WV seniors petition for weighted grades
Published: October 18, 2012
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VICKI TERWILLIGER/CITIZEN-STANDARD PHOTO Seniors Kaityln Coleman, left, and Gabrielle Snyder present a petition with 116 signatures to the Williams Valley School Board on October 11. Looking on, are Board President Daniel Stroup, center, and Superintendent Dr. Donald Burkhardt, right. The seniors successfully presented their case that the Class of 2013 should receive weighted grades.
TOWER CITY - Two members of the Viking senior class presented a petition with 116 signatures to the Williams Valley School Board October 11. In the petition, the pair, Kaityln Coleman and Gabrielle Snyder, requested that the Class of 2013 be able to receive weighted grades and be included in the district's (grading) Policy 214.
According to Snyder, 17, of Wiconisco, there were a combination of students, faculty and community members who signed the petition, and the signatures included about half of the current senior class who signed in support.
In their address to the board, Coleman and Snyder noted that they didn't want the policy to be retroactive, but just for the current school year's courses. They said there are juniors taking the same course who are currently receiving weighted credit for their work.
Director Gail Ruch made the motion, which was seconded by Director John Mika, and the board unanimously approved including the senior class for those weighted grades, as specified in Policy 214.
Superintendent Dr. Donald Burkhardt thanked the students for using the proper procedures to bring the issue to the board's attention.
On a related matter concerning grading, the board voted 5-4 to return to the past practice of giving a number grading system for the marching band course, instead of a pass/fall grade being considered. Board members Angela Miller, Tedd Johns, Richard Updegrove and Christopher Stroup voted no.
The board also heard an end-of-season report from Golf Coach Donna Williard and also discussed cafeteria emergency procedures.
In other business, the board approved:
- a Family Medical Leave request from Elem. Teacher Mary Ellen Oxenrider for the following dates: October 4, 10, 11 and
25, 2012.
- The following as substitute teachers for the 2012-13 school year: Elementary: Autumn Lewis of Hershey & Kristin Baker of Tower City.
- a stipend for Randy Russelavage for the position of Athletic Director for the 2012-13 school year.
- rental requests as submitted, waiving rental and custodial fees.
- fund-raiser requests as submitted.
- the following as Student Organizations in the Jr.-Sr. High School: Academic League: (Students will compete against
students from other districts in academic subject areas.) Advisors: Melissa Sattazahn & Kristina Reho and Book Club:
(Students will be reading and discussing literature.) Advisor: Melissa Sattazahn
- motor Vehicle Records Reporting Guidelines.
- an adjustment to the delinquent personal taxes for Statewide Tax Recovery, Inc. as submitted.
- granting approval to Amanda Evans, an early childhood education major at Northampton Community College, to do a 20-hour field placement with 3rd grade teacher Ms. Wendy Babcock. (All clearances are on file in the elementary office.)
- a Letter of Linkage for the 2012-13 school year with the district and New Beginnings Behavioral Health Services to offer
outpatient community based mental health services to all residents of Schuylkill County with a satellite clinic located at Williams Valley.
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