Board approves paper third-grade reading assessment, authorizes opening assurances for new building

At its Jan. 19 special meeting, the New Philadelphia Board of Education unanimously approved two items requested by Assistant Superintendent Mr. Williams: a resolution to administer the third-grade reading assessment on paper this year and an amendment to contract language recording opening assurances for a new school building near the mall.

Mr. Williams said the district has seen stronger results on the written portion of the reading assessment when students complete it on paper. "We found that our scores have been really good with the paper assessment, particularly with the written portion," he told the board, adding that students tend to write more on paper than when typing.

Mr. Williams also described an amendment to a contract regarding opening assurances for a new building, which he said he had reviewed with colleagues and inspectors. He said the amendment records that the district is opening the new building by the mall and that QDA would receive the paperwork and perform additional inspections.

Both items were moved, seconded and passed by roll call. The board also approved a set of volunteer appointments during the meeting; the transcript does not list volunteer names. The board then adjourned at 9:36 a.m.

The transcript does not detail how the district will use assessment results, the specific contract language changes, or the identities of the volunteers approved; Mr. Williams said staff would send the amended opening assurances to QDA for further inspections and paperwork.