The Whitehall-Coplay School District discussed the comprehensive school plan during its Education/Student Activities Committee meeting Sept. 22.

Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Lorie Hackett presented the information.

"This is a six-year strategic plan that is due every six years and has to be put on display for 30 days for the public and approved by the board," Hackett said.

The plan needs to be approved by Nov. 30, but the district put it on the agenda for its Nov. 10 meeting.

The plan includes the district's mission statement which is "to serve its diverse community by providing educational opportunities designed to challenge students to strive for personal excellence and responsible citizenship."

The plan also includes the district's vision and shared values, such as developing understanding, respect and appreciation for others in today's society.

Three goals were presented to the board. One goal is to "establish a district system that fully ensures consistent implementations of effective instructional practices across all classrooms in each school."

To achieve this goal the district will use common grade assessment within grade and subject, professional development and curriculum mapping, among other things.

Goal two is to "establish a district system that fully ensures students who are academically at risk are identified early and are supported by a process that provides interventions based upon student needs and includes procedures for monitoring effectiveness."

To achieve this goal, the district plans to use after school programs, dropout prevention expansion and a credit recovery program, along with other strategies.

Goal three is to "establish a district system that fully ensures staff members in every school use standards aligned assessments to monitor student achievement and adjust instructional practices."

The district plans to use common assessment within grade and subject, instructional conversations and professional development, among other strategies, to achieve this goal.

Hackett said the plan will be on display in the district office for 30 days for the public to view.

During the operations/transportation committee meeting, which met the same night, Superintendent John Corby brought up improvements to the safety and security of the campus.

"This is a staple on the committee meeting agenda," Corby said.

Although the district has used outside resources, Corby has involved Richard Legath and Phil Bankos of buildings and grounds. Corby said although the campus is safe, there is always room for improvement.

After the committee meeting, Corby called an executive session that lasted more than an hour.

Some teachers, members of the Whitehall-Coplay Education Association, were present at the meeting, and Corby made a statement before going into executive session.

"This board has never violated the Sunshine Law," he said. "Every time we have executive sessions it has been on the next board meeting's agenda and approved, with the reasons. Tonight's session is for legal, contract and personnel matters."

During the finance committee meeting, Business Manager Michael Malay informed the board about new pension reporting requirements.

Malay said that the new reporting requirements could make it difficult for the district to borrow money.

"Although the state has presented this to us, they have no idea what kind of impact it will have," he said. "The document only says it 'could' impact the schools."