Override, class rankings on school board’s special meeting agenda

Maricopa Unified School District’s governing board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at the district office administration building, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy.

Board members will be asked to approve an overnight travel request for two graphic arts teachers to attend a Photoshop World Conference in Las Vegas, an updated personnel schedule and a report to the county superintendent on the projected fiscal year 2010 district ending cash balance.

The main purpose of the special meeting is for the board to discuss and approve arguments for the override election scheduled for Nov. 9.They will be asked to approve a pro/con statement to be used in the override public information pamphlet, which could include the need to meet district growth and reduce class size, as well as to potentially provide support for various programs, including music, art and physical education.

A final reading of a policy modifying the class ranking/grade point average is up for approval. The new policy, retroactive to the class of 2011, would not include AIMS scores in GPA calculations and would change advanced class weighting to a point system.

Athletics and activity eligibility revisions will be the final agenda item, a first reading of the revised policy.

According to MHS assistant principal Shannon Hull in her recommendation to the board, “First, by making the grade checks closer together and more consistent, athletes will be able to become eligible more often.” She adds that more regularly occurring grade checks (every two weeks), and a warning period of only two weeks, will enable parents and coaches to understand where students may need help, as well as aiding students in keeping their grades from slipping.

For the full agenda, click here.

Photo by Joyce Hollis