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 The Kennett School Board discuss the new GPA formula that will accurately calculate the GPA for students who take weighted classes. Staff photo by George Anderson [Click to enlarge] |
According to a memo from Kennett Superintendent Jerry Noble, a lower elementary student was suspended for one year for hitting a teacher and using very abusive profanity.
"I can't provide any further details because of confidentiality requirements; however, I want to let [everyone] know that even at the lower elementary, such behavior will not be tolerated," Noble said.
"I appreciate the support of the board on such matters," Noble continued.
Following the closed hearing, the board approved the implementation of a new formula for calculating student's grade point average (GPA).
According to Noble, the traditional method of calculating GPA is "skewed and invalid" when weighted grades are included. Using the traditional formula to calculate GPA, students with the fewest number of classes benefit. If two students had straight A's and one had 24 credits and the other had 26 credits, the student with 24 credits would have a higher GPA and higher class ranking.
Weighted grades are an additional weight applied to a more rigorous course. The additional weight is used to encourage students to take the harder courses. Students who take weighed classes will receive more credits for those classes. Examples of weighted classes are Physics and the Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
The new formula, which was developed by a retired math teacher in Illinois, will accurately calculate the GPA for students who take weighted classes and will go into effect immediately.
The board also approved a recommendation to present commendations to several students.
Drake Daniels will be presented a commendation for placing 2nd at the state competition in SkillsUSA Auto Collision Repair. Drake was also awarded a full ride scholarship to Wyotech, formerly Wyoming Technical Institute.
Mallory Brown, Taylor Wake, Leah King, and Holly Jones will be presented commendations for service provided to the district. The students helped prepare emergency First Aid containers for all buildings in the district, as well as First Aid kits for the classrooms.
In other matters, the board:
* Approved the minutes of the Aug. 19, 2008 meeting;
* Approved the payment of the monthly bills;
* Approved Noble to apply for Federal Impact Aid for the 2008-2009 school year;
* Approved the Professional Development program evaluations;
* Approved the 2008-2009 district testing schedule;
* Approved the 2008-2009 Professional Development Plan;
* Approved the revised Student Drug Testing Policy and Procedure;
* Voted and instructed Assistant Superintendent Chris Wilson to attempt to sell the Willoughby property and to negotiate for the best offer.
The board closed the meeting by going to executive session, in which they approved the employment of Debra Garrett as a part-time ESL teacher, whose position is funded by Title I-C; the employment of Phyllis Carnell as a personal aide at South Elementary; and the employment of Stacia Qualls as the district's speech implementer.
Gobler I'm not saying that it is the schools place to investigate it. There is human services whos job it is. Human services is always trying to put their noses into the families that are doing just fine on their own let them for once investigate someone that needs it. If a child is acting out most times than not there is something going on at home that is causing the child to either be unhappy or the child is being abused or is around abuse. Which is not only unhealthy for that child but other children in the home. In many states if the child is to this point of misbehavior the child is taken from the home and evaluated. Very benificial to the child and society.
mommy of 4...and just why is it the job of the district to investigate the home life of this child?
Schools have already taken on the job of parenting, counseling, feeding, babysitting, and clothing. And...they also probably know about the home life. That does not change a thing. The youngster acted like a wild animal and should not be in school with other kids.
Good job to the school district. But, they also need to find out the homelife of the child. Children act like what they are tought, a child taught respect-shows respect, a child taught abuse weather it is child abuse or seeing a parent being abused-shows abuse. There are times this does not aply but for the most part it is true.
khs1964, I thought that was the family's responsibility to raise the child and the school's to educate them. The teachers will have a difficult time educating those who are trying to act properly if they are dealing with one that is violent.
Wake up to the real world. Neglect many to keep one in school who is disruptive? Bad idea. Great job by the Board to look after the needs of those who are in school doing what is expected.
We are partly in this mess today because of the bleeding hearts like you. How many millions of dollars do we spend trying to educate the non-educable? Several!
What path is left to the School Board? Corporal punishment is not an acceptable practice these days and I'm sure that a "time out" would be ineffective in dealing with this type of disciplinary breach. The process of defining acceptable social behavior begins in the home and is the responsibility of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This step in the child's development seems to have failed. Sending the child home as punishment seems to be a "knee-jerk" reaction that does not attempt to solve the problem, only delay it for a year and removes the child from much needed social contact. Seems to me that the child should be required to stay in school and be enrolled in a counseling program that includes both the child and the parent(s) in one-on-one and group sessions.
The FACT the childs conduct was unacceptable and needed a strong response is fully acknowledged.
The action by the school board to throw this kid out of school appears not only to be excessive but abusive in its own way. I have worked in the education field for many years and never I have seen or heard of a more pathetic way to discipline a elementary child. Now he has not only a disturbing home situation to deal with but the knowledge that the very system that was hired and suppose to professionally teach, counsel and discipline children just threw this kid out the door.
I'm sure the Kennett school board expects the same parents who permitted this type of child development now expect him to be educated at home or not at all.
I agree with the message from "peacebrother" maybe the community will act to save our kids and not dismiss our responsibilities as adults.
Our teachers have their hands full educating. They should not have to put up with abuse or be juvenile officers or police.
No one said he would not be educated, just that he could not come to school. I am sure there will be some intervention for this child.
Of course, with this type of behavior, the intervention is not going to work.
Wonder who he learned that from?
I am sorry someone had to endure this abusive behavior from a child but I am more ASHAMED of us as a so called society that would throw away our children. The parents have failed these children as they are learning violence, disrespect. The child's only hope is from the outside world which is school. What about "no child left behind" Each child, no matter how abusive deserves a chance. Can't we have Reform school, ANYTHING to help the throw away children in MISSOURI. I hope everyone contacts their Representatives to get help for these throw away kids WHILE THEY ARE KIDS!!!