Linton schools table grade scale change

The Linton-Stockton School Corporation Board of School Trustees voted to table making changes to the current grading scale at Monday's board meeting.

The board will be having a work session May 8 at 6 p.m. in the Middle School Media Center, in which Superintendent Nick Karazsia said he hopes the public will offer their opinion and ask questions of the Grading Scale Committee and school board members.

Karazsia explained the work session will take into account the possibility of changing the grade scale to the 90 percent as an A, 80 percent as a B, 70 percent as a C and 60 percent and below as an F.

The board will also discuss the 80-20 policy, where 80 percent of the student's grade consists of test scores and 20 percent is from homework. In coordination with the policy, if students get below a certain score on a test they are given the option to retake the test.

The board may also consider making changes to the class retake policy. Karazsia explained Linton-Stockton's policy states if students take a class twice to try for a higher score, the two grades are averaged together in their grade point average. Whereas, at other schools the higher of the two grades is calculated and the lower score is dropped.

This work session will allow anyone concerned about the school's current grading policy to give their input on how it is hurting or helping students. Many parents of Linton-Stockton students have expressed an issue with the grading scale.

Linton's grading scale has 70 percent as a passing grade, compared to the other four county schools who have a 60 percent passing grade.

High School Principal Nathan Moore explained previously, "We want grades to reflect college readiness. If you are used to working hard, then once you get to college or a trade school it will be easier. This is like practice, then you go to the game. You practice, then you go to the game so you can enjoy it."

Moore noted the Grading Scale Committee has looked through data to learn more about the grade scale and how it effects students. He said the major issue the committee sees is county-wide scholarships that are based on grade point average.

In other business, the board voted to approve a bid from Adler Computing for a total of 278 Lenovo Thinkpad laptops for the elementary school at a total cost of $564 per unit.

Karazsia said the computers would be used for 120 third grade students, 38 elementary school teachers and 120 elementary school computer labs.

The board also approved to collect bids for 354 computers to accommodate the sixth grade classes, middle school computer labs and high school computer labs.

The school board voted to extend the coaching contract with Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Joey Hart. They awarded Hart with a two year contract with a one year rollover. Hart led the varsity team to the state finals basketball tournament this year.

Board president Ralph Witty updated the board on the construction of the Middle School Project and updates at the elementary school.

"They are on schedule, if not a little ahead of schedule," Witty noted.

He added the block work for the Middle School Project was complete, and the construction would continue with pouring of the floor next week and trusses will be put up the following week.

Linton-Stockton High School teacher Jessica Stanton told the board her classroom is located directly across from the construction.

"We feel like the workers are being very conscientious. You can tell the majority of the noise is kept for after 3 p.m., and we really appreciate that," Stanton noted.