Klog

The Longview School Board took formal action last night to submit a School Improvement Grant for Monticello Middle School, applying for $1.5 million in Federal money, intended to help improve academic achievement at the school. School Board President Jennifer Leach says that the grant requires the district to take some drastic action, but she also says this is a great chance for the school. The district has to submit the competitive grant application by tomorrow, pledging to take the “transformation” track for school improvement. That requires replacement of the principal, improving instructional strategies and professional development, identifying and rewarding staff that’s doing well, and supporting those who are not. Some of the instruction improvements include development of an “action planning process,” increasing the length of the school day, mandatory summer school, Saturday School, after-school learning opportunities, and increased community outreach. In that regard, Superintendent Suzanne Cusick is meeting with several Monticello parents at a Community Meeting set for 7 pm tonight, being held at a private home on 22nd Avenue, and a series of Community Forums are planned for next month. District officials say that they should know about the grant award by the end of this month.