Pleasant Valley School District reading supervisor Keri Ramsay and her staff of literacy coaches gave a progress report on the work in the district.

"Each building has a literacy coach, and the high school also has a technology coach," Ramsay said. "We start out in the spring by doing a needs assessment by building. The coaches then support the teachers to help implement the programs and set goals. This year we are focusing on literacy in the special subjects such as the sciences and social studies."Ramsay said the coaches meet with the teachers, work on a model lesson, observe the teachers and collect information and then reflect on their observations."The reflection plays a major role in building effective teachers," Ramsay said. "Our teachers are incredible; they are excited and cooperative."The program also uses peer visits, where teachers observe each other and learn from their observations.The literacy coaches are available to the teachers throughout the school year and take part in the in-service days as well.Tim McCutchan, the technology coach for the high school, explained that to some teachers, technology in the classroom can be a distraction, so it is his job to show how technology can fit in seamlessly, not replacing existing tools, but taking teaching and learning to a different level."An iPad is great for taking notes, but you can use paper for that," McCutchan said. "It's learning how to use the iPad interactively that takes it to the next level."McCutchan talked about the use of Google Apps for Education and how they allow students to collaborate in and out of the classroom.Other businessAlso on the agenda at last week's meeting was a possible change in the manner in which the valedictorian and salutatorian are chosen.A while back, school board member Linda Micklos had asked how the two were chosen and if it was the same in other districts. High school principal John Gress made some inquiries of other schools in the area."Ten schools replied to my request for information," Gress said. "Of those responding, seven use the same method as we do, which is calculated using the grade points averages at the end of the third marking period. Two of the schools wait until after the fourth marking period and hand calculate the final numbers for the top 10 students. The valedictorian and salutatorian are notified a few days before graduation. The last school does not recognize a valedictorian or salutatorian."Gress said he did not think that it would be that difficult to change to waiting until after finals, but noted that the principals of the schools that are using that method did use the word "stressful" in their discussions.Gress also said he did not think that it would affect much else stating that the high school would still have the awards ceremony based on third marking period grades, but that valedictorian and salutatorian would not be announced until graduation. The students would be notified a few days before so that they could prepare and so that the programs could be printed with the correct information.Assistant to the superintendent Kenneth Newman suggested that the board consider both options and in January decide which method would be used for the 2016-17 school year. No change would be considered for the current year."Just remember that if we have a really bad winter and finals get pushed out, we could be having finals on Wednesday and graduation on Friday. We would have to push graduation out a week to allow time to do this correctly," Newman said.In other business the board voted to upgrade the controllers and software for the HVAC systems at a cost of $305,500.The board also said goodbye to director Dominic Sacci. He did not run for re-election to the board this year but did not rule out running again in the future."It is very different looking in from the outside or looking at things from where I sit now," Sacci said. "It is easy to criticize from out there, but if you want to really know what is going on, you have to take the time to get involved. I have a much greater appreciation for this board and this school district having seen it from this side."Sacci was given a certificate of appreciation and a letterman's blanket by the board."Thanks. I will be thinking of you all on Thursday nights when I am wrapped up in this blanket watching 'Scandal,' " Sacci quipped.