Q. How did St. Johns County Schools perform on the state school grades this year?
A. We have received school grades and all the backup data that accompanies them. We are tied for first place in the state with Nassau County, based on percentage of achievement points we earned. However, they earned eight more points than we did, so they can actually claim first place.
Q. How did Nassau County earn those extra points?
A. What is interesting is how they earned the extra points – by encouraging their students to take higher level courses. One of the twelve elements of the school or district grade is the number of acceleration points earned. These points are earned when students take and pass high school courses while in middle school (algebra 1, geometry, biology), by taking advanced placement, IB, AICE, or dual enrollment courses, or by earning industry certification.
Q. What is St. Johns County doing to improve in this area?
A. Our district has analyzed the data to understand how we can do better in this area. We found that 400 middle school students who scored at the highest levels on state testing were not going on to take advanced math courses that earned the points. We are going to focus on these students, challenging them to reach higher since they have demonstrated that they are prepared to do so. We are also going to require that all our high school students take at least one course in their 9-12 years that will earn an acceleration point. This will yield dividends both for the student, who will be better prepared for college and career, and for the district grade.
Q. What is the current budget situation for the district?
A. It is budget time across our state. Budget hearings will be held in Aug. and September and the final budget will be adopted in September. When we compare the dollars we receive with the dollars that we have to spend, we find ourselves with a slight negative balance. We are very grateful to you, the voter, for approving the millage referendum.
Q. How are the millage referendum funds being used?
A. Eighty-five percent of these dollars are going directly into compensation increases for our employees. The remaining fifteen percent is allowing us to make up enough of our budget deficit to protect our schools. These will not be staff or programming reductions, thanks to those extra dollars. Superintendent Asplen plans to make cuts at the district office level to cover the remainder of the shortfall.
Q. What is the status of the new Hallowes Cove Academy?
A. Our beautiful new K-8 school, Hallpwes Cove Academy, is ready to receive students on Aug. 11. We are excited that construction is on time and very pleased with the new school. Parents and students have been receiving information from Principal Hathaway about everything they need to know for a smooth first day. We are excited to welcome the Hurricanes to St. Johns County Schools.
Q. What should parents do if they haven’t enrolled their student yet?
A. If you have not enrolled your student yet, please do so right away. Numbers of students drive numbers of teachers, and we want to be prepared on Aug. 11.
