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Board hears raised SOL cut scores and reviews updates to facility-use, homebound and cell-phone regulations
Summary
Dr. Bishop told the board that state cut-score increases will raise passing thresholds across grades and subjects (examples: third-grade reading to 418, fourth-grade reading to 426). The board also received informational updates on facility-use fees (KGR), homebound instruction forms (IGBGR) and the cell-phone regulation (JFCM).
The board heard a presentation on raised Standards of Learning (SOL) cut scores and informational updates to several regulations.
A presenter identified in discussion as Dr. Bishop said the board of education has increased cut scores for the upcoming year and that the former pass score of 400 "is no longer that pass score." He said increases vary by grade and subject — for 2026–27 the change ranged roughly from 8 to 26 points in the examples given — and cited third-grade reading moving to 418 and fourth-grade reading to 426. The presenter told the board he was confident students could meet the new expectations with continued emphasis on instructional materials and teacher feedback.
Board members also reviewed an informational update to regulation KGR on community use of school facilities, describing an updated application and a fee schedule that charges for-profit groups full hourly rates, nonprofit groups half that rate, and approved affiliated government organizations no fee; custodial, technology and supervision charges may still apply. The board discussed regulation IGBGR (homebound correspondence/alternate instruction), which narrows which medical professionals may sign required medical forms to align with recent state legislation. The cell-phone regulation JFCM was noted as being relocated within the manual rather than substantively changed: students are not to use cell phones while inside the school building but may use them when they exit.
Board members did not vote on these informational regulation updates at the meeting; some clarifying questions were asked about implementation and packet locations for the fee schedule.
