Lynchburg School Board discusses proposed changes

Lynchburg School Board discussed proposed changes to the division’s 2009-2010 High School Program of Studies to accommodate new courses and come in line with proposed statewide accreditation changes.

Modifications to the Program of Studies are made each year by the school board. Steve Smith, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, briefed officials on the changes at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Because of proposed accreditation changes from the state, the school division must amend its Program of Studies to align with what will likely be approved and impact next year’s ninth-grade students.

For example, Smith said two major proposed changes from the state include adding two new diplomas and increasing the number of credits that need to be earned to achieve an advanced studies diploma.

“These are proposed and they’re out for public comment,” Smith said of the possible accreditation changes.

Even though the proposed changes are not yet approved, division officials must complete a revised Program of Studies, Smith said. If actual changes are different from the proposals, the school system will issue an addendum.

Other changes to the Program of Studies were required because of changes made at the division level, including the addition of new courses such as additional drama offerings and a dual enrollment math course. Other changes include replacing Advanced Placement Latin Literature, no longer being offered by the College Board, with Advanced Latin Literature and the expansion of a personal finance and economics course from a semester-long to a yearlong offering.

All the proposed changes can be found on the division’s Web site at www.lynchburg.org. The board did not take action Tuesday, but will likely approve revisions at its meeting on Nov. 4.

In other news, the board:
- Discussed a possible change in its meeting schedule. Board members, who currently meet twice a month, previously discussed meeting only once a month or meeting once formally and then again in an informal work session.

The board agreed to test the idea of one formal meeting and one work session in November. There was not a formal motion for a change and the issue will likely be discussed again in December.

- Made additional appointments to the Family Life Education Community Involvement Team and the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Board member Keith Anderson will serve on the Special Education Advisory Committee in a consultant capacity. The board has previously not had a representative on the committee.

- Received information on the division’s hiring and recruitment methods.

Fred Stanbery, director of personnel, said the division has been successful in recruiting teachers through job fairs.

He also reported the percentage of minority hires increased from 16 percent in 2007 to 26 for the 2008-2009 school year.