Principal Karen Kirby (left) discusses steps CM-HS is
taking to improve performance, with (L to R) superintendent
Jane Lynch, board president Lee Evans, members Cynthia Dale,
Joy Starcher, Steve Whited and Mike Wilson
By Bob Weaver
Calhoun school board members heard a number of positive steps being taken at Calhoun Middle-High School Monday evening, during a presentation of the school's improvement council.
They also heard a report from principal Karen Kirby about costly and re-occurring vandalism in the high school boy's rest rooms.
The special meeting was held at the Mt. Zion school, the board takes time each year to visit the county's three schools.
Kirby spoke to the board about how the school is working on improvements following a state audit that gave some marks for poor performance.
She discussed new classroom instructional strategies, weekly staff meetings and staff development focused on the OEPA audit.
Kirby said administration and teachers are tackling how to prevent vandalism in the boy's restrooms, saying "fixtures are being pulled from the walls, including towel racks, dispensers, and paper holders."
"Students kick the walls, making holes," she said, in addition to pulling basins and commodes from their mountings.
Kirby said she recently had an assembly of all high school boys, discussing the problem, but "apologizing to the most of you who never do these kind of things."
The principal said it is likely most of the damage is done by a half dozen students.
The school has implemented tighter controls on restroom access while classes are in session, but that does cause problems for staff to monitor the situation.
Kirby said the problem is not new, but it is getting worse.
School board members participated in the discussion, offering suggestions.
Board members Steve White and Mike Wilson (left) listen to
asst. principal Carla Taylor speak about Respect and Protect
Asst. principal Carla Taylor gave a report on the school's Respect and Protect program, which was initiated at Calhoun Middle and is now being used in the high school.
Taylor said the program has been used in middle school long enough to verify marked improvement in student behavior.
"Our Respect and Protect program is being adopted by the State Department of Education," Taylor said.
Students get behavioral grades on their report cards, and are given rewards for good behavior, she said.
Board members were reminded of the school's goals to improve academic performance, increase graduation rates, reduce student retentions, improve school effectiveness and increase the use of new technologies.
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