Public Forum October 28, 2009

1. Public ForumOctober 28, 2009 David W. Wishard GASD Superintendent Hollowing Out the Middle

2. Regional Approach: Catalytic CommunityDevelopment Model “Rural areas will not succeed if they employ “go-it-alone” strategies. Only through cooperation between communities, among interests within communities, and between local governments, NGOs, and the private sector will rural areas be able to prosper in the new millennium.” Source: Brown, D.L., & Swanson, L.E. (Eds.) (2003). Challenges for Rural America in the Twenty-first Century, p. 14, University Park, PA: Penn State University Press. Used with permission by Hobart Harmon, Ph.D.

3. Rural Context(for Linking Education and Economic Development) Success of rural schools and communities are interrelated. Their viability, sustainability, and prosperity are interdependent and greatly depend on cooperative relationships to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Used with permission by Hobart Harmon, Ph.D.

4. Goal Statement One Created at Board of Directors’ Retreat The Galeton Area School District will work to IMPROVE THEIR DISTRICT’S RANKING as evidenced by an increase in PSSA results. • Begin by setting realistic, attainable goals detailing the percentage increase that has been established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education over the next several years. • Review and diagnose PSSA, 4Sight, and PVAAS scores to make sound researched based decisions on teaching content and realigning curriculum.

5. Make a commitment to communicate for understanding and buy in, empower others to act, and produce short-term wins as discussed in Our Iceberg Is Melting (written by John Kotter) to continue to make improvements in our PSSA scores, increase our dual enrollment offerings, and modify curriculum. • Continue to improve the climate of the Galeton Area School District and Create a New Culture (Goal 8 from Our Iceberg Is Melting); a culture that increases academic rigor and educates all (students, parents, teachers, administration, board, and community) about the “bar being raised.”

6. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Year 2002-04 2005-07 2008-10 2011 2012 2013 2014 Percent Proficient 35 45 56 67 78 89 100 In Math Galeton Area School District Scores

7. Scores Comparison

8. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Year 2002-04 2005-07 2008-10 2011 2012 2013 2014 Percent Proficient 45 54 63 72 81 91 100 In Reading Galeton Area School District Scores

9. Scores Comparison

10. Goal Statement Two Created at Board of Directors’ Retreat The Galeton Area School District will continue to WORK WITH THE POTTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS CONSORTIUM to strengthen our academic programs, search for grants opportunities, and reduce operational costs. • Work to meet the goals and objectives of the United States Department of Education (USDE), Improving Literacy through School Libraries, Grant funded for $292,706 during the 2009-10 school year. • Work to meet the goals and objectives of the USDE, Carol M. White, Physical Education Program, Grant funded for $565,164 during the 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 school years.

11. Work to continue to meet and discuss other areas of collaboration that may improve educational offerings and improve service, while reducing operational costs. • Make a commitment to communicate the goals of each of these grants with the students, staff, and public and how these grants will create a cultural change in the Galeton Area School District.

12. Goal Statement Three Created at Board of Directors’ Retreat The Galeton Area School District will continue to SHOW PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY AND COMMITMENT TO ITS BUILDING AND GROUNDS by properly maintaining the building and grounds and collaborating with the Borough of Galeton when possible. • The District will show school pride by having “tiger paw” prints painted on the drive entering the school and having the “tiger paw” prints painted on the athletic field. • The school fascia will be painted in school colors and the maintenance building will receive some needed cosmetic improvements.

13. The District will display not only pride in its school but will also work to show pride in the Nation by upgrading the area around the bus circle, where the United States Flag is displayed daily. • The District will work with the Borough and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to display signs declaring Galeton as the Home of the Tigers and work with the Borough Police Department to ensure the safety of our children entering and leaving school. • The Galeton Area School District will seek costs to improve the functionality of the school generator and see if it is possible to have the generator operate the entire school during a power outage. This will require some collaboration with the Borough and with Potter County EMS.

14. The superintendent, principal, and maintenance supervisor will monitor in the spring the settling of the tennis courts after the winter frost and make recommendations as to how to control the erosion of soil from under the courts. Consultation has been made with the District insurance carrier to review possible options to the fencing and potential placement of drain tile. • The superintendent, principal, and maintenance manager will review the safety and condition of the current playground equipment and make recommendations for equipment and possible relocation of the playground. • The superintendent, principal, and maintenance manager will collect costs of the construction of a new sign at the entrance of the school from Bridge Street. • The superintendent and principal will look at the possibility of restructuring the maintenance department pending possible retirements during the 2009-10 school year.

15. Goal Statement Four Created at Board of Directors’ Retreat The Galeton Area School District will work to IMPROVE OUR RELATIONS WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES BY OFFERING ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES. The Galeton Area School District will make a concerted effort not to duplicate any programs offered by the Potter County Educational Council (PCEC) but will collaborate with the PCEC to advertise and present programs. • The Galeton Area School District will work with the PCEC to offer classes in Nutrition/Wellness; culinary arts classes – cooking healthy and classes on canning.

16. The Galeton Area School District will work with Charles Cole Memorial Hospital to offer the services of an athletic trainer for the Fitness Center if possible. • The Galeton Area School District will work with the Potter County, PA schools to hire a nutritionist (PEP Grant) to conduct lessons on eating healthy and improving the meals we offer to students. • The Galeton Area School District will seek advice from our insurance company and see if it possible to offer adult sports activities on our campus and seek qualified individuals to run these activities. • A survey of potential activities will be distributed throughout the community.

17. Millage Rate2009-2010

18. Homestead Farmstead Numbers • 2008-2009 • Total Amount: $177,143 • Potter County: $222.66 per house/farm • Tioga County: $222.73 per house/farm • 2009-2010 • Total Amount: $177,143 • Potter County: $236.99 per house/farm • Tioga County: $237.22 per house/farm

19. 2009-2010 Dual Enrollment Information Course Title Post Secondary Institution # Credits # Students First Year Experience Corning Community College 3 14 Intro to Sports Medicine Univ. of Pitt. – Bradford 3 12 Composition I Univ. of Pitt. – Bradford 3 25 American Government Pennsylvania Highland CC 3 24

20. “Each rural community and its schools must share a responsibility and take collaborative actions that build community and strengthen positive results for all students to be successful – where community social capital serves the school and the school fosters a sense of place among students, regardless of where they ultimately chose to live.” Harman, H.L., Schafft, K. (2009). Rural school leadership for collaborative community development. The Rural Educator, 30 (3), 4-9. Used with permission by Hobart Harmon, Ph.D.