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Resident urges board to reconsider National Hispanic Heritage Month resolution and proposed grading-scale change
Summary
A resident told the board that recognizing specific groups with month-long proclamations worsens polarization, and urged the board to reconsider a proposed grading-scale change that would start passing at 60 percent. The resolution appeared on the consent agenda and passed.
Susan Frantz addressed the board during public comment to oppose approval of National Hispanic Heritage Month and to urge reconsideration of a proposed grading-scale adjustment.
"When we recognize any group, no matter who it is, for a whole month ... that's excessive," Frantz said, arguing that such recognitions can polarize rather than unify. She asked the board to reconsider item 6.02, approval of Resolution R17-25, National Hispanic Heritage Month, which was placed on the consent agenda.
Frantz also spoke about a possible change to the grading scale under consideration by the division: a proposed adjustment to begin the grading scale at 60 percent. "I don't agree with the arguments in favor of [starting the grading scale at 60 percent]," she said. "Common sense says that students who perform at high levels will be discouraged when they see those who are not able to perform at high level get something for nothing."
Frantz urged the board to explore other methods to encourage lower-achieving students and to reward high achievers, and to exhaust alternative approaches before changing the current grading system.
That resolution (R17-25) was listed on the consent agenda and the transcript shows consent items were approved during the meeting. The transcript does not record any formal debate of the resolution during the meeting; the comment occurred during the public-comment period.
Frantz's remarks were given during public comment; the transcript does not show any immediate board response to her points other than the subsequent consent vote on the listed agenda items.
