New Construction Provides Annual Savings

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Quality Schools Grant Project for the exterior (envelope) of the High School and Middle School is nearing its final stages. This project started three years ago with the Quality Schools Planning Grant. This was a $25,000 grant. The Planning Grant provided the needed funds to provide an assessment of our district's buildings and begin initial planning for a proposed project. Upon being awarded the Planning Grant, we went right to work making application for the Project Grant for $565,000. Upon award and approval from the Montana Legislature and the Governor, today, we are finally arriving at near project completion. 

The project completion will not only provide an appealing exterior, but necessary insulation and roof repair as well as window and door replacements. This couldn't come at a better time with the inflated prices of propane and the extremes of last winter. The district paid $113,000 for propane in 2013-2014. That was 44,000 gallons of fuel. Our average fuel consumption is 40,000 gallons. Estimated saving could be as much as 20% in a year. The project has not only provided a new face lift, but will help offset other funding reductions through the estimated fuel savings.

Many of our constituents have asked what the final project will look like, so I have included several three dimensional renderings from the architect.

Board Agendas Now Available on Line

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 Even though the School District has been paperless for the past three years, it is leveraging the power of the Internet to radically improve the governance process while saving time, taxpayer dollars and the environment. This new eGovernance initiative is a remarkably powerful, easy-to-use solution that enables the District to maximize the effectiveness of board meetings with increased transparency, providing a basis for better and more open communication with the public, while dramatically increasing productivity and saving thousands of dollars annually.

The paperless meeting solution is a 100% Web-based service. By making meeting agendas and supporting documents available on the Internet, St. Ignatius Schools will be able distribute documents associated with board meetings more quickly and efficiently, at a dramatically reduced cost to the organization.

Electronic distribution will not only save time and resources, but it will also provide unprecedented public access via the St. Ignatius School’s Web site to agenda items and other governing body-related information. This process will allow interested parties to review information prior to board meetings. All documents associated with the meeting are automatically archived and can be accessed by meeting date or by using the system’s comprehensive search feature.

The new eGovernance features can be accessed via the District’s Web site at http://web.stignatiusschools.org/ under the “School Board” tab, or for direct access to the District’s Board Agendas go to: http://www.boarddocs.com/mt/sisd28/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

We hope you find this new tool useful and informative.

INDIAN EDUCATION REPORT 2013

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 On December 5, 2013 the Administrative Team presented the Mission Indian Education Report to the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal Council. The report was well received by the Council. The following video outlines the content presented. Please share and enjoy!

2013 TESTING SCORES REVEAL TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AND GROWTH - Continuious School Improvement

 by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski 

 Over the last three years St. Ignatius students have indicated tremendous progress on the Mont CAS assessment and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) growth assessment. The outcomes have been phenomenal. It goes to show what HARD WORK, FOCUS and COMMITMENT can yield. Our school district has CROSSED THE LINE to excellence. In fact, I am not sure if there is another district in the state that can show the marked improvement that this district has made; especially when considering the unique challenges we face. I am convinced that our strategic planning, school improvement goals, initiatives and follow through are difference. We are a system of best practices that focus on what is BEST FOR KIDS!

Below is a brief explanation of our testing results. I think you'll find our trend line for academic success is going up and connecting with our district's vision of excellence.

The Mont CAS scores below are taken from the Montana Analysis Reporting System (MARS). The Mont CAS is a criterion reference test (CRT). It measures student progress in terms of meeting identified standards or criteria. Identified standards are the minimal criteria that a student should know or be able to demonstrate at a given grade level. 

Students are indicating marked improvement on the Mont CAS in READING with 9% more student indicating proficiency since 2011. This test is taken by all 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 grades.

Some of the largest gains in READING are seen in our sub groups. Since 2011, Native American proficiency or above has risen by 11% (70%-81%); Economically Disadvantage students scoring proficiency or above has risen by 13% (71%-84%); and Students with Disabilities scoring proficient or higher has risen by 11% (54%-65%).

Our students' MATH proficiency is more remarkable than in READING. Our two year growth indicates that 17% MORE students are scoring proficient or higher on this assessment. 

 Closing the gap between all scores and sub groups has been a focus. The MATH scores indicate that since 2011, Native American proficiency or above has risen by 12% (51%-63%); Economically Disadvantage students scoring proficiency or above has risen by 16% (72%-68%).

Measured Academic Progress (MAP) scores use norm reference data to identify individual growth targets. These growth targets are based on national testing results. The intention of this instrument is to measure GROWTH regardless to the individual's grade level competence and abilities. In other words, regardless to whether a child is an excellent student or a struggling student, each as a different growth target based on their ability compared with the rest of the nation.

Last year we saw the most significant improvement in READING on MAP; 57% of our student met their growth goal. We would like to see better overall improvement in READING, but are very please with the significant increase.

This is an area of massive improvement. I like to think that our staff and students are "ROCK STARS" when it comes to growth in Mathematics. Over the last two years, we have seen 31.1% more of our student meet their growth targets from 49% in 2011 to 80.1% this last year. ROCK STARS OF MATHEMATICAL PROGRESS!

This is another area of significant and substantial improvement. Over the last two years, 22.53% more of this district's students are reaching their growth targets (49.9% in 2011 to 65.43 in 2013). I know I have already use the word ROCK STARS, but these kind of changes are worthy of notice.

In closing, I want to apologize for bragging about the accomplishments of our students, staff and teachers...WAIT...No I don't! These people, and this community have excelled! They have embraced changes and the endless possibilities of learning. They are an example to follow.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR'S RESULTS!

If you like what you see, I  invite you to learn more about St. Ignatius District. Join our winning team.


NOTE: Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students (GEMS) data and Montana Analysis Reporting System data differences. Montana Office of Public Instruction explanation of why the data does not match up.

STRATEGIC PLANNING: Mega Issues Reviewed

Mega issues are issues of strategic importance, which represent choices the school district will need to make in defining the ultimate direction of its long-range plan. These issues represent potential impediments to achievement of the Envisioned Future, and form a basis for dialogue about the choices facing the school district. These questions can serve as an ongoing "menu" of strategic issues that, using a knowledge-based approach in gathering insights relative to St. Ignatius Public Schools’ strategic position and directional choices for each of the issues, can be used by the Board to create regular opportunities for strategic dialogue about the future issues facing the school district.

Note: The mega-issue questions are not necessarily arranged in priority order. 

v Mega-Issue Questions for consideration by the District:

• How can we effectively engage the support of the community to enhance parental support of the educational system and subsequently improve student outcomes?

• How can we broaden the awareness to all employees of the District the importance of delivering a consistent, high quality education to the students regardless of background or capabilities?

• What can we do to encourage and support at-risk students to become fully engaged in (completing) their educational program?

• How do we instill the value of education?

• What can we do to decrease the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATODs)?

• As a district, what do we need to do to stay in front of the continued advancements in technology and science as it pertains to the culture of our students?

• How do we adjust with the possible sequestering of federal funding?

• MEGA ISSUES: Reviewed and updated on February 26, 2013.

Knowledge-Based Decision Making Questions

The Board should prioritize the above-referenced mega issues and decide which of these issues require immediate attention on the part of the Board.  Once the identified mega-issues are prioritized, the Board will set aside time at scheduled meetings to analyze a particular mega issue. At such meetings, the Board's primary focus will be on the mega-issue at hand.  All other business (routine or otherwise) will be conducted at the end of the meeting once the dialogue and deliberation on the mega-issue has been concluded for that meeting.  When analyzing mega issues, the Board will utilize a knowledge-based decision making process.  This will keep the focus of the Board on relevant factors to consider as it develops strategies to overcome particular impediments/barriers that may impact the Board's strategic direction.  The Board will analyze mega-issues by answering the following questions:

1.              What do we know about the wants, needs and preferences of our constituents that are relevant to this decision?

2.              What do we know about the current realities and evolving dynamics facing our constituents/community that is relevant to this decision?

3.              What do we know about the capacity/strategic position of our school district that is relevant to this decision?

4.              What are the ethical implications of our choices?