Board approves Freshman Academy resolution after edits; members debate scope and naming

Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence presented a resolution creating a district Freshman Academy intended to improve ninth-grade outcomes and, over time, graduation rates. He said the district is already piloting summer-bridge work and teacher-team training and argued that focusing on ninth grade is a proven approach to improving graduation.

Nut graf: After discussion the board amended the resolution to remove language in section 3 (which, a board member said, prematurely expressed appreciation for the implementation team) and to remove a specific reference to Thurgood Marshall High School; the amended resolution passed on a recorded vote.

Board debate covered whether the academy should be implemented universally or piloted in select buildings, how the academy would interact with existing building missions (such as STEM work at Thurgood Marshall), whether staff had been identified for every school and whether the funding line items were clearly tied to Title I or other grant sources. Dr. Lawrence said buildings will implement the academy in ways that reflect their schedules and needs and that funding is required now to move the work forward.

A motion was offered to amend the resolution by striking section 3 and removing the named reference to Thurgood Marshall; the motion to amend was accepted by the maker and then the board voted on the amended resolution. The board vote on the amended Freshman Academy resolution recorded five yes votes: President Goodwin, Mister Lacey, Mister Smith, Miss Wieck and Mister Scott.

Ending: The board approved the resolution as amended. Members asked staff to return with implementation details, staffing lists, and how Title funds and other sources would be used to pay the commitment/supplemental bonuses described in the resolution.