Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools March/April 2018 | Page 20

Board of Education approves restart applications for
three elementary schools
At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Union County Board of Education
approved restart applications for Walter Bickett, East and
Benton Heights elementary schools. If approved by the
State Board of Education, the schools will have the option to
have charter-like flexibility for the school calendar, areas of
teacher certification and funding.
At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Union County Board of Education
approved restart applications for Walter Bickett, East and Benton
Heights elementary schools. If approved by the State Board of
Education, the schools will have the option to have charter-like
flexibility for the school calendar, areas of teacher certification
and funding. Schools that are recurring in a low-performing status
are eligible to apply for a school improvement model with the
State Board of Education.
Under this model, the schools have set goals for and will focus
on three key areas—academic outcomes, top talent and student
supports. Union County Public Schools will outline objectives to
monitor, support and provide resources for the schools.
“We want to provide as much support as we can for Walter
Bickett, East and Benton Heights schools,” said Dr. Andrew
Houlihan, Superintendent. “These schools are making gains and
showing growth, but we want to provide more flexibility and
options for school leaders to expand resources, adjust calendars
to meet the needs of the students and use funding to attract and
retain the best teachers.”
In addition, the Board of Education also approved a new school
calendar for these three schools. Beginning in the 2018-2019
school year, Walter Bickett, East and Benton Heights elementary
schools will operate on the traditional calendar. Currently, the
schools operate on a year-round calendar with an intersession
every nine weeks.
“Our data has not proven that a year-round calendar is what’s
best for the students in these schools,” Dr. Houlihan said. “We have
communicated with parents and staff about the change and there was
a great amount of support from families.” “We will work with staff and
parents to transition to a new calendar, but we are confident that this
flexibility will allow us to think differently and provide options to help
us move forward with improving these schools.”
–This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
Communication Office.
18 • Mar/Apr 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine