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Study identifies Leetonia schools as ‘high quality’

LEETONIA–The Leetonia school district was once again identified as a “high quality” district by the Fordham Institute.

School Superintendent Rob Mehno reported the results at the school board meeting Thursday night, noting this is the second consecutive year the district has attained the honor. The Fordham Insititute analyzes the state test results of all 608 public school districts in Ohio, this year using two methods to determine “high quality” districts, he said.

Using the same method as last year, the institute used a combination of value added data (at least a B) and the performance index (at least a C) for the 2016 state assessments. Leetonia earned a C in performance index and A in value added, which measures the growth of students each year.

In the other method the institute examined the value added data for the past three years, recognizing as “high quality” those districts that earned an A on value added ratings at least two of the past three years with at least a C or better the remaining year. Leetonia earned an A all three years, one of only 7 percent of all districts to do so, Mehno noted.

Mehno acknowledged studies that have correlated student achievement measures (indicators met and performance index) with demographics such as poverty level and population. He pointed out one study in particular conducted by Warren Local Superintendent Kyle Newton which found no districts with more than 18 percent poverty level (83 percent of districts) earned an A on indicators met, while the only two districts to earn an A on performance index had extremely low poverty and ranked near the top in property value.

Other statistics of note in the study included:

–None of the 100 poorest schools, by property valuation, received above a D in indicators met.

–No Rural High Poverty Districts received anything higher than a D on indicators met.

–Only 3 percent of Rural Districts received an A or B in indicators met.

–No Small Town High Poverty Districts received anything higher than a D on indicators met.

–Only 4 percent of Small Town Districts received a B on Indicators Met, and no small town district received a A.

–All but one A for Indicators Met was received by a Suburban District. There are No High Poverty or Medium Poverty Districts with the Suburban District typology.

–All but one Urban District received an F on indicators met. One received a D.

“However, the value added measure indicates student growth and does not correlate with demographics,” Mehno explained.

Mehno gave credit for the achievement to the faculty and staff at the K-12 campus and said he appreciates the validation that the teachers are doing an exceptional job with the students.

“Our teachers provide a high quality education each day. The rigorous instruction and high expectations as well as the compassionate and nurturing environment is always present in the classrooms, hallways and lunchroom at Leetonia,” he said. “Parents know when a student enters a grade level that [the student is]going to grow because our teachers work directly with them.”

Also at the meeting, Mehno reported the buildings and ground committee will meet soon to discuss the House Bill 264 energy project being proposed in three phases–interior lighting and systems, exterior lighting and controls. Representatives of H.E.A.T. Total Facilities Solution Inc. shared with the board last month how the district can save money in utilities, presenting a plan outline that shows a total 15-year savings of $1.28 million dollars–$600,000 of which would be to the general fund. The total project cost would be just over $612,000 with financing, but the district would experience payback in 6.93 years.

Mehno said there are currently 18 lights burnt out in the parking lots, but that he believes the district needs to wait to replace them until after a decision is made on the comprehensive energy project.

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