Superintendent's Message for February 2020

The Iowa Department of Education released the Iowa School Performance Profiles for school districts this
week. The Performance Profile is a report card for each building to show their performance in the past school
year. Our administration team looks at the results and sets new goals for the next year to improve our
performance in our buildings and the instruction we provide our students. The rating levels are exceptional,
high performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement, and priority. Some of the categories used
for scoring are proficient reading, proficient math, growth in reading, growth in math, culture of learning,
graduate rate, staff turnover, and several other categories.
Last year, we had two schools that fell in the acceptable range, one that fell in the needs improvement and
one school that was labeled as a priority school. The Enarson Elementary building received a priority school
rating and was required to attend trainings and make a plan to improve their rating. Principal Alaina Lundgren
and her staff worked very hard last year and continue to work hard every day to provide the best opportunities
for our students. This year they received an acceptable rating, which is an outstanding accomplishment. They
will continue to work hard to reach our district-wide goal of commendable or above for every building.
This year the high school has dropped to a priority school. This was not a huge surprise to me considering we
were not moving in the right direction last year. Principal Anthony Donahoo and the high school staff have
worked extremely hard this year to prepare and change the climate of the high school. From grade checks,
class-offering changes, no cell phones in class, and teaching to the bell, they were working hard for a better
score before they even knew the 2019 rating. The staff at the high school are moving in the right direction and
the students have responded. The goal for 2020 is to return to an acceptable rating. We will get there by
students and staff working together to be great.
Corning Elementary was a building that needed a new leader that could make an impact immediately. In 2019,
the district hired Allison Thomas and she went to work on changing the climate and the expectations. The
building received a 47.77 last year, receiving a needs improvement rating. They meet in professional learning
communities (PLCs) weekly and hold each child accountable for their education. The building has a new feel
and the staff has done an excellent job of responding to the 2018 rating, which has resulted in an acceptable
rating this year. But, they are far from finished and are already making goals to get to the commendable rating
in 2020!
Southwest Valley Middle School dropped a little from the 2018 score but still remains at an acceptable rating.
The leadership has changed mid-year and the new interim principal, Lee Haidsiak has been changing the
culture and the accountability of the students this month. The goal for this building will be to continue
working hard to attain a commendable rating for 2020. The new principal will be expected to continue moving
the staff and students in a positive manner.
The School Performance Profile is a once a year snapshot of the individual buildings but does not take into
account the day to day successes and failures a building experiences. We have come a long way in a year and
the administration team is a completely new team compared to two years ago. We meet monthly to discuss
our district and constantly communicate with one another to support each building. We realize that each
building feeds the other buildings and we share successes and failures together.
Southwest Valley School district is a great place to educate your child. We continue to work to find the best
ways to reach all of our students. Every student succeeds is a great goal for all students. As leaders, we have
to find how each child will succeed. Mandates and tests will always be a part of the American education
system and SWV will strive to meet these mandates, but we also focus on developing a well-rounded person
that will succeed in society.