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School board passes new graduation/dropout prevention policy
By Justin Goble
A new policy has changed graduation requirements for some students in Jackson County schools.
Differential graduation requirements were made official Monday night (Aug. 28) when members of the board of education unanimously voted to implement them for the current school year.
The new rules, which are only for students who have been held back one or two grades in school or have special conditions that have caused them to fall behind, were formulated to give such teens another option. Those who are invited into the new program can graduate with only 20 credit hours rather than the 28 required for most students.
Board members discussed altering graduation requirements during several recent sessions. According to Superintendant Sue Nations, the new requirements will benefit those who’ve had trouble with school in the past.
“This is not a fast track for students to get out in three years,” Nations said in July. “This is an option for students who have fallen behind but still want to get a diploma on time.”
While local officials mandate 28 credit hours, state standards only stipulate 20, she said.
To graduate under the new plan, students must pass four English courses; three science courses (earth and environmental, biology and physical sciences); three math classes (algebra I with two math electives); three social studies (world history, civics and economics, and U.S. history) four career pathway courses; one health and physical education course; and two general elective classes.
“This program will award kids a state diploma,” Nations said. “It will be targeted toward students at the highest risk to drop out of school.”
As of the start of this school year, there are 38 entering freshmen who will turn 16 during the year. Nations said that group will be the first eligible for the new requirements.
Board members also unanimously passed a policy prohibiting “seclusion and restraint” of students by school personnel as a form of punishing students. Nations said these devices will be allowed in case of an emergency, as stated by state laws.
Statutes allow for students to be restrained if they are carrying a weapon or to break up a fight. Removing students from the rest of the school population may be used for the same purposes.
In other business Aug. 28:
– Board members unanimously passed a purchase order of $75,000 to acquire a new activity bus.
Finance officer David Steinbicker told board members that the initial cost for the bus was $70,000. However, the price increased to $74,006. The $75,000 will cover that cost, along with licensing and transfer taxes, he said.
– Technology coordinator David Proffitt brought three purchase orders to the board.
The first, a $51,211.53 expenditure to Data Networks, is set to be used for backup storage consolidation. Proffitt said the schools currently do not have a system to back up computer programs and information, which they will be able to do with the new hardware.
The second, a $380,472.34 order to Data Networks, will be used to purchase new computers.
“We’re wanting to get our computers on a five-year cycle,” Proffitt said. “With this, we’ll be able to cycle out 291 computers, which is going along with our technology plan.”
The third, a $33,300.81 expenditure, will be used to renew the license of all Microsoft software the school system uses, such as Office and Word. Proffitt said the schools will have to pay for the license each year Microsoft products are in use.
All three purchase orders were passed unanimously.
– Board members unanimously passed an agreement with the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Assistant Superintendent Steve Jones, who brought the issue to school officials, said the agreement will allow Red Cross workers to use school facilities as a base of operations in case of an emergency.
– Two new board policies had their first reading Monday night.
The first dealt with a new citizenship curriculum. Nations said new statutes require the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis, along with the display of the American and North Carolina flags in schools. Students are also to be taught the origins and the significance of the pledge and the flags.
Though a daily recitation of the pledge is required, Nations said students could not be forced to participate.
The second policy dealt with beverage vending sales. According to new legislation, soft drinks cannot be sold during breakfast or lunch periods at high schools. Vending machines are prohibited from offering more than 50 percent soft drinks, and bottled water must be available in every machine.
All soft drink sales are prohibited on the premises of elementary schools, Nations said.
While board members were in favor of the changes, Chairman Ken Henke said he wanted them to be extended to other parts of the school as well.
“These regulations don’t apply to the adult areas, such as the teacher’s lounge, or any after-school events,” he said. “I think we need to look at these and see if they could be more specific.”
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