School District Administrator Reports That Hudson Schools Scored In Top 20 Percent on WKCE Tests

At its regular monthly meeting at River Crest Elementary School on Tuesday, May 10, the Hudson Board of Education heard a presentation on the district's overall performance in the annual Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations (WKCE). Every grade that participated in the exam scored above the state average.

The 10th grade class at Hudson High School ranked 12th on the exam among 57 high schools with a enrollment of 300 or more students in 10th grade.

Director of Learning Services Sandi Kovatch noted that this ranking was "only among comparable schools, and our ranking puts us in about the top 20 percent."

Eighth graders at the middle school were ranked second among middle schools with more than 250 students in the eighth grade class.

Although the content and length of the exam vary by grade, the WKCE tests on general knowledge of subjects such as reading, math, language arts, science and social studies. The examinations are administered ever year, and are required by the No Child Left Behind act.

Kovatch also commented that "it's important for our parents to know that their child's day-to-day progress in the classroom is a much better measure of their child's growth and performance."

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Other school board news:

• Elected board officers for the Board of Education. Barb Van Loenen was re-elected as board president, Tom Holland was re-elected as vice president, Dan Tjornehoj was re-elected as clerk and Lynn Robson was elected as treasurer.
• Raised facilities, athletic and activities fees across the board.
• Recognized the Hudson Forensics Team for . The team had 15 perfect scores at the competition. Also, all 33 of the team members participated in the state competition.
• Recognized the Hudson Cheer and Stunt Team for being selected for the 2011 Jaci Kosin Sportsmanship Award.
• Acknowledged the recent national recognition of Hudson High School biology team for best practices.
• Recognized the Global Connections program for it's success.
• Heard a presentation on the Hudson Middle School "One Book, One School" anti-bullying initiative.
• Approved payment of expenditures totalling $2,023,591.19.
• Approved youth options requests for 11th and 12th graders  for the first semester of 2011-12.
• Approved renewal of the district's Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association membership for 2011-12.
• Local resident Bob Muchlinsky expressed his frustration with the board during the open comments period. Muchlinsky was upset that the district had sent 14 counselors to a conference in Stevens Point last February, at the cost of $4,300. Muchlinsky questioned whether this expense was necessary when "the art department has lost a third of their supply budget over the last three years." Several board members responded to his comment expressing their support to send these counselors to this annual conference.