By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A Review Team Report for the Quality Assurance Review of Hartselle City Schools from May 3-6 was circulated at a regular meeting of the school board on June 15.
Copies of the written document were provided for board members, administrators, central office staff and media representatives.
In addition, a copy was made available at the central office for public use.
The contents of the report reflect the observations and recommendations of the review team charged with the responsibility of evaluating Hartselle’s schools’ application for District Accreditation as a Quality School System through SACS CASI and AdvancED
Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed used a power point presentation to focus attention on the report. He said he was told by review team chairman Dr. Hugh L. Dickens that Hartselle’s nine commendations were the most a team he has served on has awarded over a 20-year period.
AdvancED President and CEO Mark A. Elgart, Ed.D. stated in a cover letter addressed to Dr. Reed, “I commend and congratulate you, the professional staff, the board of education and stakeholders throughout the community on this achievement to be awarded District Accreditation as a Quality School System. SACS CASI and AdvancED look forward to our continuing association with the Hartselle City Schools and our partnership to improve student learning through accreditation.”
The accreditation review team gave Hartselle Schools nine commendations, as follows:
Three recommendations for improvement were made, as follows:
The QAR team found a pervasive understanding among both internal and external stakeholder groups of the priority need for additional and updated building facilities to accommodate increased student enrollments, course offerings and support services. However, voters recently failed to approve a bond referendum needed to finance these much-needed facilities. Research findings and experience strongly support the positive impact of adequate physical facilities on student outcomes. Thus, it is imperative that the district experience success in improving facilities if it is to maintain and enhance its traditional reputation for excellence.
Two years from now the school district will be required to submit a progress report to AdvancED detailing the actions and progress it has made on the review team’s recommendations. The report is reviewed at state and national levels to ensure the district is addressing the recommendations.