Oct 23, 2019 2 min read

The Brownsville Area School District Board of Directors approved the district’s comprehensive plan last week.

The comprehensive plan – which encompasses a professional education plan, induction plan, safe and supportive schools/student services, and Chapter 12 & 14 assurances – was made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days. It will now undergo review by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Once approved, the district’s comprehensive plan will be in effect for three years.

According to Superintendent Keith Hartbauer, the comprehensive plan was designed to include the academic, behavioral and attendance components of all children in the district.

“All programs, procedures and policies that have been implemented correlate with this plan in order to positively impact our district’s culture,” Hartbauer said at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday. “We are already seeing many remarkable improvements in each of these components.”

Hartbauer noted that students in grades three to eight showed improvement in nine out of 14 different academic categories while students in grades 10 and 11 also demonstrated significant academic progress, based on the Keystone Exams.

In addition, Brownsville’s teachers are using the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program to achieve improved social and academic outcomes.

“Thanks to this program, we are seeing a decline in student discipline, especially at the higher grades,” Hartbauer said, who added that PBIS has been used by the district’s elementary school for three years while Brownsville’s middle and high schools have launched the program this past September. “Kudos to our teachers for taking ownership of PBIS and successful implementing this program.”

He also noted that the district is seeing improved student and staff attendance.

“When you see improvements in the school cultures, that helps to cut down absenteeism,” he said. “And when morale improves, you begin to see a significant improvement in academic and behavioral outcomes. We are proud of these successes, and we plan to share them with parents and teachers during a public meeting later in 2019.”