With a reported 300 percent enrollment increase since 2008, the agriculture program at Newton Senior High School is certainly growing.
James Horn, who oversees the program, is expecting an enrollment of 120 students for the 2014-2015 school year, and with more students, more space is needed.
At Monday’s meeting of the Newton Community School Board of Education, Horn asked the board to consider purchasing a 24-by-48 foot greenhouse. His students have currently been sharing the NHS science department’s greenhouse, but he feels it’s time for his department to branch out.
The proposed greenhouse would be located in the upper parking lot near the agriculture classroom on the south end of the NHS campus.
“I would like to see this investigated more. With what’s going on with the program out there, this can only make it that much better,” said board member Bill Perrenoud.
Board member Donna Cook agreed with Perrenoud, but questioned Horn on potential costs for the greenhouse. Horn said bids had been submitted to several vendors, and Superintendent Bob Callaghan estimated the total cost to purchase and build the structure could range up to $100,000.
The board approved the matter, and a public hearing was set for 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 25.
In other business, the board approved goals for itself, Callaghan and the district as a whole.
Going into the new school year, the district’s No. 1 goal is to achieve sufficient improvement on the Iowa State Assessment, which is an annual test metric used by the Iowa Department of Education to grade a district and school’s performance.
Other goals the district established included engaging and encouraging more parents to be involved, creating a safe learning environment for staff and students and supporting its staff in helping make sure students succeed.
The board’s goal for itself is to provide adequate resources so that 80 to 85 percent of its teachers could help their students exceed the expectation of the Common Core. In addition, the board will provide supplemental services for the remaining 15 to 20 percent to help them meet or exceed expectations of the CC.
In addition, the board will actively seek to partner with parents and community stakeholders to expand educational opportunities in Newton, allocate funding for professional development for staff, student safety and wellness initiatives.
Finally, the board is hoping to provide staff with the appropriate resources to continue the district’s push toward implementing more technology in the educational process.
As far as Callaghan’s goals, the board is asking him to develop and/or implement strategies to ensure that students achieve sufficient improvement on the Iowa Assessment. In undertaking this task, he is to work with building principals and the district program directors.
Callaghan is to help promote the district and parent involvement; develop a district safety team to ensure staff and student safety; review district policies; and work to retain and recruit high-quality staff members.
He was also tasked with working with the Newton Community Education Association on crafting a balanced salary structure going forward. The NCEA represents a number of the district’s teachers. Its contract with the district expires at the end of the school year.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.