York Town News
York Schools continue to make the grade
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - When it comes to meeting the annual yearly progress requirements of the No Child Left Behind mandate, the York School Department is once again holding its own.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry Scipione announced last week that the current report for annual yearly progress (AYP) is good news for local schools.
"We have met the AYP requirements in all four schools," Scipione said.
He pointed out that if a school is deemed not to be meeting AYP it does not mean it is failing, but said it is a relief to the York School Department staff to once again be attaining the full compliance status required in the federal legislation.
When it comes to AYP, he told the School Committee on May 2, "You can take it with a grain of salt, but it sure is nice to be able to report that."
In fact, Scipione told the committee, York's students continue to score above the state and county average on the Maine Education Assessment tests and above the state and national average on the NWEA assessment used to measure progress in a variety of subjects and grade levels.
"We're constantly striving to maintain that level of student achievement," he said.
Scipione and the School Committee members praised the students for their dedication and hard work, and also had some words of praise for other members of the community who have supported the schools in a variety of ways - including the York Rotary Club, which was recently honored in Augusta, and the York Police Department.
Speaking of last week's DARE graduation at York Middle School, Scipione commended the York police for their support of the local schools.
"It really spoke to the fact of that partnership that we have, and I really very much wanted to thank the York Police Department and Officer Scott Cogger for their work," he said of last week's event. "We wouldn't be able to do those types of things without that partnership."
Scipione also noted that Charlie Ek of Kittery Trading Post's community outreach program was nominated by the York School Department and is being honored with a Commissioner's Recognition Award from the state for his work supporting at-risk students.
"We're very pleased for him and looking forward to having that relationship continue," Scipione said.
In other good news from the district, Scipione announced that Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Maryann Minard has been published in an academic journal entitled, "Essays and Voices from the Field." Scipione said Minard's contribution focuses on the York Schools' commitment to district-wide teacher leadership.
At the same meeting, the School Committee accepted, with regret, the resignations of Coastal Ridge Elementary School third-grade teacher Gabe Gordon, York High School science teacher Libby Bacon and Kathy Butler of York Middle School.
"All three will be missed," Scipione said. "All three have made significant contributions to our schools."
The School Committee also reviewed policies regarding student transportation and special education referral, and acknowledged the discontinuation of the summer school program due to a lack of enrollment. The Special Education summer program, however, will continue.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for May 16.
