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BELLEFONTE -- In a recent meeting, Kristopher Vancas, the Bellefonte Area School District's Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the school board with the district's comprehensive plan spanning the years 2024 to 2027.
The district's previous comprehensive plan spanned the years 2021 to 2024, according to Vancas.
The 2021-2024 comprehensive plan focused on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at the elementary level, specifically on literacy and math areas. STEM and community opportunities were significant initiatives outlined in the plan. It also was centered around district-wide data in general.
"We've had reports from our social worker in the past (about) the success we've had there," said Vancas.
The comprehensive planning committee met five times between October to February, with parents and board members both involved; Vancas discussed what went on in those meetings as well as different areas of focus for this year's plan.
"During meetings 4 and 5, that's when we were able to finally analyze all those strengths and challenges. The following themes emerged during those discussions... Math was a concern across the board... Also the math curriculum hadn't been reviewed or revised in over five years. We also started to think about our subgroups of students and focused in on differentiation. ...(for) all of our learners, we feel like a focus on differentiation strategies and professional learning for teachers would be something that would be important for us to think about," said Vancas.
The first goal outlined in the plan is to focus on the district's math curriculum. They want to make sure the district is meeting the state's standards within each grade level, and also make sure there are no gaps between grade levels regarding content.
Another goal is to implement the differentiation of curriculum, instruction and assessment to meet the needs of every student in the district. This addresses the concern the district had of meeting the needs of all learners -- from the high to low and everyone in between.
The plan also outlines a goal to develop a K-12 "portrait of a graduate" document. This document will clearly define the key attributes, essential knowledge, skills and disposition the district wants all their graduates to possess when they graduate.
"The goals might at times seem to be basic, but the end products I really believe are going to be extremely helpful," said Vancas.
Three other reports were also shared along with the comprehensive plan, including the gifted education plan, induction plan and professional development plan.
According to board president Jon Guizar, almost 20% of the committee was made up of parents and community members.
"I really want to extend a heartfelt thank you to members of our community who are taking an active role," said Guizar.
There will be a period of time for feedback on the documents, allowing the district to make changes and accept comments.
The plan is for the plan to be on the agenda for the March 26 school board meeting for approval.
"If approved," said Vancas, "We will submit it to the Department of Education for their approval. This will help guide some of the work we'll be working on the next three years. There's some big focus areas... I think these are some positive steps for us."
In other news:
-- The school board has begun the interview phase of the superintendent search. They received and screened 20 applications and selected five candidates for the first round of interviews. The final interviews are anticipated to be finished by the end of March, with a candidate ready for approval in April.
-- The board has approved the purchase of seven portable metal detectors for the middle and high school. This purchase is among other safety upgrades in the district, including replacing the district's analog radios with digital radios. These upgrades will be funded through Safety & Security grant money through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.