Superintendent Scoop: End of 2017-18 school year

The statement, “This was an interesting year!” evokes many thoughts to different people. I started teaching in 1977; that equals 41 school years! 2017-2018 in BCSD gets the title of the Most Interesting!! This is not to say it was a bad year, very far from that! As synonyms for “interesting” explain: absorbing, engrossing, fascinating, riveting, gripping, compelling, compulsive, captivating, engaging, enthralling and my favorite — intriguing! I will stick with interesting. If you want to know any more, wait for the book… names will be changed to protect the innocent (and the interesting!).

The following are a few notable events I am happy to remind you of:

BFHS — More than $1 million in scholarships earned by the graduating class of 2018. On Career Day (Feb. 22) more than 30 local professionals spoke to our students about career opportunities, needed responsibilities and skills. Robotics earned “Worlds Competition” and competed with the best. Badger Baseball won State. Lady Badger Softball won State last year, earned second this year! Individuals excelled in track and field. All programs remain competitive!

BCMS — Reality Town: students take a first look ahead at the world to come; advance opportunities to earn Associate’s Degree with a HS Diploma; record numbers in extra-curricular with strong future coming in all activities, especially wrestling, basketball and track.

VVES — Curiosity Fair opens doors to future careers; new bleachers seat 500 for 5th grade promotion; student enrollment necessitates growth; Summer Reading Program open to all!

Mount Hall — building administrator established full-time; Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) has been fully adopted by the parents, staff and students. Under PBIS clear behavioral expectations are established. With this in place, teaching and learning takes center stage!

Naples — building administrator established full-time; H.A.T.S. Program is TOPS! During this two hour block, students are given the opportunity to focus on a curriculum of choice in Humanities, Art, Technology and/or Science (HATS).

In all of our school programs: ISAT and writing test scores have improved; student involvement has increased; band, drama, dance and cheer all get stronger and our community becomes more involved.

District — the budget is clearer than ever. At 5:30 PM on June 25th, a budget hearing will be held right before our regular board meeting at 6:00. The BCEA and the district have already tentatively agreed on contract issues, a first in many years! A 10 year Facilities Plan has been addressed and is close to publication. Many building needs have been completed; others are planned. Our High School bond will expire in 2023. The emergency needs of Valley View Elementary School must be discussed, as repairs are outweighing the cost of replacement. The Board of Trustees has a dedicated focus toward fiscal responsibility and supporting student program growth.

Community Service — As Superintendent, this category is where I am most proud. We are teaching our students to give back to the community that supports their schools! Leadership Classes in all buildings remain active: elementary schools are donating to local food banks; the MS “Penny War” raised and donated $1,254 to three local Veterans organization and the MS/HS Leadership Classes collected close to 200 turkeys and hams to support the Ministerial Association Christmas Baskets. This work will continue!

As I have said many time and I will say again, the Admin Team in BCSD is excellent. Our Special Education Director Sara Yoder is no exception! I would like to share this message from Sara, “The special education department would like to celebrate our growth as a team; growth in collaboration with the community, in staff support, in parent participation, and in student achievement. We celebrate our schools and their inclusion of our students and families in all activities. From field trips to talent shows to extracurricular activities, students are involved and enjoying their experiences. We celebrate our preschool which has 41 students with 30 moving on to kindergarten this coming year. What a successful program we have for our youngest learners. On the other end, we celebrate our graduating seniors who have worked hard for many years to meet this goal. Congratulations on receiving your diploma. Thank you to all the staff who have supported these students throughout the years. We have a tremendous special education team that continues to grow, learn, and make students success a priority.”

As I enter what might be my last year in this proud profession, I must admit I love the challenges this job has to offer! As we head into the 2018-2019 school year, student and staff safety will remain my number one priority. This summer our admin team and local law enforcement will complete a vulnerability assessment. Plans will be made but as we all know, this will never be enough. We must encourage everyone to remain vigilant. The “See and Say” campaign is not just rhetoric. Anyone who hears or reads of a concern must verbalize it to another; the school authorities must be notified. We will address all valid concerns. We are all responsible for the safety of each other in this beautiful community.

Program growth will continue. We must continue to validate our advanced opportunity programs and strengthen the vocational tracks. We must continue to prepare our students for their future. This will be seen in our new math adoption which will focus on the use of technology. This and many more are the challenges as we prepare a safe, civil and productive environment for our kids!

Next year is another “Levy Year”. Please stay involved and informed. If you do, I am sure you will be proud and impressed by the work of your district. Our kids are our future and our future is bright!

Please keep the written word in front of your children this summer. VVES has a summer reading program open to all elementary school children on Thursdays from 11:00-2:00 at no cost and with lunch provided. Our Public Library is an open door with many summer opportunities. Online sites are plentiful! Have a safe, civil and productive summer!

— Boundary County School Superintendent Gary Pflueger