Pubdate: Wed, 20 Sep 2006
Source: Norman Transcript (OK)
Copyright: 2006 The Norman Transcript
Contact:  http://www.normantranscript.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/552
Author: Tony Pennington
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SCHOOL BOARD FINDS SURVEY RESULTS 'DISTURBING'

"Disturbing" was the refrain uttered by the Norman  Public Schools
officials following the release of the  most recent Youth Risk
Behavior Survey results Monday  evening at the Board of Education's
regular meeting.

Among the 2,918 district high school students surveyed,  more than 40
percent of both males and females  indicated they have had sexual
intercourse and more  than 30 percent of both genders were active with
one or  more persons during the past three months. More than 43
percent of boys and 39.8 percent of girls polled have  used marijuana.
The YRBS also revealed more than 30  percent of males and females have
participated in binge  drinking, or five or more drinks of alcohol in
a row  within a couple of hours.

"These are very disturbing," said NPS board member Ken  McBride after
Director of Guidance and Counseling  Sharon Heatley's presentation.
"It is wise of us to  gather this information and share it rather than
kid  ourselves."

The district has issued the survey four times to more  than 12,000
Norman High School and Norman North High  School students in the last
seven years ??April 1999,  October 2001, March 2003 and May 2006. The
survey is  voluntary and anonymous.

Information collected serves as an indicator of  tobacco, alcohol,
drug, sexual, dietary and physical  activity trends within the schools
and assists in  describing risk behaviors, creating awareness, setting
  program goals, developing programs, supporting health-  related
legislation, community development and  enrichment and securing
additional sources of revenue.

The 87-multiple-choice-question, six-category format  was developed by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention, the division of
adolescent and school  health. While the initial reaction always seems
to be  one of shock, the district views the results as a tool  to help
them move forward in addressing schoolwide and  community issues.

"We can use this information to create awareness not  only in our
schools but the community," Heatley said.  "Now we have more
information, and it will take  everyone working together to keep our
students  academically successful and healthy. Now the hard work  begins."

The first step will be to analyze the data and extract  the
information needed for services or programs to  benefit the students
and community.

"School districts and communities are struggling with  these issues
and there is no way this doesn't make an  impact," said NPS
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Siano. "As  a district we need to step up
and give our students an  incentive ... a reason to say 'No.' We have
to look at  those things. We have the data to do so."

The board shifted the focus from students to district  leadership when
it convened in an executive session.  Behind closed doors, officials
agreed to amend Siano's  contract for the 2006-2007 school year and
also  approved the adoption of a 403(B) plan with employer
contributions. The board approved the superintendent's  contract in
February, but indicated salary adjustments  would be made later.

Instead of the standard one year agreement, Siano was  given a
three-year contract, the first time he has been  offered one in his
more than six years of service. He  will be with the district until
June 30, 2009, and was  awarded a base salary of $152,900. His
previous salary  was more than $139,000.

"I was given a three-year contract for the first time,"  Siano said in
an interview Tuesday. He also expressed  his desire to continue with
his work with the community  and students. "Being able to continue as
the  superintendent in Norman Public Schools is a privilege.  I
appreciate the board's confidence, and I look forward  to the future."

Among other action taken by the board:

Approved the district gifted education programming  advisory committee
for 2006-2007.

Approved the Norman district gifted education plan for  2006-2007.
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MAP posted-by: Derek