I-SS Board approves summer remediation program, delays decision on food truck for School Nutrition Program

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

BY KARISSA MILLER

A divided Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education voted Monday to approve the district’s summer remediation program.

Vice Chairman Mike Kubiniec and board member Abby Trent voted against the program, which gives students an opportunity to close learning gaps and improve their scores on end of grade or end of course tests.

The remediation program is entirely funded by the State of North Carolina. 

“I still think that the program doesn’t work. When the state says we need to vote on something, it just shows how out of touch they are. The state is asking this board to approve a program that produces mediocrity,” Kubiniec said.

Kubiniec said that 29 percent of the students who retook the test passed, which is not an acceptable outcome. He asked Superintendent Jeff James to provide the board with options to change or modify the program with the intention of producing better results.

Trent did not state why she opposed the plan.

According to I-SS Director of Accountability, Testing and Student Information Laura Elliot, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction funds the program at no cost for the district so that students have additional learning opportunities outside of the regular school year.

School districts are given the ability to administer end of grade or end of course standardized testing during the summer program. The higher score will be included in the proficiency score for the school’s accountability year.

“Everyone wants to see every child pass. We do celebrate the successes that we see,” Elliot explained. “We are grateful to the state for providing this opportunity.”

The superintendent said the program provides a second opportunity for students to demonstrate they are proficient. He said parents often request a retake when they see their child’s score.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

♦ The board delayed a vote on a proposal to purchase a food truck for the School Nutrition Program. Chairman Bill Howell explained, in an interview, that the board would like additional information before voting on this expenditure.

♦ The board approved its meeting dates calendar, which consists of Committee of the Whole meeting and regular board meeting, for the 2023-24 school year:

• July 10, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• August 7, 2023 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• August 14, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• September 5, 2023 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• September 11, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• October 2, 2023 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• October 9, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• November 6, 2023 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• November 13, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• December 4, 2023 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• December 11, 2023 6 p.m. Board of Education
• January 8, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education
• February 5, 2024 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• February 12, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education
• March 4, 2024 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• March 11, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education
• April 8, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education
• May 6, 2024 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• May 13, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education
• June 3, 2024 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole
• June 10, 2024 6 p.m. Board of Education

1 thought on “I-SS Board approves summer remediation program, delays decision on food truck for School Nutrition Program”

  1. Shanna says:

    Mission statement from the Iredell Statesville School Board.

    We are a premier school system where students come first. All students will receive a high quality, relevant education in a safe and caring environment which will produce confident, responsible and globally competitive citizens. Our students will be college and career ready.

    I would challenge Mr. Kubiniec and Ms. Trent to familiarize themselves with what the mission and visions are of our school board is. It is about doing things that are in the best interest of each student in the system. This is a “no additional cost” program. If this program is beneficial to only a few students I see that as a win. You never know when that one student who may have had a bad day on the test will gain the confidence to go on to become someone who changes the world.

    Mr. Kubinec, Ms. Trent the only failure of this program is non participation from our elected leaders.

    You have been elected to the position you ask for, therefore you can cease you political campaigns. Now just do what you were elected to do and work for the students, each and every one of them. Also, pass a note to Mr. Kelly to put his stick away, as it could be considered a weapon.

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