MONROE - Ask and you shall receive - sometimes even more than you expected.
That was the case for Jennifer Thayer, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Monroe school district.
She went into Monday's school board meeting seeking help for a full-time teacher who wanted to be a part-time K-2 reading coach for the district next year.
Her solution was to have the board hire a part-time teacher.
By the end of the meeting, the school board agreed to hire a full-time teacher, giving the district a full-time elementary level reading coach for one year.
Thayer's initial proposal called for adding a half-time elementary teaching position that would job-share with a teacher on staff. That teacher could then devote half of her time to coach K-2 students and teachers.
Coaching is one of the most effective strategies for improving student achievement, Thayer said in her proposal. The coach would help teachers implement the Houghton Mifflin reading curriculum adopted district-wide this year.
However, it's important that the coach is familiar with and respected by staff in order to be effective, Thayer said. That's why she proposed the job-share agreement instead of looking externally for a part-time coach.
A teacher who is highly regarded by parents and staff alike has already been approached and agreed to serve as coach, Thayer said, declining to identify the individual.
In response to board member Bob Erb's concern about possible negative effects on students being taught by two individuals, Thayer said the agreement could work if the district found a high quality teacher.
"If we can't find a top-notch teacher, we won't do it," she said.
Board member Brian Keith also wondered why Thayer sought a part-time, rather than full-time, position.
"I didn't think I dare," she said.
But board members expressed support for extending the coaching position if it meant better implementation of the reading program, and ultimately higher student achievement.
"My feeling is that it's going to create issues," Keith said of the realities of a job-share agreement.
While he said he was leery of adding staff, Keith also noted the district is on solid financial footing - up to $800,000 ahead of budget projections, according to Business Manager Ron Olson. He seconded Erb's motion to amend the proposal and hire a full-time teacher for one year.
Not everyone favored adding the full-time position. Larry Eakins was against adding it because "adding positions piece-meal is bad business." Laurie Genz-Prien and Pam Wyss also voted against the full-time position.
The position will cost the district about $50,000 in salary and benefits. It will be offered as a one-year contract. Thayer said one year of coaching is critical, but it is not looking at the position as being permanent.
The full-time coach will work with K-5, with an emphasis on K-2, she said.
That was the case for Jennifer Thayer, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Monroe school district.
She went into Monday's school board meeting seeking help for a full-time teacher who wanted to be a part-time K-2 reading coach for the district next year.
Her solution was to have the board hire a part-time teacher.
By the end of the meeting, the school board agreed to hire a full-time teacher, giving the district a full-time elementary level reading coach for one year.
Thayer's initial proposal called for adding a half-time elementary teaching position that would job-share with a teacher on staff. That teacher could then devote half of her time to coach K-2 students and teachers.
Coaching is one of the most effective strategies for improving student achievement, Thayer said in her proposal. The coach would help teachers implement the Houghton Mifflin reading curriculum adopted district-wide this year.
However, it's important that the coach is familiar with and respected by staff in order to be effective, Thayer said. That's why she proposed the job-share agreement instead of looking externally for a part-time coach.
A teacher who is highly regarded by parents and staff alike has already been approached and agreed to serve as coach, Thayer said, declining to identify the individual.
In response to board member Bob Erb's concern about possible negative effects on students being taught by two individuals, Thayer said the agreement could work if the district found a high quality teacher.
"If we can't find a top-notch teacher, we won't do it," she said.
Board member Brian Keith also wondered why Thayer sought a part-time, rather than full-time, position.
"I didn't think I dare," she said.
But board members expressed support for extending the coaching position if it meant better implementation of the reading program, and ultimately higher student achievement.
"My feeling is that it's going to create issues," Keith said of the realities of a job-share agreement.
While he said he was leery of adding staff, Keith also noted the district is on solid financial footing - up to $800,000 ahead of budget projections, according to Business Manager Ron Olson. He seconded Erb's motion to amend the proposal and hire a full-time teacher for one year.
Not everyone favored adding the full-time position. Larry Eakins was against adding it because "adding positions piece-meal is bad business." Laurie Genz-Prien and Pam Wyss also voted against the full-time position.
The position will cost the district about $50,000 in salary and benefits. It will be offered as a one-year contract. Thayer said one year of coaching is critical, but it is not looking at the position as being permanent.
The full-time coach will work with K-5, with an emphasis on K-2, she said.