Rock Springs High School Principal Mr. Straka told Sweetwater County School District #1 trustees that first-quarter early warning indicator (EWI) data for ninth graders show promising improvements following changes to schedules and supports.

"Our failing rates... are quite a significant decrease," Straka said as he summarized EWI measures for failure rates, attendance and behavior. He attributed the change to the Freshman Academy, an accelerated block schedule, more adult supervision in the satellite freshman site, team-based teacher structures and a graduation coach who provides targeted support.

Straka gave specific behavior counts comparing this year to last: "In the year before, we had 21 in August versus 5 this year; 49 last year in September versus 20 this year; and 49 behavior incidences in October versus 20 this year." He said attendance has been consistent, roughly in the 90% range.

To reduce classroom distractions, Straka described a districtwide cell-phone protocol: "We have cell phone boxes now that are in every classroom... teachers have a system and a protocol that they're able to use in their classroom," and he reported that the measure is working.

Trustees thanked school leaders and asked that the board continue to receive quarter‑by‑quarter updates. "We're generally looking for the trend going in the right direction," Chair Wright said.

No board action was taken; trustees asked administrators to keep providing data as the year progresses and to post relevant indicators on the district website when available.