Approval of a modified grading process for advanced placement classes, purchase of a vehicle, employment of a part-time employee and review of a portion of board policy were items on the agenda Friday afternoon as the Belle Plaine Board of Education met. The meeting had been postponed from the usual Wednesday date because of bad weather.
Students taking advanced placement (AP) courses, currently in history and government will be graded on a five-point scale starting immediately. The AP course offerings could be expanded to biology and math next year.
Currently, Belle Plaine students are graded on a four-point scale, with an A grade required for the four points. But AP teachers asked the board to adopt the five-point scale for those courses, so that students who might receive a B in a tougher advanced placement course would not be penalized on their overall grade point ranking. Students would earn five points for an A grade in advanced placement courses, four points, for a B, etc.
While some board members questioned the timing of the implementation of the change, the measure passed.
Superintendent Bill Lynch asked the board for approval to purchase a used pick-up truck for the maintenance department. Following some discussion, he was given approval to purchase a vehicle for up to $20,000.
The board also approved the creation of a four-hour per week part-time position at the high school for a homework assistance program. The employee would be available one hour per day, four days per week after school to assist students with homework concerns. A similar program already exists at the junior high level, Lynch said.
Much of the meeting was devoted to the review of the 200 series of board policy. The board reviews its policies on a regular basis, every few years. The 200 series concerns board elections, code of ethics, meeting procedures, etc.