Tipton to incorporate mentoring program

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By Helen Smith | Friday, August 15, 2008 11:40 PM CDT | () comments

TIPTON, Iowa — Teacher mentoring will be emphasized this year at Tipton High School.

Principal Chris Habben told the school board a plan prepared by curriculum coordinator Dawn Siech provides mentors for experienced teachers who are new hires. Habben thinks it will strengthen the program by providing more accountability and structure. A mentoring program has been in place for several years for beginning teachers.

After discussion Monday night, the board agreed to offer $500 a year to two teachers who will be assigned to help two newly hired experienced teachers become acquainted with the school and district goals. Superintendent Dick Grimoskas said mentoring of experienced teachers would not be as intense as that for beginning teachers. Mentors for beginning teachers receive training and are paid $1,000 a year. The expanded program will be evaluated at the end of the school year.

Grimoskas reported that the district was in much better financial shape at the end of the fiscal year than anticipated beacuse of lower expenses and higher revenues than projected. The district saved $150,000 to $160,000 in unused special education money, even though a new bus was bought. Increased enrollment in special education a year ago caused a deficit of $123,000 that year. Extra revenue included $37,000 for out-of-district special education students, $25,000 for open enrollment tuition and sales tax revenue that topped the estimated $160,000 by $15,000.

Elementary Principal Lori Foley reported six applicants for a tuition-based preschool program she developed. Eight students will be accepted this year for 4- and young 5-year-olds, who will receive 15 hours of instruction per week in the Early Childhood Development classroom.

In other school news, Grimoskas said a fundraiser providing showers at school facilities for RAGBRAI riders raised $8,300 for weight room equipment.

— Helen Smith