The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.

Under Roll Call, Director Karen Bunkcer was not in attendance, all other members were present.

Assessment and Learning Director Amy Low presented information on Fall Benchmark Data.  She shared that we are examining how our students are performing in key categories and comparing our results to those from this time last year.  She reviewed the Reading benchmark data and shared that there were new norms and criteria for benchmarking, which included four categories: well below, below, meeting, and exceeds.  She went over math data and shared that there was no overhaul of categories in math and that we are using composite scores for all and not national percentages anymore.  She reviewed the subtests we would examine closely and what they would tell us.  There has been considerable work at the elementary schools to learn more about these subtests and how to utilize some of these different reports for identifying enhancements in Tier 1 instruction that will fill gaps and make a difference.

For Glacier Middle School, she shared that the STAR Renaissance State Benchmark Screener is used, and she presented grade-level performance data in reading and math. She shared historical comparison data from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025.

White River High School Principal, Cody Mothershead, presented data regarding the high school math units for Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II.  He explained that the Algebra data appears off, but the reason for this is that there are fewer students in Algebra this year compared to last year, as Algebra is now for all 8th grade. In 2024/2025, there were over 200 kids; in 2025/2026, there is about 60 kids.  The high school has 17 sections of Geometry and there is a 4% positive jump from last year to this year in Unit 1.

He shared the next steps for math, and that they are looking to the future, they are aiming to achieve the 80% mark for Tier I within a few years. They aren't there yet, but are working to get there by: 

• Digging into units
• Extensions in unit plans
• Make Learning more interesting
• Interventions and Retakes - targeted
• Some layering work with "nice to knows" - not just essentials

He also shared that Incredible instructional things are happening in the Math classroom: differentiation and a stoplight activity - kids are challenging themselves.  
 

Glacier Middle School Principal Nick Hedman and teachers McKenzie Bailey, Kelci Bleasdale, and Jared Bleasdale shared information on the new science curriculum.  They are very excited about the new Science curriculum - Lab Aids - that was adopted last year.

In 6th-grade Science, they are having rich discussions with kids and are already seeing growth.  They are working on Land, Water and Human interactions: making observations, collecting evidence, at the end of unit the kids get to "choose" a location to build the school.  Students performed well with the Water Cycle CFA, but found the Evidence CFA challenging.  

In 7th-grade Science, students are working on the Ecology unit, where they choose one of eight introduced species, collect information, and, at the end of the unit, present their findings to the State Department of Ecology.  Students are rising to the challenge of the more rigorous content, engaging in great conversations and open-minded discussions with their peers through the provided activities, and the hands-on experience is a hit.

In 8th grade Science, they are going over the Evolution unit: using mathematical representations - learning about environmental changes, then genetic variation, Final presentation on Evolution as a whole.  They are graphing, analyzing, and interpreting a graph, writing is much more in-depth, and students are rising to the challenge.  

School board members participated in a Fossilized Footprints activity.  Overall, students are much more engaged in science and there is a higher rigor overall.  

It was moved by Director Scheer and seconded by Director Johnson to adjourn. The 
meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Motion carried.