Five Things: School Board Meeting
Drama students honored, parents complain about midterms, mid-year report presented
The West Orange Board of Education met Monday night at the administration building. Here are five things you need to know.
1. Drama students were recognized Monday night for their participation in various acting competitions. The students participate in the high school drama club and drama productions after school. Jesse Lab, Clarissa Lotson, Raul Ausa and Joey Piserchio were present at the meeting and honored by the school board.
2. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Cavanna gave a district report on the the harassment, intimidation and bullying legislation. He said five incidents of bullying were reported in December and six were reported in January. Cavanna said though the law increases the number of reported incidents and encourgages teachers to "err on the side of caution," the district has always employed anti-bullying policies of prevention. "I think we were doing it without the legislation … we have a long history here of prevention," Cavanna said.
3. Though not on the agenda, some parents adamantly protested the midterms implemented on the middle and high schools for a second year in a row. They said high-scoring students had failed the tests along with a majority of their classmates.
"There are serious problems with the midterms, students that get As and Bs are failing," said one parent. Others were concerned the low test scores were hurting the students' self-esteem.
"I don't like hearing that tons of kids aren't doing well," board member Megan Brill said.
"If there's that many kids failing the exam, then there's something wrong with the exam," said board member Paul Petigrow.
Though midterms were imposed on the middle schools and the high school for the time last year, board president Laura Lab said school officials had yet to see an official report on any midterm results due to a communication error made by the administration.
School officials did not take the complaints lightly and promised to further review the problem. They said it was the first time they had heard there was an issue with failing midterm test scores.
4. Board president Laura Lab updated the public on the current status of the anti-bullying legislation that was found unconstitutional by the state Council on Local Mandates last month.
The state Council on Local Mandates issued the ruling after hearing a case brought by the Allamuchy school district, which argued the law was unconstitutional because it was an "unfunded mandate" that diverted resources from other areas.
Lab praised the move and said the district had spent $4,000 to meet the demands of the anti-bullying mandate and would likely spend more.
"It's not to take away from the intent of the law, but once again, (Trenton) had a knee-jerk reaction without thinking through the implications to the school districts," she said.
The state council's decision goes into effect 60 days from their Jan. 27 ruling. School officials predict some form of the statute will remain in effect with some state funding.
5. Cavanna presented a mid-year report on the school district and said future challenges include improving curriculum and maintaining financial stability. He was hopeful this year's budget would remain under the two percent cap and not include layoffs.
Cavanna outlined strategies to meet four district goals: implementing an integrated curriculum, cultivating a safe and secure environment, having sustainable facilities and encouraging community engagement.
Accomplishments include an increase in Advanced Placement courses taken by students and an increase in AP test scores. Cavanna also listed a slew of programs and for personalized learning and to meet student needs.
He said the district had made some headway with the mathematics curriculum and test scores but had some work to do in the language arts literacy area.
See attached document for a copy of the report.
wohopeful
12:49 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I find it hard to believe that the school officials are unaware of failign test scores. Did't they administer the test?
While no one wants to hear about failing test scores, it is a reality of a failing school district and not something that should be blamed on the test or the children. Seems like a lot of finger poiting and denial going on by the responsible parties here.
Cynthia Cumming
1:14 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
How did your children fare with their midterms Woho? Are you aware of the whole midterm process and the possibility that they are meant to challenge the students as they are prepared for high school and college? I have two children in district. Both studied. Both were given packets of materials to review so that nothing would be a 'surprise' on the midterms. But one son did almost fail math, which has been his weakest subject so far this year. Has he gone for after school help? No. Has he reached out for help from friends? No. He did very well, though, in the subjects he studied hard for. The midterms are meant to show students the areas that perhaps need improvement or extra help. Why do you complain about the district working to address issues so that kids can work on areas they need improvement in?
Lisa
1:14 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
All of my children did amazingly well on their mid-terms, enough already with your failing schools nonsense. Our schools are not failing and your continuing bashiing of our schools serve no-one. If you are so unhappy here, you should just move. It is really getting very old.
Cynthia Cumming
1:30 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Also, teachers administer the tests, not the BOE. Any administrative questions pertaining to the midterms should be directed towards Dr. Donna Rando, Assistant Superintendent and in charge for curriculum, at drando@woboe.org.
Carla Cadet
5:35 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
First of all, at no time did I protest the midterms nor did I mention the middle school. My comment was that I was concerned about the exams because of an experience we had. I have no problem with midterms - they are a good tool or measurements. My comments were geared toward the fact that so many students had failed a particular exam (and it was my understanding that the same had occurred the previous year). I mentioned this at the meeting last night, so that the administration would be aware, not because I had an issue. I think the exams need to be reviewed and the instructors need to ensure that adequate review is provided - in class and at home. I believe our schools do a great job preparing our students, but as this is a new process, it needs to be reviewed/tweaked -- that's all. As I indicated, I've already spoken with the instructor and the supervisor.
Please people -- do not speak for me!
Lisa
9:30 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Carla,
I think you are correct and I think the Patch article took your comments way out of context. I was not at the board meeting so I cannot comment. But clearly it appears that your problem is not with mid-terms but with a particular subject midterm. That is completely appropriate to complain about and the Patch did a poor job of stating your point. It seems they made it much bigger than it was.
To your point, midterms are what they are and they should be reflective of the work the students have done throughout the two marking periods. As a parent who had a child in the HS when we had just finals, it was much worse becuase the students were expected to study for an entire school year's worth of material and then it was 1/5 of the grade. If a child did not test well, it could sink an entire year's worth of effort. ( I speak from experience on that!) At least with having a mid-term the students do have a two chances so all hope is not lost. Hopefully the teacher will take your comments into account and try to figure out why the students do well in their classes and then do poorly on the mid-term. Hopefully they can construct a better final for that class.
Cynthia Cumming
6:45 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thanks for the clarification! The midterm process may need tweaking but it is not reflective of a failing school district.
Sherley Jean-Baptiste
9:49 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'm surprised and disappointed that the Patch would report parents voicing their concerns during Public Comments at a BOE meeting as a protest.
The Stig
10:42 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
You cannot be serious. It's an open public meeting, anything you say can and will be published. Otherwise people could make any type of accusation and face no scrutiny. If you want an off-the-record meeting, go see the principal or superintendent in private.
Eileen Roth
10:04 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It is part of the public record and it let's the rest of us know how our neighbors feel about the topic.
A paper newspaper would report on comments made at any public meeting, why not our online Patch!
Gary Englert
10:23 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Eileen Roth & Sherley Jean-Baptiste: I have no objection to a news report about concerns that are being addressed by parents at a public meeting but, this particular report raises more questions than it answers.
My questions would be as follows:
1. How many is "some parents" and who are they? Numbers are certainly germane here as a handful of people certainly doesn't suggest some groundswell of concern.
2. Were the complaints concerning one school, one course and one exam or are we talking multiples of any or all the aforementioned?
Sherley Jean-Baptiste
7:51 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Nobody's saying anything about not reporting comments that were made at the "Public Session" of the Televised board meeting. Key word here is PROTEST.
Cynthia Cumming
1:29 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
WOW.
Jack Durschlag
2:37 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Folks - Once again people are straying off topic, making false and inflammatory comments and outrageous charges. Patch Terms of Services do not permit this. The agreement you signed in order to comment on our sites specifically states this is not permitted. I have deleted a previous comment and will close this article for posting if this behavior continues. Patch reserves the right to delete or close comments to prevent this from happening. Please maintain a level of decorum necessary to keep the discussion flowing. Thank you.
Cynthia Cumming
4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Pilar your deleted post was very inflammatory and unsubstantiated. I do not know you but if would like to discuss anything with me personally I am easily found.
Linda
5:43 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Yes, I agree...inflammatory, unsubstantiated. I was shocked.
john anthony prignano
4:12 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Pilar There was nothing wrong with your post . On the contrary , it was a superbly written piece. " Patch " is not in control of Patch . They have eliminated Freedom of Speech . At least some of their employees are going places , trust me .
Linda
5:10 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I don't know what school, teacher, class or test was being referred to by the parent in the meeting. I get frustrated with the idea that it is always someone else's fault when a student doesn't get the grade that they wanted (or the parent wanted). When they do well they take the credit and praise, so how about taking responsibility for the F. If the teacher was responsible for the F then the teacher must also be responsible for the A (not the student). Let's teach the kids how to take responsibility. My child has been able to glide along smoothly with A's and little effort until now. This year he is learning that his grade is not the teacher or anyone else's fault or responsibility. He has to work harder, study more, and ask questions (seek tutoring...) to get those A's. If he doesn't get the grade he knows he tried his hardest and "it is what it is". The lesson as they move into high school is that nothing falls into your lap...you have to work for it, some more than others, but it is up to you (the student) to make the grade. This, obviously, is an excellent life lesson as well.