USD 408 grading scale under the microscope years ago
Sports reporter
About 10 community members and Marion-Florence USD 408 teachers were in attendance Monday, when the board of education discussed changing the grading scale at all three schools.
Currently the scale is for 4-12th grade students and is as follows: 94-100, A; 86-93, B; 75-85, C; 67-74, D; and 66 and below, F.
The discussion came about because multiple board members said they had received phone calls and e-mails from parents and teachers concerned about the scale.
Member Sarah Cope said one teacher mentioned to her that students are missing out on scholarships and discounts on car insurance because of the higher scale.
Board president Chris Sprowls previously was against the notion of dropping the scale, but after hearing from a number of parents and teachers, he is concerned for the students who are the B and C ranges.
Cope is as well.
"We're not lowering our expectations, we are just giving those kids a chance to feel better about themselves," Cope said.
MHS counselor Phoebe Janzen said she is OK with whatever is decided because she feels students will adjust, but doesn't want to send the wrong message to students.
"What are we saying to students when we lower the bar?" she asked. "We don't expect you to be able to meet the bar the way it is so we will lower it. We want to make it easier for you to raise your GPA. We want you to be able to compete better with students for scholarships. We want you to have a better work ethic. What are we saying?"
Lisa Johnson, MHS English teacher, moved to the district this past year and said the grading scale was something her family considered when moving to town.
She never had seen the current scale, but decided to take the job anyway.
Some residents wondered what schools in the area used for their scales.
When looking at the schools in the Mid-Central Activities Association, it's clear there is no consensus.
Of the eight schools offering information, Sterling is the only school that uses the 10-point scale, but it gives the teachers an option to set their own.
Hillsboro, Ellinwood, Halstead, Hesston, and Nickerson use a varied scale similar to Marion, while Haven has each teacher set their own scale.
Marion County schools Centre, Peabody-Burns, and Goessel use the 10-point scale.
Karen Kline-Martin works as a registrar at Ellinwood and said while each school can do what they want, college and universities look deeper than just GPA.
Kline-Martin said they look at what grades the students received in certain classes, and what classes they took during their four years at the school.
Board member Keith Collett did not think the board should make a decision until the topic was formally brought by the MHS Site Council, or the District Improvement Team.
"I never understood why [the board] was in the business of changing the grading scale," Collett said. "I'll be happy to look at it, but I need a recommendation."
The topic was discussed Wednesday morning at the site council meeting.
The school board will postpone the decision until a formal presentation is made.
In other business:
— The board discussed the notion of giving Marion County Special Education Cooperative a two-month extension on its decision to renew a lease for its buildings in Florence.
USD 408 MCSEC representative Lyle Leppke received a letter from MCSEC asking for the date to be moved from Dec. 15 to Feb. 15, 2008.
Leppke said after a MCSEC special board meeting with all five district superintendents, it was clear there was not enough money for the co-op to do anything other than remain in Florence.
The board did not vote on the extension, but members were in agreement that it was not needed.
— MHS science and math teacher Gary Stuchlik and counselor Phoebe Janzen presented results from the School Improvement Plan.
— The board discussed, and had no problem with, letting some students leave class for the Marion Fire Cadet Program. The program is set up for students to assist the fire department when it is undermanned.
MHS principal Jim Piper said the students more than likely would not be fighting fires, but would be in more of a "support role."
Cope asked if there was a rule disallowing students with failing grades to participate. Piper said there was not, but the board could look into the possibility of implementing one.
— The board reviewed the process of the Dec. 10 regular meeting that will take place at 7 a.m. The meeting also will include tours of the building project facilities. In the afternoon an open house is planned for the public to view the auditorium, which is scheduled to open that night by hosting the MHS Christmas concert.
— The board agreed to purchase land east of the gymnasium/indoor pool building for $16,000. The land will provide nearly 50 parking spots for those utilizing the buildings.
— The board approved the sale of all the district's surplus property.
— The board accepted the resignation of MHS custodian Betty Ehlers.
— The board approved the hiring of Julie Crayton as Marion Elementary School custodian, Cindy Ragland as district bus driver, Jim Christensen as Marion Middle School assistant wrestling coach, and Shawn Voth as a teacher aide at MES.
