BELLVILLE, Ohio – The Clear Fork Valley Local Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting April 9, with Common Core and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing once again the most discussed topics of the evening. Presentations by Clear Fork High School and Clear Fork Middle School were also on the evening’s agenda.
The board unanimously passed a “More than a Test Resolution for Our Students” to address the amount of testing in which students are currently expected to participate. Although it does not address PARCC testing by name, the resolution was drafted in response to parental concerns over PARCC testing.
Full text of the resolution may be found here in the agenda.
Parents addressed the fact that PARCC testing was not named in the resolution and Superintendent Janice Wyckoff responded. “Our kids are being defined by an entire system of testing that is larger than just PARCC testing. This is written to say that we do not like the system altogether,” she said.
Wyckoff commended parents and said that due to their efforts, two senators are currently making a move to “get the federal government out of testing.”
She noted that there will always be a curriculum and testing, but not testing to the extent required by PARCC.
Wyckoff pointed out that parents need to stay involved in all aspects of their child’s education, other than just testing and curriculum.
“I received notice yesterday that the department of education is making a change in their bussing regulations on the age level that can drive your busses. How many of you would be comfortable with an 18 year old driving your bus? That means all of our high school seniors can drive 55 of their friends to school and get paid for it,” said Wyckoff.
“You need to keep putting that pressure out there…Where I’m going with this is you’ve got a group of people who are making decisions who think that could possibly be a good one, too,” she added.
Presentations
Clear Fork High School Principal Brian Brown made a presentation to the board and attendees that discussed the school’s educational opportunities and successes.
Brown noted that the school focuses on a pyramid in their teaching philosophy, with the physiological well-being of students as the foundation, followed by safety, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
“As a philosophy as a whole at the high school, and I believe at every building, we want to make sure we are doing all of these things correctly so everything else falls into line…So learning becomes something kids want to achieve, something they know, that they respect, and will gain them respect,” he said. “Those are our future adults. That’s the future of our community right there.”
Brown noted the various AP classes available, the extra-curricular activities, and the many other opportunities available to students.
His extensive presentation included the percentages of students with plans to attend four-year colleges, two-year colleges, military, and the work force.
Clear Fork Athletic Director Benji Bethea also made a presentation.
Bethea noted athletic advertising contracts are currently a source of revenue for the school, as well as a contract with Adidas. He added that the Avita athletic training contract saves the school a significant amount of money.
“Total savings/revenue generated including Avita, Adidas, and advertising is $30,405 per year,” he said.
Clear Fork Middle School Principal Jennifer Klaus made the evening’s final presentation, addressing similar points to Brown’s presentation but noting that blended learning plays a large role at the middle school.
“We focus on a lot of apps and tools,” she said, noting that students have adapted well to technology.
“Some of the focus that we have is making sure we have a safe school climate. We want positive interactions and interventions with the students. We have anti-bullying programs; we work with conflict resolution and we promote character education,” said Klaus.
