North Adams School Committee Delays Reducing Academics for Sports
 Drury High School Principal Amy Meehan advocates for a change in academic standards for sports participation at Tuesday night's School Committee meeting. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee was split Tuesday night on the notion of reducing academic requirements for students participating in sports programs.
On a 4-2 vote, the committee decided to table the matter for further investigation.
The proposal from school administrators would require students to pass only four — instead of five — core courses to keep playing sports. The change would keep the school system in line with Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association standards.
Superintendent James Montepare said the proposal would revamp policy to make sure kids are doing well in core courses and are still eligible to participate in programs that keep them engaged in school.
But School Committee member Mark Moulton was opposed from the beginning of the discussion.
"Lowering standards is the wrong thing to do," he said. "You should be able to pass these courses if you are going to participate in extracurricular activities. I would not support lowering the standards."
Member Mary Lou Accetta said she "sees the connection between kids being able to take part in sports, and doing well in classes." She argued that student engagement in extracurricular activities keeps kids in school.
"I think you are underestimating our kids," Accetta said.
Moulton saw it differently.
"I think some will be OK with flunking one or more courses knowing there won't be a consequence. Not very many, but some."
He again referred to the proposal as "going backward."
Drury High School Principal Amy Meehan and others reminded the committee that core course standards are higher today.
"Years ago they decided to look at policies, with the advent of MCAS as a graduation requirement. MIAA minimum standard is passing four Carnegie units (like a traditional yearlong English course) and the committee decided then that students should pass five including English and math," she said.
"The superintendent is bringing this forth to look at going back to the MIAA standard," Meehan continued. "For the students who need the benefit of being in an organized situation where they're learning many life lessons beyond the classroom – about self-discipline, being part of a team, going to practice every day, doing what you need to do – that's really what this is about.
'We're winning every day with our AP classes and the rigor that we've introduced at the school. We're a much different school now than we were years ago. We're taking a look at this to reflect our current student demographic and who we are today."
Moulton moved to table the matter for more discussion, swaying members Larry Taft, John Hockridge and David Lamarre.
Members Heather Boulger and Mary Lou Accetta voted against tabling the proposal.
Taft said he was voting to table "not to oppose it but to work on it some more and get it right."
In other business, the School Committee:
• Received a brief update on the Colgrove Park Elementary School project. Chairman Mayor Richard Alcombright said the project is on time and on budget, with new windows being installed and landscape work being completed for the season.
"It's coming along quite well," he said.
• Discussed the need to begin considering redistricting in preparation for the opening of the Colgrove Park Elementary School. Redistricting would move some students from current elementary schools into the Colgrove district. The new elementary school will have a capacity of 310 students.
Committee members were assured that the district will make every attempt to spread programming for special education students across the school system. Montepare said "schools will be well-equipped to accommodate these programs."
• Adopted provisions of a state Domestic Violence Leave Act that requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide work leave to victims of domestic violence. The policy adopted by the committee provides for unpaid leave and omits any requirement stating an employee must exhaust other leave options.
Members were concerned that some victims of domestic violence would have no financial support during such a leave.
• Approved a Drury High School band trip to Rhythms International Music Festival in Philadephia, and a benefit concert for the North Adams Police Association to be held at Drury on March 21, 2105.
