August 23, 2011

Dear Parents and Community Members:

We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for the Otsego Public School District and our schools.  The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and some requirements of state laws; however, our staff is available to help you understand this information.  Please contact Otsego Public Schools for help if you need assistance.

You may review a copy of the district AER at Central Office; a copy of each school’s AER is available in their respective offices.

The report contains the following information:

Student Assessment Data − Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), Michigan Merit Exam (MME), and Michigan’s Alternative Assessment Program (MI-Access)

• Presents achievement data for English language arts and mathematics for grades 3 to 8 (MEAP), for grade 11 (MME) and science for grades 5 and 8 compared to targets for all students as well as subgroups of students
• Provides achievement data for English language arts, mathematics and science for students with significant disabilities (MI-Access) compared to targets for all students with disabilities as well as subgroups of students
• Helps readers understand achievement progress within schools and compare these to district and state achievement

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – Detail Data and Status

Provides information from assessments, graduation and attendance rates and AYP status in relation to four criteria:

• The district must test 95% of students in total and in each required subgroup
• The district must attain achievement goals in English language arts and mathematics or reduce the percentage of students in the non-proficient category of achievement significantly ("safe harbor") annually
• The district must attain achievement goals for each subgroup that has at least 30 students in the group
• The district must meet or exceed the other academic indicators set by the state: graduation rate for high schools and attendance rate for elementary and middle schools

Teacher Quality Data

• Identifies teacher qualifications at district and school levels
• Reports percentage of core academic classes taught by teachers not considered highly qualified to teach such classes

NAEP Data (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

• Provides state results of the national assessment in mathematics and reading every other year in grades 4 and 8
• Cannot be compared with MEAP results for grades 4 and 8 because there are no national standards
• Otsego students were not among the groups taking this test

Click here for the complete report of the above data.

For 2010-2011, Otsego Public Schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in English language arts and mathematics; however, all schools in the district did not make AYP.  Below, you will find a list of the schools not making AYP, the reasons for not making AYP and a summary of the actions underway to improve.  The principal has a letter and school specific AER that will help answer your questions.  This is also posted on the district’s website.

As we look toward the 2011-12 school year, we are working, as we do each year, to improve the learning experiences for every Otsego student. These AER numbers district-wide show that four of our five buildings, and our alternative high school, all met AYP this year, and the middle school met AYP in math. I believe our Response to Intervention measures in this area and other outlying factors, will positively impact OMS scores and the school will get back to its tradition of meeting AYP at the close of the 2011-12 school year even as federal standards climb. Otsego offers a well-rounded education to every child it serves, and works to help each one succeed. I look forward to a great year in Otsego.

Sincerely,

Denny Patzer
Superintendent

District Overview

Enrollment

Alamo Elementary School..................................................... 256                 
Dix Street Elementary........................................................... 383
Washington Street Elementary.............................................. 425
Otsego Middle School........................................................... 522
Otsego High School............................................................... 694

Total enrollment for 2010-11: ............................................... 2280

Certified Teaching Staff

Alamo Elementary School..................................................... 23
Dix Street Elementary........................................................... 26
Washington Street Elementary.............................................. 26
Otsego Middle School........................................................... 33
Otsego High School............................................................... 42

Total Teaching Staff.............................................................. 150
Total Other Staff................................................................... 85

Strategic Plan for 2010-13

Vision

• Otsego Public Schools ~ Linking Students to the World

Mission Statement

• The Otsego Public Schools will provide a challenging academic experience in a safe environment; develop individual talents, promote unity among a diverse student population and create partnerships within the community.

Goals

Goal 1: Curriculum and Student Learning
Supporting Statement:

• Deliver a rigorous diverse curriculum

Objectives:

• Align curriculum to State Standards and Benchmarks and to reflect State Graduation Requirements
• Base curriculum and assessment decisions on individual and aggregate data
• Provide a fine arts curriculum at all grade levels
• Provide academic and program opportunities for all levels and styles of learners
• Implement alternative methods of curriculum delivery pre-K to grade 12
• Continue to develop business partnerships to provide career exploration opportunities
• Incorporate character education into the entire learning community
• Provide for a variety of extra-curricular activities, ranging across varied areas of interest and ability

Goal 2: Marketing
Supporting Statement:

• Market the Otsego Public Schools to promote the growth and stability of the district

Objectives:

• Develop and implement a marketing plan
• Maximize internal and external communications to celebrate achievements and inform the community
• Promote community use of district facilities
• Redesign website
• Continue with Superintendent podcasts
• Utilize social networking in communications.

Goal 3: Technology
Supporting Statement:

• Pursue leading edge technology for OPS

Objectives:

• Maintain the District Technology Plan in accordance with State Guidelines
• Develop continuous evaluation of technology implementation
• Integrate technology into instructional practice
• Develop a funding model for technology that incorporates Total Cost of Ownership
• Provide staff support for current and future technology
• Develop yearly budget for technology
• Present annual technology status/vision report to Board

Goal 4: Resource Management
Supporting Statement:

• Ensure efficient resources management

Objectives:

• Design annual budgets to maximize fiscal resources
• Maintain a general fund balance above MASB recommended level
• Maximize innovative revenue and cost savings opportunities
• Hire and develop highly qualified effective staff
• Provide professional development opportunities for staff
• Maintain quality of district facilities

Alamo Elementary School

Mission Statement

The faculty and staff at Alamo Elementary School provide a quality education for all students in an environment that encourages the discovery and development of skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning. Parents and community members are encouraged to join us in this endeavor.

Principal…………………………………………. Mrs. Melissa Koenig
Grades Served……………………………………          K-5
Total Number of Certified Teachers……………..           23
Total Number of other staff………………………   10
Highly Qualified Teachers………………………..   100%
Enrollment………………………………………..           256

Dix Street Elementary

Mission Statement:
Dix Street Elementary School dedicates itself to prepare the whole child for success through quality education in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. We strive for the students to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners, who think, reason and solve problems. Through a partnership of students, parents and the community, we can achieve this mission.

Principal…………………………………………. Mr. Mark D. Rollandini, PhD.
Grades Served…………………………………...          ECSE, K-5
Total Number of Certified Teachers…………….            26
Total Number of Certified Ancillary Staff……… 4
Total Number of Certified Guidance Counselors.. 1
Total Number of Other Staff…………………….   17
Enrollment……………………………………….            383

Washington Street Elementary

Mission Statement:
The staff at Washington Street Elementary School believes all children can learn and become positive, contributing members of their community. It is our goal to provide a safe environment which focuses on academic achievement and enhances the physical, social and emotional growth of our students. We encourage parents and community members to join us in the responsibility of fostering positive self concepts and behaviors in pursuit of this mission.

Principal........................................................................          Mrs. Heather Badders
Grades Served...............................................................          K-5
Total Number of Certified Teachers.............................         26
Total Number of Other Staff........................................          27
Highly Qualified Teachers............................................          100%
Enrollment....................................................................          425

Otsego Middle School

Mission Statement

Our mission at Otsego Middle School is to serve the community by helping our students develop socially and emotionally while becoming life-long enthusiastic learners.  This will be accomplished by creating an environment in which all students, regardless of learning style, can find success.

Principal…………………………………………….……………………..William D. Houseman
Grades served………………………………………………………………………………….6-8
Total Number of Certified Teachers……………………………………………………………33
Total Number of Ancillary Staff……………………………………………………………….11
Highly Qualified Teachers……………………………………………………………………100%
Enrollment…………………………………………………………………………………….522

Otsego High School

Mission Statement:

The mission of Otsego High School, in partnership with students, parents, and the community, is to create an engaging learning environment that supports the full potential of each student.

Principal................................................................................. Hervé Dardis
Assistant Principal.................................................................. Heather Kortlandt
Director of Athletics.............................................................. John Kubiak
Number of Certified Teachers............................................... 42
Highly Qualified Teachers..................................................... 100%
Number of Other Staff........................................................... 20
Enrollment............................................................................. 694