L’view hears Common Core concerns

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education heard concerns about the federal Common Core Standards curriculum from a group of district residents during its October meeting on Tuesday.

Christina Pohlman was the spokesperson for the group, although others also talked about their various concerns with the Common Core Standards. Chief concerns were claims that the federal curriculum was created by private organizations and lobbying groups, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education, without input from state governments, tying adoption of the standards to Race to the Top program funding, and the perceived lack of control of the various states over the curriculum.

The group also had concerns that the new curriculum standards, far from improving education, would actually “dumb down” education for their students.

One man complained that history books written to the new standards had more information about rock star Madonna than either George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, adding that, in his opinion, Common Core was an attempt to “uneducate” American students.

Group members also had concerns about “inappropriate” books and educational materials being used in connection with the standards. Members asked that the Lincolnview board support efforts to “opt out” of the federal curriculum standards.

Lincolnview board member Sally Snyder said she had some concerns with the new federal education standards, and said the board would do further research on the issue.

Lincolnview Superintendent Jeff Snyder, while agreeing that there were uncertainties related to implementation of the Common Core Standards, also reassured the group that the state and local districts do have control over what can be taught, and that Lincolnview staff would continue to work to improve the education of local children. He also noted that, the group’s perception to the contrary, Common Core Standards have not yet been completely been implemented in Ohio schools. “We’re in a transition period right now,” he noted.

Board President Eric Germann, who is also the district’s legislative liaison, also assured the group that the Lincolnview board and administration still have control over what curriculum is implemented at the local level.

Also Tuesday, kindergarten teacher Leanne Pohlman brought several students with her and gave a PowerPoint presentation on what her students were learning in class, including an “ABC Chant” that had board members and others attending the meeting smiling and clapping.

The superintendent also talked about a recent teacher inservice conducted on assessment literacy, as well as student educational goals, and also stressed the importance of teacher collaboration in improving education. “We’re trying to build a habit of collaboration,” Snyder said.

He also noted that the district 1:1 computer initiative appears to be working very well. “We’ve gotten a great response from the laptops,” Snyder told the board.

The superintendent also noted that district enrollment is an even 900 students, and noted that approximately one in six district students attend through open enrollment.

High School-Junior High School Principal Kelly Dye talked about the continuing success of the Lancer boys’ cross country team, which will compete in the regional meet held this Saturday at Tiffin, while Elementary Principal Nita McKinney talked about the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, noting that parents of third-graders would be receiving letters providing their children’s reading scores and whether they are on track to meet the reading requirements.

In other action, the board:

• Heard Treasurer Troy Bowersock report on the status of the district’s state audit, which he said was not completed, with an unqualified (clean) report given Lincolnview by state auditors. The audit can be accessed through the Ohio Auditor of State’s website.
• Authorized a payment to The Marsh Foundation of $17,928 for the 2012-2013 school year.
• Approved Al Arnold as a volunteer varsity assistant girls’ basketball coach, and also issued supplemental contracts to Deb Stetler as senior class advisor, Kristen Harden as National Honor Society advisor, and Jacob Straley as freshman boys’ basketball coach.
• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $2,000 from the Cooper Family Foundation, within the Raymond James Charitable Endowment.
• Approved Gattshall Excavating & Trucking to provide snow removal for the 2013-2014 school year.
• Authorized a severance payment for Brenda Eickholt, as per the negotiated agreement from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014.
• Approved professional development expenditures for Fred Fisher, district maintenance supervisor.
• Authorized a transportation contract with Johnathan and Angela Cowdrick for the current school year.
• Approved a depository agreement with Citizens National Bank of Bluffton, and a certificate of deposit (CD) account registry service agreement with that bank.
• Approved a contract with Jeff Krugh as the district’s Class I domestic water systems operator and wastewater systems operation, effective November 1.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be Tuesday, November 19, at 7 p.m.