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Parents urge testing changes; board approves Beta trip and accepts booster donations
Summary
During public comment, a parent warned about student stress from high-stakes testing and said he will collect signatures for test refusals; the board approved five seniors' trip to the National Beta Convention and accepted booster-club donations for scoreboards and supplies.
Two public commenters addressed the board during the May 4 meeting. Heather Cochwell thanked the board and asked members to attend school events when possible; Jesse Gordon, a parent, urged the board to reconsider current high-stakes testing practices.
"Our children go to school 180 days a year yet the entire focus seems to be preparing for a single test," Gordon said, arguing that testing has increased student stress and that alternatives and varied assessment pathways should be available. He said he will collect signatures over the summer to petition for parent refusals for state testing in 2026–27 so the administration can plan for impacts on metrics and staffing.
Separately, the board approved a request from Cara Baker for five Northumberland High School seniors to attend the National Beta Convention in Tennessee, June 16–20; no additional funding was requested beyond $2,000 already budgeted. The board also accepted four donations from the Northumberland Booster Club and the Women’s Club, including scoreboards valued at $27,728.40 and $12,235 and smaller contributions totaling $300.
The board acknowledged public comments and noted graduation and other end-of-year events on the calendar.
