Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
Curriculum changes within the Math classes of the River Bend School District surfaced on the agenda, of the River Bend Board of Education on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. District instructors presented materials and examples of the effects they anticipated if a certain curriculum was implemented. It would require a student to utilize more math tools to solve problems, versus just memorizing formulas to generate conclusions.
Key arguments focused on the performing tasks that forced the student to “think more” as they performed projects. Presenters were of the opinion that through projects, a student is forced to find solutions and apply the math involved to create these solutions. [The process] forces more thinking about elements of the projects, beyond just the final result. The current schedule of daily testing only pushes the student to create answers, and not to think as much about the elements involved in creating that answer. The evening’s conclusion was a request that the Board of Education carve out some future time for discussions to consider the curriculum change.
Superintendent Dr.Hogue’s report showed an enrollment decline of eight students since the 2020-2021 school year began in September 2020.
Action Items were approved unanimously:
- Calendar: The 2021-2022 Public School Calendar begins August 16, 2021, and ends May 25, 2022. Graduation is scheduled for May 22, 2022.
- Fund Transfer: Interfund transfer of $28,000 to repay a loan from Working Cash, to pay the extra bond payment.
- WACC Contribution: The District’s share of the expense to replace the boiler at WACC facilities has increased to $28,270. This payment will be disbursed over two years from the Health Life Safety Amendment.
The next scheduled meeting of the River Bend Board of Education is Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at Fulton High School.