Tiffin City Board of Education Tuesday night discussed several topics dealing with change.
Bill Beaston, high school physical education teacher, presented the board with changes in how students are graded in physical education classes. Now, there are six standards by which students will be graded.
There is a new style of grading; instead of the typical A, Band C grading, students will be rated as advanced, proficient, limited or non participatory. There will also be an exception for students who are not able to participate, and they will not be penalized.
These changes will also effect teachers, Beaston said. Teachers will have to process their curriculum and incorporate the skills and practice into their lesson plans.
How the standards will be graded are based on a 50-point system, Beaston said.
"I see a greater balance in my grading now," Beaston said.
Students now have the opportunity to raise their grade that they didn't have before, he said.
There is going to be a culture shock with parents and it is important for the system to make sure parents are aware there will be changes in how their children will be graded, Beaston said.
In other business, Mark Verroco presented the board with the new exit exams for this year's freshmen in social studies and how the schools are meeting to discuss how to get students and teachers prepared for the exams.
The board also approved the five-year financial forecast for the fiscal years ending June 2013-17.
A 5-mill renewal levy will expire and need to be put back on the ballot in 2014, said Sharon Perry, board treasurer.
The levy would generate $1.6 million and its loss would result in a negative cash balance, Perry said.
The board also approved contract with North Central Ohio for special education services. For the fiscal year 2013, the estimated annual amount would be $734,814.98. This will be used for special education and gifted services to students and the amount will be adjusted throughout the year as needed, said Perry.
Superintendent Don Coletta discussed the "excellent" rating Tiffin City Schools received. State ratings were announced last week.
"I wanted to again thank the teachers, staff and students," Coletta said.
Coletta also addressed the board on the permanent improvement levy on the ballot this November.
"This levy is not used for salaries, it is for the safety and operations of the building," Coletta said.
In other business, the board:
Heard an Equity Quest update from Lindsay Rellinger to incorporate special education services in Tiffin City Schools.
Heard committee reports.
Approved employment of professional staff effective with the 2012-13 school year.
Approved contracts and stipends.
Accepted donations.
Approved the tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year.
Heard first reading of proposed revised bus driver handbook.
Approved supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2013.
The next regular meeting is to be at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 in the Tiffin Middle School's cafetorium.
