Wednesday, May 17, 2006
By SUSAN BENDER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIANA -- David Cappuzzello has been hired as principal of South Side Middle School in Columbiana on a two-year contract from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2008.
Cappuzzello, the former middle school principal at Ravenna Southeast, was chosen from 41 applicants. He replaces Ray Wagner.
In other business Tuesday, schools Superintendent Ron Iarussi urged parents to educate themselves on the No Child Left Behind Act requirements so they will understand why changes will be implemented in the coming years.
The board of education's No. 1 goal is to increase student achievement, Iarussi said. The No Child Left Behind Act requires that 100 percent of all students must be proficient by 2012. To achieve that goal, Columbiana will have to show a 10 percent improvement in proficiency exams each year, he said.
The district's 2004-05 report card results gave Joshua Dixon Elementary a "continuous improvement" rating, while the middle school received an excellent rating and the high school received an effective rating. Overall, the district received an effective rating last year.
By adjusting curriculum and other classroom enhancements, early indications show that the 2005-06 report card should result in an excellent rating.
"This is good news, but more change needs to happen in order for us to reach our goals," Iarussi said.
New strategies
Because the new legislation requires improvement in all students, even those who require special education, more schools are implementing new strategies like "inclusion." That concept blends all students together, learning the same curriculum, in the same setting, but testing them at different speeds based on each child's level of learning and special needs.
Another new concept is called "teaming," where children in the third- and fourth-grade levels will remain in the classroom, while teachers team up and rotate from room to room, enforcing their specific strengths in math, science and other areas.
More information about the No Child Left Behind Act can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's Web site at www.ed.gov.
Iarussi said there's a lot to be proud of in the district.
"Columbiana High School has never had a student not graduate due to the failure of a proficiency test," he said.
The next board meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. June 14 in the high school media center.