2008 Year in Review

School Board Decides Against Changing Grading System

Representatives from Metro Design were present at the board meeting to review plans for the Health/Life Safeety project to the HVAC and plumbing systtems.

Julie Mickley Spoke on concerns with the change of the grading system.

by Ben Wolf

The Morrison school board met May 27. Dr. Jody Ware began with clarifying the timing on issuing bonds. Ware said that it was miss stated in a newspaper that they knew when they would issue them, but in fact the district will watch interest rates to see when the most opportune time is. “There is no set date for issuance at this time,” said Ware.

Pool progress pictures are now on the district website. Dean Wallace reported that the contractors are making good progress, but are slightly behind schedule due to the sawing taking longer than anticipated. There were two requested changes to the work. The first was removing a window from the filter room, which will save about $2,500. Replacing the existing main drain with two new ones, which was deteriorated, will add $4,443.79. The contractor has not made mention of the project being extended past the proposed completion date.

Metro Design was on hand to review plans for the Health/Life Safety project to the HVAC and plumbing systems. Ann Baldwin from Metro reported that they are on schedule to go out for bids. The gym may see an extra 6’ of headroom and the ceiling tiles replaced with sound absorbing material. This may be an optional part of the project along with the geothermal system and intercom clocks. Keith O’Higgins from Metro reported that the drawings are 90% finished. The geothermal system will comprise about 45% of the system’s capacity, and the system is actually a hybrid of conventional and geothermal. The conventional system will usually only run in the summer, except in the areas that are not conducive to geothermal systems. They will be ready for bids in October, but O’Higgins said it might make sense to wait until material prices level out some.

Board member Steve Swanstrom commented, “In the business I’m in, the prices just keep going up. In that case, it makes sense to do it as soon as we are ready.”

The most contentious issue at this meeting was whether to adopt a new grading scale and makeup homework procedure. Dr. Ware explained, “We presently have four different grading systems in the district. A committee researched this, and this is their recommendation.” The recommendation was to go with a common grading system for all, which awards the grade points in a graduated level. 4.0 would be from 94% up. 3.75 for 92-93%, and so on down the scale. Arguments for the change mostly cited that other districts are doing it, the common scale would be fairer and make transitions easier, and would challenge students to aim for the highest possible grades, instead of shooting for whatever gets them to the next grade point awarding.

Arguments against stated that it would be tougher on students who already struggle, and could impact a student’s ability to land scholarships and even their ability to qualify for certain colleges. “It is important that grading systems are not used to lessen the success of our students. If we find that our retention rate was increasing, we would look at that and make changes if needed. More difficult classes could have weighted grades,” continued Ware. High School principal, Janet Ward said that she has talked with administrators from districts, who had gone with this type of grading system, and the grades earned by the students did not really change, but their performance did increase. Grade school principle Amy Heusinkveld added, “We are responsible for preparing children for their future success. We need to make sure that they rightfully earn those good grades so that they succeed when they go forward in life.” Board member Doug Pannier agreed, saying, “Remember that grades are only one part of the package. If we don’t set expectations that challenge the students, then is that saying that 90% is OK in all parts of life? Not always. Would it be OK if only 90% of the fillings that Dr. Simpson put in were OK? We can’t treat 90% the same as 100%.” Board member Steve Swanstrom expressed his concern, “My concern is whatever system goes into place, the teachers are going to revert to the old ways. What good was the change aside from saying we have a standard grading system then?” Board member Ted Tilton added, “We cannot argue that we need to change the grading system to improve our test scores. We do well. We do need to think of those kids who aren’t performing as well. I don’t see uniform agreement on this issue. I don’t see a reason to do it since our students are doing well. If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.” Board member Kevin Schluter then stated, “My issue is: I make decisions professionally based on data. There is no data here for or against this. It’s all opinion. It will be good for some and hurt some students. I need to see some sort of factual data before I can vote for it.”

During the public forum, Julie Mickley spoke, “I spoke a few months ago about children who are struggling to succeed in school. I looked up my daughter’s grades, and saw that the class average was 60%. Now I see that class averages are no longer posted on the Internet. We are here because we are concerned. Raising the grading system will be detrimental and should not be allowed to happen to some of these kids. If that allows even one student to fail, I don’t know how you could do that in good conscience.”

A vote was called and those who voted to make the change were Doug Pannier, and board president Sally Gray. Those who voted against were Steve Swanstrom, Kevin Schluter, Ted Tilton and Jim Ridley. The motion failed, and the grading system will not be altered.

Amy Griffith also spoke during the public forum in favor of improving safety on Winfield Street. “There are yield signs and speed signs that no one pays attention to. Maybe it could be made a school zone with crosswalks or a speed bump.” Griffith brought 161 signatures from a petition in favor of this. Dr. Ware said the district would look into it, and that they work with the city on these items. “We can evaluate the safety, but it is tough to do during the summer.”

Responding to a letter from Varsity Football coach Cory Bielema, the board looked at adding an assistant football coaching position. Bielema argued that the position was needed due to the numbers of participants and the complexity of football. Voting for adding the position were Tilton, Ridley, Schluter and Swanstrom. Against were Pannier and Gray. The motion carried, and the position will be added.

Next up was the consideration of scoreboard bids. Nevco Company came in as the low bidder with $15,411 for the equipment and an additional $8,075 for a message center, which could be used for advertising. There was also $852 for additional controllers to make the boards flexible enough for other sports. Jim Ridley stated that the Boosters were going to step up for 3/4 of the $8,075 portion.

Doug Pannier commented, “The message center is a luxury item. It’s nice to have, but at that cost different commitments in front of us, adding $8,075 to the cost is a luxury.” Jim Ridley offered, “I think it will pay for itself.” Pannier was the lone no vote on accepting the total bid.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 4, 2008