STURGIS — The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Monday heard from Superintendent Art Ebert about continuous improvement and how the district plans to focus more on students and learning. 

Ebert said he and building principals have been focused on continuous improvement work and how to implement it effectively at their Friday meetings. Goals and strategies have been identified. For example, at the elementary level, goals include raising efficiency in NWEA testing by 5 percent per year through 2027. 

NWEA, formerly known as the Northwest Evaluation Association, is a research-based nonprofit organization that creates academic assessments for students pre-K-12.

“So what we’re really honing in on is, OK, that’s your strategy, how are you going to make sure it’s occurring?” Ebert said. “And then afterward, how are we going to make sure it’s occurring effectively and how are we measuring that and how are we tweaking that? So every week, we’re revising and revising and digging deeper and asking more questions.” 

Ebert presented board members with a packet on plans from each of the district’s schools. For example, at Wall Elementary, staff will meet to discuss every student individually. At the first board meeting of each month, Ebert and assistant superintendent Nicole Gittinger plan to give updates on the work being done. 

“We feel strongly that this is going to move us,” Ebert said. “This is exciting work because it has felt like for the last couple of years that we haven’t been focused on kids, teaching and learning, but now we can. We’re not talking about procedures and protocols.” 

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved hiring Whitney Bast as art teacher at Sturgis Middle School. 

Board members also approved an exterior door bid from Sahr Building Supply for 12 doors in the amount of $61,200. The project is part of a grant through Michigan State Police. 

At its next meeting Sept. 19, the board will consider the purchase of a 10-passenger van.