For new Superintendent Dan Freund’s first monthly school board meeting on Tuesday, September 17, several parents were present to complain about the Homecoming ruling that went into effect in 2011 limiting only students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher for consideration for the Homecoming Court.
“To be in sports they have to carry at 1.7 and to be class president they have to carry a 2.0, but for Homecoming it’s a 2.5. It’s not fair to the kids who are struggling in school,” said parent Angie Boyd.
Boyd, along with two other parents, complained that the lists with the eligible students for the Homecoming Court make it obvious to all other students who has a GPA of less than 2.5 since their names don’t appear on the list of kids to vote for.
The change to institute a GPA restriction went into effect in 2011 and parents have appeared at school board meetings since then to try to overturn the decision.
No decision was made at the September 17 meeting about the restriction and the class-voting on Homecoming took place on Wednesday, September 18.
When parents asked why a change couldn’t be considered at this meeting, board members explained that the school administration would need to bring a request for the change to the school board.
In other board developments, Spanish teacher Ben Staub presented to a request to take 6-8 students to Spain this year during Spring Break. The request was approved unanimously.
Parent Don Carsey asked the school board why cheerleaders were not allowed to wear their cheerleading uniforms to class on the days of games. The response given to parents was that it was “inappropriate.”
“If it’s appropriate enough to wear in public at the games, then it should be appropriate enough to wear around their peers,” explained Carsey.
There was no further discussion on the uniform policy.
The school board shared that Directions Credit Union, JoAnn Fabrics and Pleasant Valley Lutheran donated needed school supplies as open enrollment went up 14 percent this year, creating a need for more books and supplies.
An additional discussion took place about the rotted wood in the windows of the Middle School which has made it difficult to crank windows closed. Suggestions were made on ways to fix the windows and will be considered.
“To be in sports they have to carry at 1.7 and to be class president they have to carry a 2.0, but for Homecoming it’s a 2.5. It’s not fair to the kids who are struggling in school,” said parent Angie Boyd.
