Ephraim Elementary School Community Council Meeting
March 3, 2026– 3:00 PM
Ephraim Elementary Conference Room

MINUTES

Council members in attendance: Principal Gannon Jones, Teacher: Brandee Tapp, Parents: Stacie Durrance, Leah Howe, Allie Sorenson, Bekah Ackerman

The meeting took place at 3:00 p.m. in the Ephraim Elementary conference room.

Welcome: Mr. Jones welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced all the members.

1. Gannon printed out the current use of funds.
2. Discussed MOY growth score for Acadience reading scores, which are currently at 70% for grades K-3.
3. Reviewed School Report Card
a. Gannon showed previous school years testing and explained how achievement and growth scores work.
b. He showed that we are low in growth this year for ELA, math, science and growth of the lowest.
i. Two reasons we are low in growth is because of our Colombian students as well as how high our 3rd grade scores on the RISE.
ii. Our growth scores are the areas we are really focusing on this year.
iii. Students that opted out of the testing actually hurt our growth scores.
c. Looked at Reading on Grade Level Progress
i. Our school average is 47% for grades 1-3 of how many students are Blue in Acadience Reading
ii. Explained how ROGL are the students who are “blue” or “well above”.
d. Looked at Making Typical or Better Progress
i. Our school average is 73% for typical or better progress in reading growth, which is higher than the state average of 64%
ii. Looked at Consistent Attendance; we are at 74%.
4. Reviewed the Trustlands plan for 26-27
a. Our projected total for estimated cost is $129.307.95
b. Our goal is to see at least 50% of our students proficient on RISE assessments & 60% of our students in grades 1-3 show typical or better growth on Acadience from BOY to EOY.
c. $105,000 goes toward paraprofessionals
d. $3,000 is for textbooks: UFLI, Phonics for Reading, Scholastic News, etc.
e. $4,000 is used for software programs: online access to IXL, ALEKS, & Lexia.
i. ALEKS is used for grades 3-5.
ii. Lexia is grades K-5, and we buy a school license
f. $10,308 will be used for purchasing equipment (computer hardware, instruments, document cameras, projectors, keyboards, headphones)
g. $5,000 for professional development: Rural Schools and professional development- used for reading, writing, math instruction
h. $2,000 for field trips- covers travel and entrance fees
i. It was asked if everyone was okay with the Trustlands Plan. Brandee seconded the Trustlands Plan, and the group unanimously agreed to support it.
5. Questions about the wellness policy- there were none at this time.
6. Gannon asked if there were any concerns or questions.
a. It was brought up that the charter school is opening (APA).
7. The meeting ended at 3:45 PM.