A plan outlining the different phases of construction for the new Nitschmann MS was introduced during the BASD School Board meeting Oct. 8.

The plan provides goals to be met during each phase and gives the dates in which the work for that phase should be completed. Some of the areas in the plan include a concept design phase, schematic design phase, design development phase, construction document phase, and more.

"Looking down the road, this is outlining the design", said Mark Stein, district facilities director.

In other news the board started gathering information needed to formulate an updated capital improvement plan, which is looked at every November. Stein presented information to show where the facilities department currently stands and commented on a course of action to complete necessary projects while staying within the budget.

Stein said he feels that overall across the board the district is in good shape when it comes to its buildings. He also said that he wants to focus on keeping the $25 million backlog manageable. Around $2 million a year is needed to invest in the buildings. He is also updating a 10 year plan.

"We were fortunate over the last 20 years with our construction projects (we) lived off lending. (We) still need a game plan for the next 10 years," said Dr. Roy, district superintendent.

Dr. Jack Silva, superintendent of curriculum, presented the BASD Pennsylvania School Performance Profile. This profile provides schools with core learning data related to school growth and achievement on state tests.

Silva said the core area of achievement is the greatest challenge and that the growth numbers for the BASD schools were better than the achievement numbers.

"Growth is what we are really after," said Silva.

He went on to say BASD schools hit most of the growth targets.

Director Eugene McKeon asked Silva if there was an action plan for some of the schools and if the district looking at old plans to see results.

Silva informed him that yes they were and that there is new data available every year.

Roy added the score recieved was a 70, which is a good threshold. "We are moving in the right direction".

There also was some discussion on the emphasis placed on test scores to measure student growth. Many board members disagree with placing so much importance on the tests and the scores produced from the tests.

Director Aurea Ortiz asked Silva if there was a way to measure student growth in a holistic way.

Silva responded, "In my view it is good to have a lot of data. Data we receive tends to focus on one area; it doesn't give us a chance to show the rest".

While Director Basilio Bonilla Jr. said, "It makes no sense to base learning on a test".

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Education Center, 1516 Sycamore Street, Oct. 14.