Harrison Hills schools gain excellent rating
By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff WriterHOPEDALE - The Harrison Hills City School District Board of Education was updated on its State Report Card rating during Thursday evening's meeting.
Harrison Hills was one of only a few area districts earning the designation of "excellent," according to Director of Curriculum Kathy Rothacher.
"I am proud to make this announcement," she said. "The kids are growing and getting better every year. This is a direct result of the hard work by our administrators, teachers, parents and kids."
Superintendent James Drexler also praised the district for the boosted rating for the 2007-08 school year. "The report is a reflection on the entire district, not just the teaching staff but also the entire staff including custodians, secretaries, aides, bus drivers and cooks," he said. "Everyone takes pride in the growth of our students and work towards that goal. The changes have not bee easy but now we see the fruit of our labors."
Rothacher said the report card shows the story of the pupils' progress from year to year. Four measures of performance are shown and the combination is the basis for assigning the state designations. Those six designations are excellent with distinction, excellent, effective, continuous improvement, academic watch and academic emergency.
In other business, the board approved several use of facilities and also employed several individuals for the school year.
Kimberly Tittle was hired as an music teacher at Harrison Hopedale Elementary. Jennifer Blystone was employed vocal music teacher at Harrison Central High School. Sherry Dudgeon was employed as a business teacher at the high school.
Jim Little and Jennifer McCoy were hired as full-time substitute teachers at the high school and middle school, respectively.
Others hired included Lisa Hirschbach, marching band; Kathi Celestin and Greg Bizarre, teachers/tutors; Tom Bitticker, social studies, middle school; and Raymond Hibbs and Kathy Roski, intervention specialists at the district's high school.
A request from Future Farmers of America Advisor Don Jones was approved to take approximately 20 students to participate in the GGA Greenhand Camp, Sept. 28-30 at Camp Muskingum in Carroll County.
Use of facilities were approved for several groups including the Hope Players for the Hopedale Elementary for the upcoming production of "Beauty and the Beast."
The board also approved numerous contracts including one with Dragonfly Academy for the education of two autistic children in the district.
The board will meet in special session on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. for the purpose of hiring additional staff for the 2008-09 school year.
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
