[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6068172,"mediaKeyId","3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040","parentId",3108616,"title","Plymouth-Canton middle schools switch to 5‑point grading scale; district says gaps are closing","audioSeconds",1296,"startMs",3754000,"endMs",5050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040&start=3754&end=5050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040/thumbnail_3754000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6068172/Michigan/Plymouth-Canton-middle-schools-switch-to-5point-grading-scale-district-says-gaps-are-closing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068172-3fabe7db61013c50b1f8af1dc881d9c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037475&Signature=KvcIJpuZAWDosxCJA93eypPdNVmJIIeCrbg9AfnoYyDxgtlXt5UHOObG3Ecbh1PZx49LK3l5aBTWMMBO1RXuXc6vfj-mF1QTEnXTHthjuobDnuLqMQhtO9bKYnZvLXXo99r2jjte~0gChFhA7NUpATpCYG86TtY7P4ufZluNRak7otlQFR6mzNrjdKctoTRk6iPPt0R-n84OOFgBLZp~v4MZ5PDCvCoXRykYtZTbWbh7G6YyHA2-ZN~awp~dZkoPNI1WgpxvZcJKmDrW9lgtYsU2hZMKnwlQRF-hTWANw8hfAGKVPlh43-FRwCQ1X2cTIqP01I3RdQEj0y-gs~9azw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","P-CCS TV","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools officials presented data to the Board of Education showing the district’s new Middle School Common Grading Framework produced fewer failing semester grades and narrowed demographic performance gaps.

The framework replaces the traditional 100‑point averaging system with an equal‑interval five‑point scale and sets common categories and weightings: summative assessments (60%), learning checkpoints (35%) and practice (5%). Anthony Reller, introduced as executive director of bridal school education, told the board the 5‑point scale corrects what the district called a mathematical inaccuracy in the previous averaging method, where very low scores disproportionately pulled down averages.

The district reported semester‑one passing rates (A–D) increased across English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies when compared with a four‑year baseline. Reller said the percentage of E grades fell from 5.5% in 2021–22 to 1.2% in 2024–25 while A‑rates modestly declined, a pattern district leaders said argues against grade inflation and instead reflects more accurate representation of mastery.

Reller and district staff outlined practices that accompany the scale: common task categories, agreed grading language for adults and students, and expectations for multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. He said teachers may accept late practice work up to unit assessment deadlines and that teachers will provide feedback on practice without necessarily assigning it heavy grade weight.

Student co‑chair Josh Patterson asked whether students would routinely be granted retake opportunities; Reller said departments set common practices and that multiple attempts are expected for many assessment types. Board members asked about family response. Administrators said they had received a handful of inquiries last year during soft rollout and few parent complaints in the first mandatory implementation year; one counselor forwarded a student‑reported improvement story.

District staff said the change is intended to make grades a more valid communication about student mastery, and to reduce the weight of compliance tasks (for example, credit for completing homework) on final grades. Reller said middle‑level and high‑school teams have coordinated work so the high school will have clearer transmission of what middle school grades mean for incoming students.

Board members asked about transfer students from other districts; Reller said other districts use a range of approaches but none he knew matched PCCS’s exact technical implementation.

The presentation included appendices with documentation and a parent‑facing video the district provided earlier in the school year. District leaders said they will continue to collect semester‑two outcomes and teacher feedback, and they plan additional professional development to support teachers using the framework.

The board did not take a formal vote on the presentation; the district framed the item as an informational, implementation update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","P CCS Board of Education Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools officials presented data to the Board of Education showing the district’s new Middle School Common Grading Framework produced fewer failing semester grades and narrowed demographic performance gaps.","taxTitle","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",13579,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068152,"Residents urge support for diversity, while others press for policy reinstatement; board hears wide‑ranging public comments",1829,1009000,2838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040&start=1009&end=2838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040/thumbnail_1009000.jpg","/articles/6068152/Michigan/Residents-urge-support-for-diversity-while-others-press-for-policy-reinstatement-board-hears-wideranging-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068152-48d3b97688ee20863f182b8b681a164e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037475&Signature=emakWUlqyV79fDNGK4Cp1~hP0LE6PKfSu8Vxkfghski3B5bd-Q0JqGfEMVXEXR4poYNHgD4PRgyXwE5OXt9y0bES98besYIATDo76AWJvtEvSSsSUVt7oTcASvQVsVudYA0FfrHTjwpcEydI5se-6NNx55zNxZvlgnyA2tVsH8HTUDtEZ~6ZE69mK~ghh~4AMFu7RSFKFyPdW96vaP4cPZgcfvWw0VIvCdWSaMXoT8ziGAxDe3XJC5nY-3hZwNk9ZjcYNb6X~PcDPSrl-m8Lixt6NI~6x2byRB1SaA934gCOAVBCgwfErx4oLHWs2S2b9L7WRX4LCyimxNFW0VDpTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Plymouth‑Canton board meeting covered multiple hot‑button issues, including calls to protect LGBTQ+ students, debate over pronoun use in policy drafts and appeals related to a previously rescinded district policy on abortion referrals.

Several speakers urged the board to stand publicly for the district’s LGBTQ+ students. Rachel Hayes, speaking as a board member of Plymouth‑Canton PFLAG, said transgender students remain vulnerable and asked the board to provide a safe, inclusive school environment, invoking evidence that school connectedness protects youth mental health.

Joan Pence, speaking on behalf of a local group allied with progressive organizations, urged the board to heed the State Superintendent and State Board of Education resolutions and to honor diversity after the district rescinded policy 24.10 (a policy that had constrained non‑parental staff from providing abortion referrals). Several speakers saw the rescission as reducing protections; others spoke in favor of allowing staff to provide information about state law and resources.

One speaker, Colin Miranda, addressed the board about a first reading of multiple policies and raised a stylistic and grammatical objection to replacing singular third‑person pronouns (he/she) with singular “they” in policy language. Miranda cited grammar guides and said he considered the change inappropriate for official policy documents.

In response, Rachel Hayes and other speakers said inclusive language is about student safety and acceptance and questioned whether grammatical concerns should supersede students’ need for affirmation.

Superintendent Merritt and board members acknowledged the public comments; the transcript records policy committee first readings scheduled for several policy numbers and notes first/second reading items on the consent agenda. No policy decisions were finalized at the meeting; several policy items were listed for future action.","At public comment the board heard appeals to protect LGBTQ+ students and maintain inclusive practices, a critic urging correction of gender‑neutral pronoun usage in district policy drafts, and discussion about a rescinded local policy (24.10) governing staff referrals for abortion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068157,"Board reviews AV bid pack, interactive flat panels and Chromebook purchase tied to bond and curriculum",0,8379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040&start=8379&end=8379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040/thumbnail_8379000.jpg","/articles/6068157/Michigan/Board-reviews-AV-bid-pack-interactive-flat-panels-and-Chromebook-purchase-tied-to-bond-and-curriculum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068157-71288b558cb6ef70a7eb04f474a699bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037475&Signature=Lnipvr8c2bENSJJmcge5SDjA7jc9QAJiTV8wJkML7ICqsGCmJjnCuuaRiKp70OMMhR~pypviqhqcVmD9FRuAfi5bO1Qt1~SIBYu12UYYH~xOkstQ~0Gcc-D~GbJb-upSsdKD3utz4p-B31sR0W-1S5XTUCATGjjFAZyBUaFZEmDrgRjdhhRqNGlvhdY2p4hEa-AgnucPFZsTff5FjqwD5FYPDPetIEbbB7ZVAfNQQt1rvVDFo65P9-pADxPVq43kVk~UhGaU7m1BVdspQa0wiiCcyaVgd-wTpbgvNzwfCDZs2plKww81XQEKOoFbBPNHy8BEib6ach-xQa2pMS6rHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff brought multiple instructional technology and materials items to the board for review during first readings.

Bid Pack T‑11: Administration presented awards for Bid Pack T‑11, covering projectors and audiovisual equipment for bond projects (work at Farron Elementary and Salem High School and a planned AV refresh at the park and Starkweather). Staff said principals and users recommended replacing some ultra short‑throw projectors with interactive flat panels; the third phase of AV work is scoped over two or three summers. Staff noted the vendor offered seven‑year warranties on new panels and that pricing cannot be guaranteed year‑to‑year; the administration proposed an owner's allowance and contingency to mitigate possible price changes from tariffs or market movement.

Chromebooks for math: The board considered purchasing 54 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2 tablets to support the district’s middle school math rollout with Amplify Desmos. District staff said the detachable, tablet‑style devices will allow teachers to leave their desks and support students during lessons; the package price discussed was about $22,086 for bundled teacher devices and cases. The board discussed whether the purchase should be funded from the general fund or bond technology budgets and asked administration to determine whether bond funds could be applied.

Piano course materials: Teaching and learning staff presented a first reading to add 40 copies each of Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book 2 and 3 to support differentiated levels within the piano studies course; estimated cost was about $1,100.

The board did not take final votes on these procurement items during the meeting; they were presented as first readings. Members asked for more detail on warranty/service terms for AV equipment, contemplated funding sources for Chromebooks, and confirmed principals’ input on AV decisions.","The board heard first readings of awards for bond Bid Pack T‑11 (AV equipment), discussed migrating some classrooms to interactive flat panels, and reviewed purchases of 54 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2s tied to a middle school math curriculum (Amplify Desmos) as well as first reading for piano course materials.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068162,"Board approves resolution calling on Congress to fully fund IDEA after decades of shortfalls",565,9389000,9954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040&start=9389&end=9954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040/thumbnail_9389000.jpg","/articles/6068162/Michigan/Board-approves-resolution-calling-on-Congress-to-fully-fund-IDEA-after-decades-of-shortfalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068162-d11c6a89598ef9749e07f12df2213cfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037475&Signature=V13K6krByvc0iCplAOX9C1S4OsaGX7y7YQ9uCnXXAM~poYENzvSJmoksLNDmYyvUsEBfw7XdsIDKCXinHBhgGO9MDl6AHHwb2WMzCQTR9XArb~Vdv4Iyv0e~upoImiJ5~I5CCH2MhqKyjsxni9TC0Na5GDeVrgko6q7S2OV9YXOJbrQwqhY7OytW8axkspdp9hSyjE57zqVLR8HBGRJGztwnIG7nV7B9XS9bSthxWRg2hCBjnE8BHaATdSUMMv3ionVNeRrB1mcFFbUyRNXfm2~pJQbWYYlnauI5ef0l3Scf52AtEHfCY5GNvq0XPRDzA56G5dnVNW8i2eZntpIgnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools Board of Education voted to adopt a resolution calling on Congress to enact S.2217 / H.R.4519 (the IDEA Full Funding Act) and urging the state legislature to provide equitable funding for schools.

Board members read the resolution aloud during the meeting. The text recited the district’s reliance on federal special education funding and noted the federal commitment in IDEA to fund roughly 40% of the average per‑pupil cost for special education services; the resolution says that commitment has never been met and is currently funded at about 10.7%. The resolution identified that approximately 11.5% of PCCS students are served through special education and that federal underfunding requires districts to reallocate local dollars from other programs.

The item was moved for approval as a first and final reading. The transcript records the motion, a second, discussion by several board members in favor of passage, and a roll call style prompt. One board member said they would abstain; the chair then announced the motion carried.

No implementing action followed within the meeting: the resolution is a formal statement of the board’s legislative position and does not itself change district programs. The board asked administration to forward the approved resolution through appropriate channels.","The Plymouth‑Canton Board of Education unanimously moved to approve a resolution urging Congress to enact legislation to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) over a 10‑year mandatory schedule; one board member recorded an abstention at the final vote.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068167,"Parents press Plymouth‑Canton board over threats, express frustration with school response",715,2951000,3666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040&start=2951&end=3666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108616-0c1485adff84cae07aaf41d8c05a7040/thumbnail_2951000.jpg","/articles/6068167/Michigan/Parents-press-PlymouthCanton-board-over-threats-express-frustration-with-school-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068167-23c15238a1a9c60bf940d6f2a40e613b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037475&Signature=SsroNoy5hrI3KDo3ywpEBqdaE5Eho5OYiRm1pfmNwKSbqIY6cfN-PMO24rGnw9r1GKYJWnl0wSS2D0wRt3iRGqQPP2TK-71QY7rXA4I9~wko83QmyP8tjQqjgwRXbN2oYoQrq3L7Zu2~cZKODBzwsC0JcqYJlvET~YM97JzwYhd7m00XrDaM3RtTlOVd7~7h6XCyFSePf8DHAoP8UfFOARSYEA0-7MM6IP02EWzYWlAIPyskGrO3nBuEeSm5z9P1dnFID10Bdxql-MYq4pDHFsZG77YJSDKxVZb3a8xSnv1M1jYziPzBS7DfANliskGBQ-LAAOi~28WuCELyu~pxxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents from Miller Elementary told the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools Board of Education they remain fearful after a March threat by a fifth‑grade student and said district and school responses left families without sufficient reassurance.

Several speakers described the same incident during the citizen comment portion of the board meeting. Sheila Dudley, acting as a concerned grandparent, said a fifth‑grader told other students he would “bring a gun to school and shoot everybody” around March 13 and urged the board to adopt “zero tolerance” for threats regardless of student age. Dudley said federal data and Secret Service research indicate attackers commonly show warning signs and argued schools should act swiftly on threats.

Multiple parents spoke about delays in communication and the student’s continued presence on buses and at the school after the incident. Yolontia (spelling in transcript) Washington said she first learned of the episode days after it occurred and that the student still rides the bus to school; she said the response she received from staff was “not satisfying.” Angelica Johnson said the child told classmates he was mentally ill and would kill someone if he did not take medication, and she said she had filed police reports and had been told the incident was not mere rumor.

A parent who identified herself as the mother of an affected child requested greater consistency in safety drills and said she had reviewed school drill records and found times inconsistent with district expectations. Parents asked district leadership to consider measures such as backpack checks, additional supervision at bus stops and clearer communication with families.

Superintendent Monica Merritt acknowledged the concerns during the meeting and staff said they had conducted follow‑up and offered specific measures — including backpack checks before the student could enter school — though parents told the board they still felt unsafe and that the child had returned to school. Some speakers said they had filed police reports with local law enforcement.

Board members thanked speakers and the board will continue to address the issue through its administrative channels; no board vote or change to district policy occurred at the meeting. District officials said they would review drill records and safety protocols and work with school administrators, but at the meeting they did not announce further immediate changes.","Multiple parents told the board their children’s elementary school experienced an incident in March in which a fifth‑grade student allegedly threatened to ‘shoot the school.’ Parents said notification and follow‑up left them unsatisfied and asked the district to strengthen safety responses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Plymouth-Canton middle schools switch to 5‑point grading scale; district says gaps are closing

Residents urge support for diversity, while others press for policy reinstatement; board hears wide‑ranging public comments

Board reviews AV bid pack, interactive flat panels and Chromebook purchase tied to bond and curriculum

Board approves resolution calling on Congress to fully fund IDEA after decades of shortfalls

Parents press Plymouth‑Canton board over threats, express frustration with school response