Board hears Common Core, student testing complaints
Potential problems with testing kindergarten students, difficulty with common core math and acoustic problems in the middle school band room were the main topics of discussion at Wednesday Harrisburg school board meeting.
Harrisburg Educators Association President Laurie Pappenfuss addressed the board on the topic of potential problems with a testing program for kindergarten students set to begin next year. This state mandated program will require teachers to test the kindergarten students during the year to evaluate how well they are learning.
Pappenfuss presented the board with newspaper clipping on a similar program in Florida which resulted in a teacher being fired because she chose not to test her students. In the Florida situation, the teacher argued that the testing required so much time away from educating the students that it was counterproductive and prevented the required curriculum from being taught because of the class time spent on testing.
Pappenfuss said that Harrisburg is running a pilot program of testing and problems with time spent on testing as opposed to teaching were already arising.
"There is an astronomical amount of time used by this testing," Pappenfuss said.
Pappaenfuss stated that she wanted to alert the board to the possibilities of problems in the testing program which is set to go into effect next year. Superintendent Mike Gauch responded that he was in consultation with state school board authorities and there was a possibility of some type of resolution to the time-related difficulties of this new program.
Middle School Band Director Marc Henshaw addressed the board on the topic of a acoustic problem in the band room. The walls of the room and the nature of the rooms construction are not allowing the music of band practice to be absorbed and Henshaw was concerned that there was a potential for actual damage to the students hearing. Henshaw explained that he had researched the matter and material to absorb the sounds adequately could be purchased locally for costs ranging from $3,000 to $7,000. The board asked Tony Chrisman of building and grounds, if the material could be installed by school staff. Chrisman replied that that was possible, the board thanked Henshaw for bringing the matter to their attention and stated that it would take steps to remedy the problem.
Gauch and West Side School Principal Kim Williams discussed with the board the rough start the math program had had in the West Side School. Gauch and Williams both stated the new common core requirements were at the root of these problems and the teachers were doing their best to deal with the changes.
"The teachers are giving it the old college try, but are struggling with it," Williams said.
Gauch added that the district has requested assistance from the state school board and advisors will be sent to assist the teachers with the problems teaching the common core curriculum.
High School Assistant Principal Randy Smithpeters reminded all former students holding their class reunion during homecoming week that they were welcome to tour the school as part of their reunion activities and that the high school would be open on Saturday for group tours of reunion attendees.
In other action, the board:
Accepted a bid from Roger Angelly Construction for repair of the West Side Elementary parking lot for $9,620.
Accepted the resignations of District Nurse Heather Wiggins and E.O.C. Aide Jennifer Cain.
Recalled from the Reduction In Force list Special Education teacher Lindsay Dunn. n Appointed Benji Willsey as assistant high school forensics coach and CJ Harbison as volunteer high school forensics coach.
Accepted Robin Newcomb as a volunteer cross-country coach for the middle school.
Reclassified 11 E. O. C. aides as Tier 2 workers.
Hired Jay Thompson, Angie Williams and Linda Lane as Time Sheet workers.