The Greene County Schools board of education at its regular meeting Feb. 16 approved changing the number of academic credits needed for high school graduation from 58 to 50. The same policy revision eliminates the option of a basic diploma that requires only 42 credits.
The board initiated the basic diploma option several years ago to make it easier for at-risk students and those with special circumstances to receive a high school diploma. A student had to justify in writing why he or she could not meet the 58-credit requirement, and a committee had to approve the basic diploma.
However, high school principal Brian Phillips alerted the school board last fall that the Iowa Department of Education now requires schools to offer only one diploma option so students know the requirements for graduation when they begin ninth grade.
The list of required classes remains the same: eight credits of language arts; six credits each of math, science and social studies; two credits of physical education; and one credit each of health and financial literacy.
The number of elective credits needed is decreased from 28 to 20. At least five elective credits must be other than vocal or instrumental music.
Board members Michelle Fields and Cindi Daubendiek served on a committee with administrators and staff to revise the graduation requirements. Fields said taking a look at the number of credits for graduation “evolved” into looking at what the district wants of students as they graduate. “What we’re trying to achieve is a more rounded student, a more work-ready student, more ready to go out into life and be productive, contributing, whether it’s college or vocational or straight into employment,” Fields said.
Daubendiek said the decision to decrease the number of credits needed wasn’t easy, and that the committee consulted other districts. “It is not to lower expectations. Students can still graduate with honors… We need to have the right balance between the person who’s having a hard time just making it through and that person who’s the valedictorian,” she said.
Teacher Heath Telleen was also on the committee. He said there were strong feelings “on all sides” of changing the requirements, “but we have to take into account some kids that have disadvantages that other kids don’t. We want to make sure we have a level playing field for all.”
“The other thing we all agreed on is that if we screwed up mightily, we can always go back to the drawing board,” Telleen continued.
Teacher Darren Jackson, who was not on the committee, said he’s heard from others concern of what impact the change would have on the career academy. Superintendent Tim Christensen said it’s the responsibility of all teachers to encourage students to take classes that prepare them for the future, whether it be a trade that can be learned at the career academy or academic preparation for a four-year college. “The success of the career academy, the success of the school, the success of kids is on all of us to encourage them to strive for more than 50 credits,” he said.
The changed number of credits required becomes effective with the graduating class of 2023.
Board member Daubendiek summarized the board’s thoughts for constituents in an editorial posted under the Opinion tab on GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
In other business, the board held a public hearing on the calendar for the 2022-23 school year, and then approved the calendar as presented. The first attendance day for students will be Tuesday, Aug. 23. Christmas break for students will be Dec. 21 through Jan. 3. (Teachers will have professional development Jan. 2-3.) The last day of school will be Friday, May 26, 2023. Click here to see the calendar as approved.
The board approved increasing the beginning wage for custodians $1 an hour, to $13.20 an hour. The substitute custodian wage is increasing to $13 an hour. The district has posted openings for custodians the entire school year and currently has only six custodians for the three buildings.
The board also received the initial offer from the Greene County Education Association for 2022-23 teachers’ salaries. The GCEA proposes an increase from $32,760 (base salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree) to $34,950, an increase of 6.7 percent. The offer assumes the district will cover an increase in health insurance premiums.
Per the official meeting minutes, cost to the district would be an increase of more than $547,000, not including insurance.
The board approved activities director Todd Gordon’s application on behalf of the district to Grow Greene County for $110,625 for a new video scoreboard for Linduska Field. Gordon said the current scoreboard is 13-14 years old and will need to be replaced soon. The video scoreboard would allow visuals similar to those shown on the scoreboard in the high school gym, which include student-created material. It would also make it possible to post lane assignments and results for track and field meets. He added that once work is completed on the playing field (approved by the board in February), the field will also be used for soccer, adding 12-15 events each year.
Total cost of the scoreboard is $147,500. If the grant application is approved, the district’s match would be $36,875. PPPEL (physical plant & equipment levy) funds are available and could be used.
The board appointed Bonnie Silbaugh to serve ex officio on the Bell Tower Community Foundation board. Superintendent Christensen has served in that capacity.
The board moved the regular March meeting from March 16 to March 9 due to spring break.
After a recess in the meeting, the board heard from Lyle Schwartz and Dennis Bahr of McPherson & Jacobson, the consultants assisting in hiring a new superintendent. The two were in Jefferson meeting with administrators, staff and constituents, gathering input for the search. A total of 69 persons participated throughout the day.
According to Schwartz and Bahr, all groups seemed to share the board’s desired qualifications in a superintendent. No serious issues or concerns were brought up, with consensus being that the district is going in the right direction.
Bahr also commented that of all the districts he has assisted over the years, those who attended the evening meeting for community members were the most informed and best prepared group he’s ever worked with. The 21 persons at the meeting included three former school board members and several retired teachers.
