With the vision of becoming a “world class model,” Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Constant and other officials loosely discussed a strategic plan regarding how the district can keep improving in all aspects during Thursday’s Board of Education work session.
“OPS has all the pieces to become what I call a world class model,” Constant said. “I’ve been here 12 years, and I have certainly noticed and noted how well we do a lot of things.”
No action was taken, nor were any recommendations made. Instead, Constant said the work session was an informative presentation to help the board look to the future “where we can vision out what the next five or so years should look like at OPS.”
He detailed three “pieces of the puzzle” that OPS can focus on: data-driven statistical analysis, equity plan, and strategic plan.
He said it was important to both look “in the rearview mirror” and then try to look forward to see how to improve.
“Then we can put the resources behind getting to that vision,” Contant said. “We ask classroom teachers all the time to come up with goals and measurable objectives for their students. We need to have those for us as well. A strategic plan will hold us honorable and accountable to those.”
Enrollment patterns/projections
George Powell, Director of Student Services, said enrollment has grown roughly 8-9% over the last 10 years — up to more than 5,000 total students (though the number dipped slightly below that last year due to the pandemic).
“The work you’re doing is important because we continue to grow,” Powell said. “And I think a lot of our programs and a lot of the way that we draw people to this district is because of what we offer.”
Powell said with the district being “landlocked” and now new major subdivisions being built, “it’s going to bring a huge influx of people into our district.”
Instead, Powell said to continue to grow enrollment OPS must find ways to attract non-residents to the district.
Currently, about 17% of total student enrollment — an average of about 800 students K-12 — consists of children not residing in the OPS limits.
“That’s a significant portion of our student population,” he said. “And a lot of them are drawn to us because of our program and the things that we offer. This work that you do as far as the vision for how we go forward, will have an impact on kids deciding whether they’re going to go here or stay in their home district.”
Special Education
Kim Johnson, OPS Director of Special Education, said as of Dec. 31, 2020, there were 832 IDEA eligible students (18.7% of enrollment). She said the number typically stays around 15%. However, when the overall enrollment dropped a bit last year, the number of students with disabilities stayed steady.
Johnson said in the last 10 years, OPS had an increase of 106 IDEA eligible students. She noted a 10.5% increase in students with specific learning disabilities, and a 3.8% increase in students with autism.
She said her staff is continuously working on programs to assist students of all needs and abilities, but transiency plays a big factor from year to year. On average, OPS has 150 students who move into the district in a school year with an Individualized Educational Plan.
She provided an example of having to develop concentrated programming at Cravens Elementary School for three students who were deaf, but two are no longer in the district.
“A small change like that can make a big difference in our programming,” she said.
Johnson said they continue to expand upon the numerous services at schools of all levels — such as intensive behavior supports; highly structured classrooms for students with significant cognitive, social, or communication challenges; instructional support in the general education classrooms; among other specialty services.
“I feel like we’ve made some changes in the last few years that are going to serve us well over time, and we’re excited to actually see some of those things in place,” Johnson said.
English Language learners
Under the current model, English Language learners at the elementary level are assigned to one of three schools that offer support services — or the family can decline those services and keep their children in the school closest to their home.
In order to receive EL support services, any EL student on the east side can attend Estes; in the Foust zone can attend there; and on the west side but outside the Foust zone can attend Cravens.
Last year 74 EL students attended Estes, 92 went to Foust, and 62 went to Cravens. Despite not receiving services, eight EL students attended Newton Parrish and four went to Sutton.
Steve Bratcher, OPS Chief Academic Officer, said the numbers won’t change much for next year.
Bratcher and Constant both suggested the board consider offering services at each school so families can send their children to whichever one is in their neighborhood.
“But what concerns me is we’ve got families that want to go to the closest school — and will even decline services to help them better master the English language — in order to stay at their neighborhood school.”
Facilities
Chris Bozarth, OPS Director of Maintenance & Technology, said they’ve made great progress on updating aging facilities and also detailed what the next major projects should be.
Items completed or in progress since December 2018 include:
- Cravens remodel
- Innovation campus remodel
- Newton Parrish remodel
- Foust restrooms
- Sutton remodel
- HVAC and energy upgrades throughout the district
In no particular order, Bozarth said the largest upcoming needs are:
- Owensboro Middle School (roofing, HVAC, flooring, windows, doors, insulation, restrooms)
- Estes (renovation or possible replacement)
- Security (access control to all exterior doors, camera upgrades and additions)
- Athletic Needs
- Owensboro High School (remodel oldest section of building)
- Replace restrooms and Parrish, Sutton, Hager
