Tyrone High School has the highest growth in the state on recent standardized tests, as addressed by High School Principal Tom Yoder at the October 1st school board meeting.

Yoder showed board members the results of the High School’s Keystone testing.

All TAHS students tested 17.3% better than the state average in Keystone Literature, 20.6% better than the state average in Algebra 1, and 11.1% better than the state average in Biology.

Director of Curriculum Leslie Estep described changes in Federal accountability and the school performance profile (SPP). Tyrone now has to close an achievement gap in standardized testing.

In other business, food service manager Renee Vanaelstyn introduced changes in the school lunch menu. Changes include the addition of nacho cheese, hot dogs, and slush puppies.

The board then went over the financial report and board policies to be voted on during the regular session and discussed during executive session.

Many field trips were discussed after the meeting in Executive Session.  The FFA clay shoot was discussed as an important event for our school’s FFA members.

Brian Bressler, chairperson for Sudent Activities and Services Committee, requested the board acceptance to the resignation of Angela and Tim Schaul, Colorguard co-advisors. This resignation will be effective November 2, 2013. The board also accepted the resignations of custodian Chad Perry and paraprofessional Leigha Stewart.

The board elected Brittany Baker to be the Varsity Girls’s Assistant Basketball Coach and Tiffany Bradford to be the Junior High Girls’ Assistant Basketball Coach. Cyndy Isenberg was also named Renaissance Advisor. Angela Kline and Amanda Winfield were named Yearbook co-advisors.

Other personnel items on the agenda were the reduction in hours for paraprofessional Trinda Hammond and an increase in hours for paraprofessional Kari Shaw.

Chairperson of Physical Plant and Operations Committee Luther Laird requested board approval to the listing of Beckwith Buses and Raystown Transit Service buses and vans to be used for student transportation.

To close the meeting student representative Seth Umholtz brought the schools’ practice field condition to the boards attention. Umholtz described the conditions on the football practice field and the soccer field to be dusty and full of rocks. Umholtz was concerned about possible injuries that could happen due to bad field conditions.

However, the board said there wasn’t much the maintenance could do about the fields because they are in constant use.

The board meeting was called to an end at 8:53 and the board members went into executive session.