The Bremen City Schools Board of Education opened Monday with discussions about school improvement for all of the schools this year.

Three “smart goals” were identified to improve students’ performance at Jones Elementary School. The concept includes strategic, results-oriented, time-bound goals aimed to help all first- through third-grade students earn top scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), said Principal Bill Garrett. The board noted that math scores took a dip this year among third-grade students; however, reinforcement materials would be better implemented in an effort to improve scores in that area.

“Third-grade math scores are on the top of the list,” Garrett added.

“Homework has to be very focused on math and drilled and focused,” said Bremen Middle School Principal Krista Smith, who also serves as acting principal at Bremen Academy.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was also stressed as a key priority at Bremen Middle School, while increasing the number of students in the “exceeds” category at Bremen Academy was noted as a major goal.

Bremen High School also has plans underway to incorporate more writing in daily assignments in every subject. The plan is expected to be administered by teachers at many of the schools.

The board approved the plans for this year, in addition to several fundraising requests.

In other business, BMS received a green light to conduct a recycling program at the school. A proposal for the Academic Team at the Academy was later granted. The use of personally-owned devices was also consented. The board approved a facilities request from Bremen Parks & Recreation to use Jones Elementary’s new gym for the 5- and 6-year-old youth basketball league.

The board also approved the recertification of compliance with standards for the local board of education. The BHS band is also allowed to participate in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl.

Regarding personnel, the board accepted several recommendations from Assistant Superintendent Janis Parrish, who conducted the meeting in Superintendent Stanley McCain’s absence.

The board then went into executive session to discuss an employee issue.

The next Bremen City School meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 9, at the Bremen Board of Education building in Bremen.