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dents that have do not have English as their first language. "Kindergarten is becoming more academic," Swisher said. "It's a huge concern at our level. I believe we have become junior first grade."
• One of the concerns is all of the testing that is being done. Swisher said testing a five-year-old is not valid. "You can test them one day and give them the same test the next day with completely different results," Swisher said.
• Even with the longer school day, the extra minutes are being used for Math RtI.
• The first and second grade teachers also talked about the Math RtI program and how they are seeing an improvement in the math skills of the students. Ann Zoellner said, "At the end of the school year, we need to look at scheduling to see if we can reduce the transition times." The students are rushing from class to class and the teachers would like to see an improved schedule.
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• The school recently had its state fire and life safety inspection. This is done every two years and head custodian, Mike Nehls, spent two and one-half days with the inspector. Superintendent Joe Schwan reported on some things that need immediate attention, some that need to be done in the next year and some within three years.
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• Adam Franken, Groton's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, came before the board to talk about out-of-district students who want to take part in Groton's program. "It's a concept, not a plan," Schwan said.
• Franken said he has had several parents over the past three years ask if their children go take part in Groton's program. Groton has the only certified ag program in Brown County. He said that parents from Warner, Aberdeen, Langford, Britton and Northwestern have expressed an interest in Groton's program.
• "I am passionate about ag education," Franken said, "I would like to do something like this." There are many things that need to be decided. For one thing, students have to attend one semester of ag class in order to be in FFA. The state has already said they are not allowing any new on-line courses to be taught. That would mean the students would have to come to Groton for some sort of participation. Even hours would be a possibility for the out-of-district students.

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