Chris Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
The Rich County School Board held its regular December
meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at the district office in Randolph. All 6 board members were present.
Terryl Warner, State
Board of Education member representing this region, was present. She reported that the new statewide standards
in science education were initially a divisive issue, but after consultation
with interested parties, including science teachers, the new standards were eventually
adopted. She also noted that it has been
recommended that a 4.5% increase in the WPU be made and that there are 100
million new dollars available, almost all to be used in technology. She noted that Rich County is already in
very good shape on the technology front so that the new money will likely not
have much effect in the district.
Warner also noted that financial literacy teachers have
been told in many cases that they need 12 additional university credits to be
certified in the subject, but that this notification will receive a second look
as it is not clear whether the existing teachers actually need the extra
instruction. Many of the teachers have
been teaching the material for more than 10 years.
Finally, Warner noted that a new national law, the
“Every Student Succeeds Act”, (ESSA) has
been passed by Congress and signed into law.
This act replaces the “No Child Left Behind” act. Specifics on the parameters of the new act
are just becoming available, but are known to contain new rules and guidelines
on testing and evaluation of schools and likely an increase in state’s voice in
both of these areas.
In a change from previous years, the filing dates for all
candidates for local school board membership are set this term to be from
January 4, 2016, to March 17, 2016.
Three of the districts will have elections, District 1, 2, and 5. District 1 is centered near Woodruff,
District 2 near Randolph, and District 5 is Garden City north, where Andy
Stokes is serving as an appointed interim board member. Filing for the positions can be accomplished
in the county office. The board
currently has 6 members but that will return to the law mandated 5 members
after the election in 2018. Currently
Eric Wamsley and Monte Weston are both from the same district (3) but the law
indicates that those 4 year terms may be
completed by the elected members.
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