The Salem Community High School Board Monday night agreed to a policy change that would allow students in all grades to avoid finals throughout their high school career.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering explains the change.
“If freshmen and sophomores had all A’s and B’s were exempt from one exam that they got to pick. Now they will get to be exempt from any exam that they have an A or B in the class. And we will still recommend to parents that if they feel like their students need to take the semester exam they can do that with no penalty. So if they take the test and get a better grade they can have that grade, if they don’t do as well they will keep their grade. So there is no penalty if a parent thinks the kid needs some practice for college.”
Juniors and Seniors can already avoid finals with good grades. Detering adds earning A’s and B’s shows the students already know the material. He notes many colleges are also placing less emphasis on cumulative finals.
The school board approved a tentative amended budget for the current school year that shows all funds well in the black. Final approval of the amended budget will be on the agenda next month.
The board also gave final approval to a new three-year agreement with the City of Salem for the School Resource Officer program following tentative approval last month. Detering thanked the city for continuing the program and commended the work of the high school’s School Resource Officer Craig Vieira in making everyone feel safer and the positive interaction he has daily with students.
The board approved Marion County Savings Bank’s bid to be its banking facility.
TSS Photography was awarded the school photography bid. They replace Mike Williams who is retiring.
The board will keep Leymone Hardcastle as its auditor. The one-year contract is for $11,300 with a potential $4,000 increase if additional auditing is required.
In personnel news, Lillie Risley was employed as Family Consumer Science Teacher and Barth Bookhout as social studies teacher. The board accepted the resignation of Lynnsey Heinzmann as dance team coach.
