SIDNEY — Mired in the twists of governmental red tape regarding graduation requirements for the 2018 (junior) class, the Sidney City Schools Board of Education acted Monday to find a workable solution in a more reasonable time.
By a unanimous vote, the board granted a one-year waiver of state mandated testing requirements for those participating in graduation ceremonies in 2018. Statewide, if a student does not meet the state minimum requirements, they are not permitted to graduate with their class.
Board members and administrators felt making such a change was part of an issue throughout Ohio that will be duplicated by other boards.
The board heard a report from Brooke Gessler, director of Curriculum, and Tom Clark, administrator of the Shelby County Online Academy/Sidney Virtual Academy. They outlined why they felt the Class of 2018 was being shortchanged due to ever-changing graduation requirements.
Gessler gave a timeline of graduation requirements since 2014. Changes included course topics, number of testing opportunities, and the transition to all online testing.
Clark said students in the class can score at the state minimum for testing passage, and still not meet the total requirements. He strongly noted if students need to retest to better a low result, the class is facing diminished opportunities to test. A large variety of online testing material has created even more problems, and some tests results aren’t available until after graduation.
Math teacher Adam Doenges said online answers are counted as being wrong if a student misplaces a comma, adds a space, or fails to include a requested symbol. The numbers may be the right answer, but it’s wrong because of a computer keystroke.
Clark gave current statistical figures for the junior class. Of 261 students, 26 have a 4.0 GPA or better, which reflects 10 percent of the class. However, 114 students have a 2.9 GPA or below with 60 students have at least one “1” score. Another 57 students have a composite score of 14 or lower with one test remaining to raise the score to the minimum of 18 cumulative points.
Superintendent John Scheu provided guidelines that included that students must have “Earned 21 credits; participated in all seven end-of-course state tests” and other non-academic requirements.
The board also approved the purchase of Measures of Academic Progress, a web-based program for math reading and language. The new program will allow educators to better guide an individual student’s level of learning.
The cost was $36,187. Board member Robert Smith said he reviewed the program, and feels much more valuable information will be available on student records. He highly endorsed the purchases.
Board member Bill Ankney stated the purchase will replace two programs being used now. The move is expected to save the district approximately $18,000.
Shelby County United Way Executive Director Scott Barr presented the board a plaque for donations made by staff and students of the district. He reported the district total is in the top 10 of local donors.
Scheu said the district has donated nearly $200,000 to the United Way over the past five years. He commended the organization for helping fund the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters group that serves Shelby County.
The superintendent said the child mentoring program now has 359 students through the county. Of those, 235 are enrolled in Sidney schools.
In other business, the board:
• Accepted the resignations of Megan Mummey, girl’s varsity basketball coach; and Jennifer Wiford, varsity cheerleading coach.
• Accepted a $100 donation from Tamara Drerup to the Board/Administration Scholarship Fund.
• Amended an appropriation for the Straight A Grant Fund in the amount of $16,200. The funds were used a college credit program regarding manufacturing-related studies.
• Accepted the retirement resignations for Bob Reisinger, bus driver; Jackie Bowden, Northwood School secretary; and Kay Parker, high school cook.
• Hired Sara Pennington as a substitute teacher at a rate of $90 per day.
• Approved a leave of absence for Richard Engelken, Middle School Transition coordinator, from March 16 to April 14.
