Report says GF Middle School 'beat odds' in ranking

GREEN FOREST -- The school board heard some good news Monday night concerning student achievement.

Andrea Martin, principal of the elementary and intermediate schools, shared a report from the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. The Outstanding Educational Performance Awards listed the schools in Arkansas with the highest percentage of students scoring either proficient or advanced on benchmark tests.

A section of the report called "Beating the Odds" singled out schools serving large populations of low-income students. The Green Forest Middle School was ranked sixth among schools with high levels of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

With 74 percent of students meeting the income guidelines for free or reduced-price lunch, the middle school showed 80 percent either proficient or advanced in mathematics.

"We're very excited about the work of the students and the staff," Martin said.

Other business at the meeting included the following:

* The 2009-2010 budget was approved. Superintendent Jeff Williams provided summaries of a budget he considers conservative. He said with student population down by 30 students from last year, the district will have to exercise more caution.

* Despite a week of rain which slowed progress on the middle school, Williams said the project remains on schedule, and the floors will be poured as soon as weather permits.

* Elections are required at the first meeting following school board elections. The board members remained the same, and the officers were re-elected, with Cheryl Howard as board president, Peggy James as vice-president, and Michael Grigg as secretary.

* A district leadership committee will be formed to provide guidance on school issues. Williams said he would recommend the committee include himself, two school board members, three teachers, two classified employees or supervisors, a counselor, the two principals or their assistants, and two community members.

* The board formally accepted an audit by the Legislative Audit Committee for 2007-08.

* Several student fundraisers were approved, but some were rejected pending further information.

* Agri teacher Keith Kilbourn, who also coaches the school's shooting sports program, introduced Kyler Johnson, who placed seventh in the state at a competition at the end of June.

* Prior to the meeting, a special meeting was held, at which a student was expelled.

Although the student handbook offers some leeway for fighting incidents, this student was expelled because of a premeditated assault on another student. He will be eligible to return for the spring semester.