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State report provided by superintendent

LISBON — There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the school district’s performance in the latest state report on what the number of high school graduates needing additional academic in college.

“In this particular case, we did not come out looking very good, but there are hidden factors not fully explained in the article,” said school Superintendent Joseph Siefke, speaking at this week’s board meeting.

He was referring to a recent Morning Journal story about how many local 2017 high schools in Ohio needed remedial help in mathematics or English their freshman year of college.

The story was based on an annual report prepared by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, which showed 26 Lisbon graduates from 2017 went on to attend a public university in Ohio, and 62 percent needed some remedial help in math or English. The statewide average was 27 percent.

“This data was pulled from the student’s ACT sub score, and if not high enough a placement test can be administered to determine depth of knowledge in that subject,” Siefke said.

He also noted the study does not take into account Ohio graduates who enrolled in private colleges, and six of Lisbon’s top 10 from 2017 fall into that category, which is probably typical of most districts.

Siefke also pointed out the class of 2018 produced the school’s first winner of the Franklin B. Walters scholarship winner.

“Either way, I am fully confident that we provide a rigorous college prep curriculum for the student to take advantage of,” Siefke told the board.

In other business, the school board agreed to continue to participate in the College Credit-Plus program, with Kent State University as its partner. Under the program, students can take college classes at either the East Liverpool of Salem branches of KSU, with the school district paying the tution and for books.

Officials said about 10 Lisbon students take advantage of the program every year, which costs the district an estimated $7,500 annually. Tuition costs have not changed in several years. Prior to the meeting, the board met to approve the 2019-20 school calendar. Classes will begin on Aug. 20 and end on May 29, 2020, with Christmas break beginning on Saturday Dec. 21 and classes resuming Monday Jan. 6, 2020. Siefke said this is the same schedule as last year.

Junior/Senior High School Principal Keith Edenfield reported that to further enhance security students are now banned from carrying their backpacks with them throughout the school day and instead must leave them in their locker.

He said this was not in direct response to the student found with an airsoft pistol in his backpack while at lunch, but the new policy would certainly address situations such as that.

Households were notified Jan. 7, with the policy taking affect the next day.

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