MV board debates class rank policy

An animated but civil debate over a new policy on class rank broke out Monday night at Mountain View School Board’s public meeting. Half a dozen board members took a stance or had an opinion regarding the use of weighted grades for advanced placement courses for high school students.

Some felt that introducing grades that weigh heavier (an A in an advanced placement class is factored in as around 102) was unfairly penalizing students who take the general education line of study or go to vocational school at the SCCTC.

Board member Jason Richmond explained that the ranking advantage was more important to students whose intent was to go on to college so that they could compete on a more equal basis with other high school students who had taken courses on the advanced level. “This applies more to class rank than to whether they are eligible for National Honor Society,” he said.

The policy passed in a roll call vote, with five voting yes and four no.

A policy allowing the school to charge admission for public attendance at indoor sports events was approved as presented.

In other business, the board approved the 2019-2020 budget timeline and associated mandatory advertising as presented.

The board also authorized a transfer of funds from General Fund to Cafeteria Fund in the amount of $30,000.

The board discussed the vacant position of Athletic Trainer during the executive session before the meeting, and voted to approve advertising for an athletic trainer during the public meeting.

A volunteer was approved for the Environmental Forum, Science Olympiad, Envirothon, and Pond Work: Michael Talabiska of Nicholson.

Supplemental salary requests for 2018-19 were approved as presented.

The board approved a motion to appoint Clifford, Hop Bottom and Harford EMT’s for service at athletic events.

The Marywood Strings program is now underway, meeting after school on Mondays.

Maintenance Director Bob Taylor reported that Columbus Day was a busy day on campus, with contractors balancing the water flow between buildings and finishing up details in construction. He said that a possible leak in the pipe crossing the road between schools has not been found yet, but that will be part of the next phase of construction. Contractors plan to replace the entire pipe.

The new mats ordered for the wrestling room have not yet arrived.

Board Member David Shulte asked if the nurse’s office can be air-conditioned, as there is ductwork present. Taylor said there is ductwork above the four rooms of the nurse office, but it is not set up for air conditioning. But, he said adding a/c there is possible.

Director of Special Services Stephanie Anuszewski attended an ESSA training conference in Harrisburg. She noted that programs for career readiness have benchmarks for students even in the elementary grades.

Curriculum Director Dr. Michael Elia added that students will be forming ideas of what they want to do in life. “That can change by the end of high school,” he said.

High School Principal Rob Presley said that Homecoming was great, with 200 attending, and that progress reports with PSSA and Keystone results have been sent home.

Elementary Principal Dr. Christopher Lake said that there have been

two PTO meetings, and that they will be holding “Spooktacular” on Oct. 26.There are now 16 students in PreKindergarten. Fire Prevention Week will be going on in the next week.

Change orders to the construction project were approved by the board for the main office conference room air conditioning, at $15,362; for the physical therapy and occupational therapy room at the high school for air conditioning, $15,765′ for paving of the pole barn, concession stand, and elementary school external base repair, at $48,262. These funds were taken from the contingency fund established before the projects began, Superintendent Karen Voigt said.