Board approves new high school grading

TIFFIN — At the Tiffin school's board of education meeting Monday, the board voted to approve a new grading method for the high school. Tiffin Columbian Principal Tim Murray attended the meeting to discuss the change which is called "awarding credit for semester yearlong classes." "I believe (this practice) makes the target much more declared," Murray said. For semester courses, a student must pass two of the three grading marks, which are first quarter, second quarter and exam, to pass the class. For yearlong courses, students will have a first quarter, second quarter, exam and then third quarter, fourth quarter and exam. To pass yearlong courses, a student must pass two of the three grading marks which are two quarter grades and the exam. Murray explained that if a student were to fail one semester but passed the other semester, the student can repeat one semester rather than repeating the whole course. During the superintendent's report, Superintendent Jerry Nadeau discussed the board's recent facility tour, saying there are needs and wants for all of the facilities. "Moving forward, we need to look at what our needs are first and then prioritize how it will work," Nadeau explained. "When we talk about certain things like the administration building and the stadium, those are a different concept than looking at schools." He then said the board is close to concluding its policy update project. He concluded by stating the fall assessment date, which evaluates teaching and learning, will be presented in January. Also at the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Robert Boes presented the first quarter Crystal Apple awards. The first recipients of the school year were Ryan Bloomfield, special needs education aide at Noble Elementary, and Shawn Siebenaller, teacher at Krout Elementary. The board then approved the following action items. 9.1 - setting the board's organizational meeting for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 6, at Tiffin Middle School, 103 Shepherd Dr. 9.2 - approving the annual renewal of Ohio School Board Association membership 9.3 - awarding credit for semester yearlong classes 9.4 - approving the purchase service agreement with Golden Gate Financial Services 9.5 - approving the job description of director of student services 9.6 - approving the PBIS, restraint and seclusion policy 9.7 - approving board compensation for the next service year. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Tiffin Middle School, 103 Shepherd Dr., Tiffin.