Whitley County principals present goals for improvement at board meeting – Times Tribune of Corbin

WHITLEY COUNTY — At Tuesday’s Whitley County Board of Education meeting, principals presented detailed updates on their schools’ progress, current standings, and goals for improvement. Each highlighted the achievements and challenges in academic performance, school climate, and addressing achievement gaps.

Whitley East Elementary Principal Mike Partin shared that reading proficiency is targeted to increase from 60% to 68%, with math scores set to rise from 58% to 65% by 2025. Small-group instruction, tools like Study Island and IXL, and Title I programs are key strategies.

“It’s all about putting the right tools in the right hands to build confidence and success,” said Partin.

Science proficiency aims for significant growth, with combined writing scores targeted to improve from 32% to 50%.

At Whitley Central Primary, Principal Brandon Anderson emphasized foundational skill-building in early grades. Reading scores are set to improve to 72% and math to 68% by 2026. Intervention programs, Wordly Wise Vocabulary, and Title I services are being used to meet these benchmarks.

“We’re strengthening those early foundations so that students are ready for the next step and beyond,” Anderson said.

Writing proficiency is expected to grow to 75%, with staff working closely to design targeted instruction.

Boston Elementary Principal Jordan McCumbers focused on raising reading and math proficiency for economically disadvantaged students. Goals include increasing reading from 65% to 69% and math from 62% to 66% by 2025. Boston is also working to improve combined science and writing proficiency, aiming for an increase from 53% to 60%.

“We’re laser-focused on identifying the gaps and filling them with meaningful instruction,” McCumbers said.

At Pleasant View Elementary, Principal Randy Love shared the school’s current success with a 92 overall rating — including high marks in reading and math. The focus will be on maintaining these scores while increasing achievement for specific groups, such as female students in math and students with disabilities.

“Our students, teachers, and families have built a culture of excellence together, and we’re proud of where we are,” Love said.

Oak Grove Elementary Principal Gina Wilson outlined plans to increase reading proficiency from 54% to 64% and math scores from 44% to 54% by 2027. Science scores are targeted to rise from 52% to 62%, with writing proficiency goals set to climb from 57% to 67%.

“Our goal is to ensure every child feels supported and has the tools to succeed academically,” Wilson said.

Whitley County Intermediate Principal Heather Roaden highlighted plans to increase reading scores from 85.9 to 89.5 and math from 78.6 to 82 by 2026. Achievement gap goals focus on economically disadvantaged students, with science scores targeted to improve from 77.6 to 82 and writing from 84.5 to 90.

“We’re pushing hard to align instruction with data and make sure students are growing consistently,” Roaden said.

Whitley County Middle School Principal Amanda Croley reported on the school’s 71.6 overall rating. Reading and math proficiency currently stands at 71.5, with science and writing at 71.1. The school aims to increase reading scores to 63% and math to 57% through targeted interventions like Flex classes and Edulastic tools.

“We’re focused on identifying gaps early and making sure every student has the opportunity to grow,” Croley said.

Alternative School Principal Terry Huddleston shared the progress of the district’s most at-risk students, noting a decline in behavioral issues and improved academic performance.

“We’re creating pathways for success, whether that’s a return to regular school or career readiness,” Huddleston said.

The school currently serves 62 students with career-focused programs like JROTC and welding.

At Whitley County High School, Principal Julie Osborne presented goals to increase postsecondary readiness to 100% and the graduation rate to 97.6% by 2025. Reading proficiency aims to grow from 56% to 62%, while math scores are targeted to improve from 46% to 52%.

“We’re making sure students leave our building with not just a diploma, but the skills they need to succeed in whatever comes next,” Osborne said.

The school is also implementing ACT preparation, targeted dual credit policies, and tutoring support for struggling students.

The board also reviewed and approved budget allocations for the 2024-2025 school year, discussed ongoing facilities maintenance, and highlighted upcoming events, including district-wide professional development workshops. Board members commended the principals for their detailed plans and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to achieve their goals.

‘;
var element = document.getElementById(“sub_message”);
element.appendChild(subMessage);
console.log(“Code Loaded!”);
} else {
var subMessage = document.createElement(‘div’);
subMessage.id = ‘sub-message-top’;
subMessage.class = ‘panel panel-default’;
subMessage.style.backgroundColor = ‘#eee’;
subMessage.style.borderRadius = ‘5px’;
subMessage.style.padding = ’10px’;
subMessage.style.marginTop = ’25px’;
subMessage.style.marginBottom = ’25px’;
subMessage.innerHTML =
‘

Support local journalism.

Subscribe Today’;
var element = document.getElementById(“sub_message”);
element.appendChild(subMessage);
console.log(“Code Loaded!”);
}
}