MONTGOMERY — The Barr-Reeve School Board heard a yearly tradition on Tuesday, celebrating rising ISTEP test scores.

B-R Superintendent Travis Madison and High School Guidance Counselor and Test Coordinator Chasity Sward gave the board a briefing on ISTEP scores and end of class examinations at the high school.

They were, in a word, great.

"As a corporation, we improved with students passing across the board," Sward said.

For grades three through eight, 91 percent of students passed the ISTEP Math test. In English, the passing rate was 88 percent. For both tests, 84 percent of students passed.

"In some grades, we had more students in the pass plus (high score) score than just passing," Sward said. "We had improvements across the board."

Also presented were passing rates for high school graduation equivalency exams. The are two exams, Algebra I and 10th grade English, that a student must pass before he or she can graduate. Although state passing averages will not be available until the fall, a large majority of students will have no trouble.

In the high school, 90 percent of students passed the English 10 exam and 89 percent passed the Algebra 1 exam. Sward said the students come from a wide range, some as young as eighth grade for Algebra I.

But there was one test that raised the eyebrows of the board, biology. The test is not required for graduation but federal Title I requirements ask the test be taken and measured. At Barr-Reeve, 55 percent of students passed the Biology I exam for freshmen. Surprisingly, that number is high in comparing past averages, Sward said.

Madison went on to say there is some debate on the test in the education community because students focus on physical and Earth sciences in previous grades and not life sciences like biology. He also said there may be a little slacking because the test is not required for graduation.

"I don't know if it is an issue here, but it may be an issue for students," Madison said.

The superintendent and Sward did thank teachers, administrators, parents and information technology staff in making sure everything is ready come test time.

"It is a lot of pressure to give those tests and it takes a lot of folks to make it possible," Madison said.

Personnel

In personnel news, the board appointed Michelle Davis as Food Service Manager for both the elementary and the high school. Madison said Davis will serve as the central link between the cafeterias and the central office.

The resignation of high school science teacher Tracy Dixon was accepted. Dixon accepted a position in Greene County and her replacement will be sought immediately.

Kathy Tolbert was hired by the board to be the second shift custodian at the elementary school.

The board also accepted the fall coaching list for the upcoming school year. The list includes: Amber DeCoursey, varsity volleyball coach; Kerri Boyd, junior varsity volleyball coach; Brittany Derr, high school volleyball assistant; Mike James, Dana Jones, Josh Swartzentruber and Gloria Wirtz, volunteer volleyball assitants; Abby Knepp, eighth grade volleyball coach; Danielle Knepp, seventh grade volleyball coach; Brooke Lengacher and Amber Rademacher, junior high volleyball assistants; Justin Seal, boys varsity tennis coach; Landon Lengacher, boys junior varsity tennis coach; Jordan Guinn, junior high boys tennis coach; JayR Perkins, boys varsity cross country coach; Matt Anderson, boys junior high cross country coach; Susie Graber, girls varsity cross country coach; Kevin Heller, Carrie Heller and Jodi Knepp, volunteer girls cross country coaches; and Susie Graber, girls junior high cross country coach.

School Lunch Prices

Madison asked the board to vote for a 10-cent rise in school lunch prices. The change, he said, was due to a new state formula to calculate the prices  that factor in students who receive free or reduced lunches. Lunches for students will be $2.10 while adults will be charged $2.85. Breakfast will be $1.25 and milk will be 25 cents.

But the board learned food prices will be slightly less. Madison informed the board that due to a new buying agreement with the Southern Indiana Educational Cooperative, bids for milk and bread are lower than in past years. Milk will be provided by Prairie Farms and bread by Sara Lee.

Textbook Fees

The board voted to accept textbook fees for the upcoming school year at the   middle and high schools. Sixth grade students, who will be the first sixth graders at the high school, will be charged $153.52. Seventh grade fees will be $198.08 and eighth graders will be charged $209.74. At the high school, fees range from $180 to $250 depending on the courses the student takes.

Moment of Silence

Before the meeting, the board held a moment of silence in honor of Galen Knepp, a custodian at the schools that has passed away recently. Madison said Knepp was a valued employee and will be missed.

Tobacco Policy

The board unanimously voted to enact a no-tobacco policy on school property. At no time will tobacco be allowed in school buildings, school buses or on school grounds. Teachers and students will be notified of the policy and announcements will be made at school events, including basketball games.

Surplus Auction

The schools will be holding a surplus auction from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the high school parking lot. On sale, Madison said, will be extra items from the old agriculture barn. A list of the items for sale will be in our classified section.

Dates to Remember

The upcoming school year is approaching quickly and registration will begin on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The first day of school will be on Aug. 9.