addressing concerns about live shooter threats.

The most noticeable changes have been with the school's technological goals, which the district's technology coordinator Matt Gore walked board members through. The school district has upgraded its facilities internet connectivity and has been building capacity for greater integration of technology with the classroom. Programs used by faculty have also been streamlined, making greater use of Google applications and cloud computing.

High school principal Kendall Benson explained the school system's website has correspondingly been revamped to compliment these changes. And with tablets and computers at every student's fingertips, Gore explained they are learning essential skills for future workplaces.

The Alaska Measurement of Progress test was scrapped this year before its second implementation, after widespread dissatisfaction in the examination was expressed by school districts and academic associations across the state. Mayer noted the United States Department of Education has subsequently questioned the state's actions, which may have effects on federal resources in the future.

The school board approved one grant award, the FY'16 APEI Safety Equipment and Training Grant Award. It also approved applying for a FY'17 Migrant Education Literacy Grant, a First Bank Community Development Grant and a Wells Fargo Grant.

Under persons to be heard, one parent expressed his unhappiness with the high school's "graphic" instruction for this year's sexual education program. To bring the point home, photographs of a phallic model used to demonstrate how a condom is properly applied were distributed to board members. The parent explained his daughter had come home in tears after the class.

In past years, Wrangell's reproductive curriculum has primarily focused on character values and health risks, with an emphasis on abstinence. This year for an additional perspective, an itinerant nurse with Public Health was invited to provide additional information on contraceptive use as part of the health presentation.

"My concern is that it's one thing to present information, but when it comes to demonstration, as a parent, I'd like to know," the parent said at Monday's meeting. Letters had been sent out by the school beforehand informing guardians about the upcoming course, arriving to post office a few days in advance.

The parent acknowledged that, on the one hand, he had received notification of a sex-ed class in the offing. However, he felt the particulars of the curriculum could have been better identified for parents.

"I just really feel the system let me down this time," he commented.

Still under persons to be heard, another parent stepped up to the lectern to express her support for the course.

"I feel that this information was a good compliment to the abstinence-only curriculum that students have been receiving since middle school," she said.

Students had been introduced to the Public Health Office and the services it provided, she continued, in addition to getting a more thorough review of reproductive health. She went on to express her hope that a comprehensive sex-ed class would continue to be offered in years to come.

In other matters, speaking for the secondary school parent advisory committee, Diane O'Brien suggested the board look into instituting a foreign language requirement for graduation from high school, as is encouraged by a number of colleges and universities. She also expressed interest in having the school hold a live lockdown drill in the near future, as well as an earthquake preparedness drill.

On behalf of the committee, O'Brien tearfully extended thanks to outgoing teacher Michele Galla for her years of service. A teacher with Wrangell Public Schools since 1993, Galla will be headed to Chicago to continue her education. After O'Brien's remarks, board president Susan Eagle presented Galla with a bouquet of flowers and the board's thanks.

Mayer and the board also expressed its appreciation to Benson, who will be headed back to Utah after the school year ends.

"I would like to say how much I have appreciated Mr. Benson's experience and wisdom during this past school year. Kendall came to us with many years of experience and a superior track record as a secondary administrator," Mayer commented.

A new secondary principal for next year has been selected, Bill Schwan of Dillingham. Schwan briefly visited the community late last month, and will return in July. Since 2012 he has been the principal of Dillingham Middle and High School, serving before that as a high school principal in Powell, Wyo.