The Daily News

Federal assessment tests found Breckenridge Elementary-Middle School behind in the area of special education reading, as administration seeks ways to better its scores. While the elementary school met or exceeded its "average yearly progress" (AYP) for No Child Left Behind in every other subgroup, failure in one category prohibited its success.

"We're still not making AYP, even though we're higher than the state average," said Breckenridge Elementary-Middle School Principal Don Schill at the school board meeting Tuesday. In the past three years, the school has exceeded the state average.

Each year, the school must try to exceed its success in every category.

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"I don't know that any school in Minnesota will make that," he said. "About half the schools did not meet AYP [this year], and next year it will be a lot more."

As the elementary school is Title 1, it is required to offer an improvement plan. Schill will be attending a workshop at Lakes Country Service Cooperative next week in Fergus Falls to meet with other staff to formulate a plan.

"We must also give the public and parents the choice of whatever public school they want their kids to go to in the district," he said.

Schill is also setting aside 10 percent of the budget for staff development. The middle school is not Title 1, therefore no consequences apply.

Breckenridge High School Principal Dan Bettin reported the school met its average yearly progress. Freshman writing proficiency excelled, with 94 percent of the class meeting state standards. Other scores fell short of expectations, with 65 percent of sophomores meeting standards for reading compared to 72 percent statewide.

Thirty-four percent of juniors met the standards for math and matched the state average, increasing their performance by 36 percent from the year before.

While Bettin was slightly disappointed by the scores, he said there is "significant improvement" in the area of math.

But the scores were troublesome to Interim Superintendent Warren Schmidt, who suggested hiring a test assessment director.

At the cost of $3,000, the director would pinpoint problematic areas. Schmidt is acquainted with one at Lakes Country Service Cooperative, but will check with school staff first.

The school board decided to halt approval until Schmidt has investigated the issue further.

The fact that assessment scores disregard a number of factors left some school board members frustrated, especially as the state does not provide additional help.

"If they can tell us we're not compliant, can't they tell us how to improve?" said board member Brett Johnson.

In other business:

• The board voted against financially contributing to the BW Blades Hockey Program. The district's contribution would affect Title IX, which requires equal opportunities for females.

"We are in compliance with the number of activities, but out of compliance with the amount of money," said Interim Superintendent Warren Schmidt.

• The board unanimously approved hiring a youth program director. The school's budget already included $11,541 for the position and an additional $24,000 for the director's salary is covered by city funds. The latter amount will go toward the school deficit.

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