Honor Society GPA, personnel matters before Southern Local board
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SALINEVILLE - An increase in the cumulative grade point averages required for honor cords awarded to Southern Local High School graduates and induction to the National Honor Society was among matters before the Southern Local Board of Education on Sept. 8.
The board agreed to raise the grade point averages required for membership in the National Honor Society, from 3.3 to 3.4, and for receipt of the honor cord, from 3.0 to 3.4, both on a 4.0 scale.
Justin Krulik, principal of Southern Local High School, said, "The purpose of this change is to establish a consistent and meaningful academic standard for two of the highest academic distinctions we recognize at Southern Local. Aligning both requirements at 3.4 eliminates having different academic benchmarks for recognitions that are intended to represent sustained academic achievement. It also provides students and families with one clear standard to work toward throughout high school."
"A 3.4 GPA represents a strong level of academic performance while remaining an attainable goal for students who put forth the effort and maintain their academic standing. We also believe that academic distinctions should carry a level of expectation that reflects the significance of the recognition. Most importantly, this change is intended to encourage academic achievement rather than limit recognition. Establishing the standard at 3.4 gives students a clear goal beginning early in their high school careers and helps ensure that earning National Honor Society membership or an honor cord continues to represent a meaningful accomplishment," said Krulik.
A 3.0 GPA, or B average, has been established as the minimum required for membership in the national honorary organization, but school districts may set a higher standard for students in their chapters.
As with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which established the National Honor Society in 1921, Southern Local school officials also consider service, leadership and good character in determining juniors and seniors for induction to the group.
The honor cords are presented, often by a parent or teacher, to outstanding students at the high school's annual senior awards program.
The board also:
Approved the appointment of Amanda Vernon as a robotics coach at Southern Local Elementary School.
Vernon will join a team of coaches who have led pupils at the elementary school to robotics competitions at the state and regional levels.
Approved one-year contracts for Kylie Crowl as an intervention specialist at the elementary school and Michelle Hart as a teacher there. Board President Scott Hart abstained from voting on the latter position.
Approved the following personnel for grading positions for the Indian Academy online school: Alyssa Lockhart, for math- grades 7-12; Tiffany Scheel, for sixth grade math; Shannon Rodgers, for English- grades 6-8; Gerard Grimm, for English- grades 9-12; Amanda Wrobleski, for science- grades 7-8; Todd Walter, for science- grades 6 and 9, and social studies, grades 4-9; Lisa Houck, for science- grades 10-12; Andy Vulgamore, for social studies, grades 10-12; Brenda Kekel, for elementary education, art, health and music, all grades K-5; Laurie Ronshak, for art-grades 6-12; Eric Sampson, for health/physical education- grades 6-12; James Ryan Smith for music- grades 6-12; and Ron Infanti, for technology- grades 6-12.
Approved Nicole Kellogg as varsity cheerleading coach and volunteer assistant coaches Jason Riggs, for boys and girls golf and boys basketball, and Justin Green for football.
Approved the hiring of Jessica Thorne and Diane Callehan as full-time bus drivers and Gary Pecorelli as an afternoon custodian at the elementary school.
Approved agreements with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for special education services and with the Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic (doing business as The Counseling Center) for its services to the school district.
Approved reductions in force affecting a classroom aide and two classroom behavior specialists, citing decreased enrollment, staffing needs and operational requirements.
The board's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the elementary school cafeteria.