New Bremen students do well on tests

NEW BREMEN - District students performed well on the 2015-2016 state tests, elementary principal Diane Kramer said at Tuesday's school board meeting.

Students in grades 3-8 were tested in science, math, English and social studies. In each case, the students scored well above the state average, she said. Especially of note, the math scores for all of the grade levels ranged from 85 percent to 94 percent passage rate. In comparison, the state average ranged from 51 percent to 69 percent.

Middle school principal Jason Schrader said administrators may need to add more advanced math classes since many students scored in the accelerated and advanced levels.

"We may need two sections of advanced seventh-grade math and algebra in the future," he said.

Some students also may be ready to take algebra in the seventh grade and geometry as eighth-graders, he added.

Community member Brian Alig and athletic director Gary Jones reported the Cardinal Booster Center improvements are complete. The original $100,000 fundraising goal is $40,000 shy of being complete. Jones said $100 annual memberships to the CBC are being offered to district residents. Membership information is available on the district website, he said, noting student activities would always have scheduling priority.

Board members also,

• hired Jordyn Trabue as high school English teacher. She comes to the district with two years of experience.

• changed the status of Shannon Heckman from part-time learning lab instructor to full-time business teacher. She will replace Jill Ahlers who will become the new district treasurer.

• approved paying tuition reimbursement for continuing education classes taken by Ahlers during the 2015-2016 year.

• approved the depository agreement with US Bank for five years beginning Sept. 1 and contracts with Nickels Bakery and Reinhard Dairy for the school year.

• heard high school principal Brian Pohl praise the maintenance staff, noting "all the schools look great" in preparation for the first day of classes Aug. 24.

• heard Pohl commend the New Bremen FFA chapter led by Maria Homan. The group has been recognized as being in the top 5 percent of U.S. chapters. Mitchell Kramer was named as a national finalist in the swine proficiency award. He is slated to compete at the national convention in October.

• recognized the contributions of 12 volunteers with fall extracurricular activities: band, golf and football. Nearly 120 high school students are involved in a fall sport or band. Nearly 100 junior high students are expected to participate.