Rountree considered for third district PYP school
September 9, 2008
Rountree Elementary School could become the third district elementary school to adopt the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
On Sept. 9, the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education was asked to approve the implementation of the Rountree PYP beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.
PYP is an inquiry-based learning approach with a proven track record in meeting student needs within existing district PYP programs. Boyd and Field elementary schools currently offer the PYP to their students. Enrollment trends at both those schools show strong community support for the program.
Rountree staff researched potential SPS Choice options for two years before proposing PYP. Implementation would require $15,000 for the current budget year. The money was approved by the board in June for possible Choice training or research.
The program would also require ongoing annual costs of $125,720 beginning in fiscal 2009.
In other board action on Sept. 9:
*The board postponed until next month an administrative proposal to create a teacher advisory team that allows teachers to be involved in the process of improving their working conditions and compensation.
In 2007 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that teachers and other public employees have a Constitutional right to engage in collective bargaining. The advisory team would satisfy a court requirement that school districts establish a framework for teachers to exercise their bargaining rights.
The Springfield National Education Association wants to hold an election to choose an exclusive bargaining agent to represent all teachers. The Missouri State Teachers Association proposes a negotiation team with equal representation by both organizations. Administration recommends the team consist of equal numbers of representatives from both teacher groups.
* The board was asked to revise the district strategic plan, SP5, adopted a year ago. SP5 was designed to be flexible and responsive to stakeholder input and administrative review. Marc Maness, community relations/strategic planning director, suggested revisions that would remove duplication among current performance indicators and measures to sharpen the focus on the three primary district goals.
* The board received a demonstration of the new parent notification system AlertNOW.