MVBT School District APR numbers down from last year

The Mtn. View-Birch Tree school board heard last week that the district's APR dropped 12 points. Annual Performance Report (APR) is reported to each district by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The overview of the APR was presented at the Thursday, Nov. 20 Board of Education meeting.

 

The composite score averages three years of APR data. These scores and reports are used as the basis for the accreditation classification of school districts. According to minutes from the meeting, this year, the district earned 72.7% of the total points possible. In 2024 the district earned 84.5%. The statewide average for 2025 is 78.9%.

 

It was reported in the minutes of the meeting that the district views this as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and refocus their efforts on supporting the students and staff.

 

Individual buildings are measured by a different number of possible points across the district  were down overall. A total of 88 points for both elementary schools, 92 for the middle school, and 124 for the high school.

 

- Birch Tree Elementary 63%, down from 72.2% in 2024

- Mountain View Elementary earned 57.9% down from 78.4% in 2024

- Liberty Middle School earned 61.9% down from 69% in 2024

- Liberty Senior High School earned 72.9% down from 73.6% in 2024

 

Superintendent Lanna Tharp explained, "Even with this year's dip, the district's composite score remains slightly above the state average, demonstrating that the long-term performance continues to be steady."

According to the information that was presented to board members the three-year composite score for the district is 78.3% (2023-2025) with the state average being 78%. Last year the district's composite score was 80%

 

Tharp continued, "Looking ahead to the 2026 composite score, based on the scores from this year (low), last year (high), and the year before (low), the district will need a huge increase this year to remain at or above the state average."

 

During the meeting the board heard/approved other agenda items:

- Approval of consent agenda including minutes from October 23 regular board meeting, payment of bills in the amount of $653,463.72, and monthly administrative/principal reports

- Adoption of agenda approved with addition of Annual Secretary of the Board Report and Annual Audit under new business

- MSBA report given by Shelly Mantel

- Approval of Policy JECA, Eligibility to Enroll

- Payment of $139.80 for supply to The Angel Garden was approved with Shelly Mantel abstaining

- Payment of $591.37 for supply to Brown's Farm & Garden and $191.75 for reimbursement to Kristy Reese was approved with Mikael Orchard abstaining

- Approval of Smith Flooring bid for wood chips at $25 per ton for heating the high school building

- Approval of Local Special Education Compliance Plan

- Approval of final audit by district's auditor

- Approval of ASBR as presented by DESE

 

Superintendent Tharp presented the October financial report. The balance in all funds for October 2025 was $9,783,299.72 and Assistant Superintendent Ryan Chowning gave a capital projects update.

 

The board then went into closed session where the following was accepted/approved:

- Accepted resignation of Karen Hampton, SE para effective June 30, 2026

- Accepted resignation of Shelly Enloe, Custodian effective January 5, 2026

- Approved Melody Cooper Moore and Angela Jones to be added to certified substitute list pending completion of paperwork

- Approved Sara Combs to be added to the non-certified substitute list pending completion of paperwork

- Approved adding Sara Combs, Custodian pending completion of paperwork

- Approved adding Hilary Honeycutt and Starla French to the volunteer list