Shawnee board discusses weighted grades, more

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CAMDEN — Preble Shawnee Local School District will have “weighted” grades at the high school level beginning with the incoming freshman class.

Board President Julie Singleton asked for updates on the weighted grade process during the board of education meeting on Thursday, April 11.

“We’re set to do weighted grades for the incoming freshman class. It will be an add on of 0.025 for any honors class the students take and college credit plus class the student takes. Starting with freshman year, it is probably going to be Honors English 9, Honors Geometry, and Honors Biology,” Superintendent Matt Bishop said.

“[Honors Algebra was not an option because] the thought was to have every freshman enter on the same playing field, so that way if I’m competing for GPA when everybody walks into high school on the first day no one has a 0.025 weight in their back pocket they would have that other students wouldn’t. We looked at Honors Algebra — yes it is an honors class but only certain students have access to it. It is not a freshman class.”

President Singleton added, “I think it is really exciting for Preble Shawnee to be moving this route toward weighted grades. I think it helps the students and I know it is something that has been brought up for awhile. I’m thrilled that we’re to the point of implementation next school year.”

Superintendent Bishop also gave the board a community engagement process update. The district has had seven community advisory meetings, three community forums, and has narrowed down to five or six building options.

However, none of those options have yet reached 50 percent support from the Community Advisory Team.

Bishop has an upcoming meeting with several involved parties to discuss the goal and survey possibilities.

“I don’t want to go in with preconceived notions, but I’m worried that it is too big and he is not going to be able to get a good read. If that is the case, we need to come back as a group and [get to that point]. Until we sit down with them and talk through all the options that have been discussed, we don’t want to put too much into it,” Bishop said.

“Once we meet, we’ll have to give the board a summary and see what the next step is. Ultimately, the board as the five of you are going to have to make a decision of what to survey and see what results we get back. We’re not there yet, because there is nothing concrete we can survey yet.”

The land adjacent to West Elkton Intermediate School may be available for purchase. Superintendent Bishop and board member Bill Crawford will be meeting with the current owner to discuss terms and amount.

“If we could get it for a very cheap price, I think it is well worth looking into, considering,” Crawford said.

Preble Shawnee Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in the District Office.

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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