Columbiana school board gets update on NWEA Growth Maps | News, Sports, Jobs

COLUMBIANA — Columbiana Middle School Principal Jason Martin presented findings from the first year implementing NWEA Growth Maps during the board of education meeting this week.

Utilizing NWEA fills in gaps left by state testing, according to schools Superintendent Donald Mook. The testing is administered three times a year and results are included with student report cards.

Elementary School Principal Kim Sharshan explained the data has created an effective tool for conversation during parent-teacher conferences.

“The high-quality data conversations taking place are awesome,” Sharshan said.

“It looks very user-friendly and great for teachers,” Board Member Michael Clark commented.

Board President Scott Caron said he believes the data enhances teacher accountability and the ability to reach students with learning disabilities.

“It’s just great,” Caron said. “It’s another way our school district is stepping up to ensure success for all of our students going through our district.”

In other matters, the Ohio health department has relieved school districts from the chore of contact tracing Covid cases. Exposure protocols have also changed. New guidelines instruct staff members testing is only mandatory for students exposed to Covid at home.

Parents in need of Covid tests are encouraged to speak with the school nurse and a test will be provided.

In other business, Mook introduced PlayOn Sports headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The media company is proposing providing cameras to the stadiums and gyms in the district. Once installed, the provided Pixellot system will live stream athletic and non-athletic events.

Mook remarked he is not a big fan of broadcasting games due to the potential affect on attendance.

The school district would be required to broadcast all regular sports events in venues where Pixellot systems are installed.

“You want them in the stands,” Board Member Angie Jefferies said.

In other news, High School Principal David Buzzard introduced the Rise Up program to the board. Rise Up claims to provide students learning concepts regarding retail industry fundamentals.

Students would learn about customer service, economic impacts of retail, effective communication and accountability, among with several other workplace readiness concepts.

“It’s very cost efficient. We actually get reimbursed for student testing and we have a teacher to teach it,” Buzzard said.

Columbiana High School would be the second school in the county provided with information on the program.

Buzzard is impressed with the ability to condense a yearlong course into a program capable of being completed in a month.

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