BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
Special Joint School Board Meeting
October 28, 2009
Present:
BFUHS Board:
Daniel Axtell, Russell Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Jan Mitchell-Love, Laurie Rowell
Stephen Major (6:28 p.m.)
Rockingham Board:
Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charles Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present:
Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, Sharon Reynolds, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The joint meeting was called to order by Rockingham School Board Chair, Charles Jarras, and BFUHS Board Chair, David Clark, at 6:03 p.m.
2. Transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9:
BFMS Principal, Cheryl McDaniel Thomas, distributed an outline of transitions and timeline for students moving from the 8th grade at BFMS to the 9th grade at BFUHS.
David Clark and Jan Mitchell-Love added feedback learned from staff members during a recent BFUHS Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee meeting. This feedback included the fact that some students arrive at 9th grade without adequate skills, and if the staff was asked for their “wish list”, they would list absenteeism, homework lab, and all Middle School students taking Algebra as priorities.
When board members were queried, comments included:
o the importance of acknowledging the challenge for the Middle School because of the transitioning of students from other schools at each grade level;
o the desire to explore mandating summer school for students who do not demonstrate readiness for 9th grade;
o the need for external motivators for Middle School age students;
o identifying that today’s problems not unique; 17 years ago there were students leaving the high school and stopping for help on their way home from a favored mathematics teacher;
o the idea of getting Middle School students comfortable with the High School by bringing them to the school to observe classes and opportunities available to them at the high school, and getting Middle School faculty and families to advocate for students to attend the high school;
o the need to balance the efficient operation of the institution with meeting the needs of students;
o the purpose of this discussion -- is this an issue about the transitioning of students or an issue about students not being prepared for entering the high school? Are other students having problems?
o why is the administration opposed to requiring that students come back to the Middle School for a portion of the day to gain the skill they need?
o to put more definition on this discussion, data is needed;
o to help with transitioning, have expectations for passing be the same at both schools;
o years ago the high school offered two focus areas for course direction, now is it right to expect the same subject content for all students? (This comment is in response to the “wish list” item about Algebra).
In conclusion, the policy for addressing absenteeism at the Middle School was explained, and administration’s thoughts on grade retention.
3. Other Business:
David Clark thanked board members for their participation and suggested that future discussions include what the BFUHS Board wants to ask of the Rockingham School Board, and vice versa.
4. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Chairmen declared the meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
Bellows Falls Union High School Board of Directors
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
Rockingham School District Board of Directors
| 