Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) reports were presented by Jennifer Yankey, Language Arts Specialist, at the Bell County School Board meeting on Monday. The overall ranking showed that Bell Central school ranked first in the district in each subject.

The data showed that 54 percent of the school are reading on grade-level and 51 percent of the school is completing math on grade-level. In language, general science and concepts/processes, 60 percent or more students in the school are on grade-level.

Pending on the subject, a wide variety of schools to second place in the district rankings. Yellow Creek had the second highest overall ranking in ranking in both reading and language. Lone Jack took second place in math, while Right Fork and Frakes took second in general science and concepts/processes, respectively.

MAP assessments are adaptive achievement tests in math, reading, language usage and science. According to the Northwest Evaluation Association website, districts have the option of testing their students up to four times a year.

During the meeting, the board also approved motions to recreate two positions. The first position was the Federal Income Verification Specialist/Community Education Coordinator position.

The position carries a salary of $27,048. The Department of Education pays $20,000 of the salary with a $5,000 match. According to Bell County Superintendent Yvonne Gilliam, it will only cost the district $2,048.

The position was previously vacated by Steve Abbott.

The second position that was recreated was a rotating teacher position. An individual was previously employed in the position, but that individual was hired at Page School Center. Now with the position vacated, the board has decided to continue using the position for the district. The position is a districtwide position.

Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at 606-248-1010, ext. 208