Graduation Task Force Provides Update to School Board

The Graduation Task Force provided its annual update to the School Board at the Nov. 19 meeting. The Graduation Task Force is comprised of school-based and central office staff and community members.

Staff reported that the on-time graduation rate for the class of 2019 was 92.5% and that the on-time grad rate for the three comprehensive high schools is 96%. Staff noted that English Learners show the greatest growth in the on-time grad rate from 75-77%.

During the report, staff highlighted key strategies to help students graduate on time as well as future recommendations. Strategies discussed include targeted interventions, wrap-around services for students, Arlington Tiered System of Support (ATSS), Dropout Prevention Team Support and efforts to strengthen multiple instructional and graduation pathways.

The full report is available online.

ACTION ITEMS:
The Board approved the following items:

• 2020 Legislative Package – The School Board approved legislative and funding issues and initiatives that it plans to support during the 2020 session of the Virginia General Assembly.
• Middle and High School Program of Studies – The Board did not reach a consensus on the recommended course additions and deletions to the 2020-21 Middle and High School Program of Studies. They will revisit the discussion for action when all five School Board members are present on December 5.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

• Retirement of Select School Board Policies – Staff is proposing to retire School Board Policies E-2, E-2.1, E-2.2 and I-10.31. All content has been updated and moved into the new safety and security policy and policy implementation procedure structure under policy E-3.31.
• FY2021-30 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Direction – In the proposed CIP direction, the Board directs the Interim Superintendent to prepare the Fiscal Year 2021‐30 CIP to balance:
  • The need for increase student capacity;
  • The locations where capacity is most needed; and
  • The school years by which the increased capacity is most needed;

With available debt capacity such that debt service will not exceed 98% of the annual operating budget in any fiscal year.The Board also directs the Interim Superintendent to base the FY 2021‐30 CIP upon the 2019 Arlington Facilities and Student Accommodation Plan (AFSAP) as well as propose new capacity‐generating capital projects in the FY 2021‐30 CIP to address seating capacity needs identified in the 2019 AFSAP at all levels and coordinate with the current Elementary School Planning Process.

The full presentation is available on BoardDocs.

RECOGNITIONS:
The School Board recognized Campbell Elementary School for earning their Expeditionary Learning credentials. In addition, representatives from the Arlington Education Association recognized National Education Support Professionals Day with a proclamation as part of American Education Week.

NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:
The School Board will hold its next Regular Meeting (2110 Washington Blvd.) on Thu, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The agenda will be posted one week before the meeting on BoardDocs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Citizens who want to comment on any items discussed at the School Board meeting should email the Board at school.board@apsva.us or call 703-228-6015. Citizens may call 703-228-2400 on the Monday after the School Board meetings to listen to a meeting summary. School Board meetings are also broadcast live on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FiOS Channel 41; live-streamed on the APS website, and re-broadcast on Fridays at 9 p.m. and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the meeting. All materials and minutes will be posted to the website at aps2016.apsva.us/schoolboard upon School Board approval at a subsequent meeting.