SCHOOL BOARD SPLITS VOTE ON EIGHTH GRADE ACCELERATED ENGLISH CHANGES

In a split vote on Monday, the school board voted to alter the eighth grade English/language arts offering by ending an accelerated option that had some taking 9th grade credit.

The "transformation proposal," as it was titled in the resolution adopted by the board will end the practice of offering the Freshman-year level classes for some eighth graders and, instead, create what was described as "an enhanced/honors curriculum in all eighth grade ELA courses."

The issue received heated debate in April when it was first discussed, with some disagreement over concerns that eighth graders were not ready for higher-level subjects.

On Monday, the board voted, 6-3, to approve the change, with board members Johanna Wright, Donna Smith and Madhu Pai voting against the change.