At its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 11, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education discussed the criteria, qualifications, and appeals process for admission into advanced middle school math courses. The new criteria is similar to what was adopted for changes to high school honors and AP courses last school year, which initially caused a stir among parents worried that the parental override system would not be utilized (WW-P News, December 2, 2011).
For grade eight placement, students currently in seventh grade pre-algebra honors with a three-marking-period average of C or higher would continue in the honors program. Students with a three-marking-period average lower than a C would be eligible for algebra 8.
Students currently in seventh grade pre-algebra with a three-marking-period average of A or B would be invited to take a test covering prerequisite skills needed for algebra honors but not covered in pre-algebra. Students who score 70 percent or higher on the test would be eligible for algebra honors.
Students with a three marking period average of C (or A or B who do not get 70 percent or higher on the test) would only be eligible for algebra 8.
Students with a three marking period average of D or F would be eligible for algebra 1 Part 1.
In all of the scenarios above, parents may appeal a student’s placement, and the middle school principal and supervisor would look at the student’s final exam and fourth marking period grade to determine their eligibility.
For current sixth graders, entering seventh grade students with a final average of B or higher would be eligible for honors pre-algebra. At this level parents may also appeal the student’s placement, and afterwards a principal and supervisor would look at the student’s final exam and NJ ASK scores.
Also at its September 11 meeting, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education approved the following personnel items:
Laura Bruce has been made the full-time assistant principal at Village School. She will earn a prorated salary of $104,075. Bruce had been serving as the acting assistant principal.
Victoria Campbell has been appointed as an integrated preschool teacher at Village School. She replaces Marissa Farber, who transferred. Campbell will earn $54,180.
Krista Coleman was appointed as a science teacher at High School North. She replaces Heather Orlando, who resigned. Coleman will earn $52,200.
Kelly Marshall has been appointed guidance counselor at Maurice Hawk Elementary. She replaces Karen Cook, who resigned. Marshall will earn a prorated salary of $54,350.
Karen Paulvin has been appointed as a psychologist at Community Middle School. She replaces Suzanne McMaster, who resigned. Paulvin will earn $57,040.
School psychologist Melissa Dente was changed from duties only at Village School to 50 percent at Village and 50 percent at Community Middle School.
Speech language specialist Jamie Wall was changed from her role at Grover Middle School to Town Center School.
Jennifer Delgado was appointed as a 10-month secretary at Village School, replacing Susan Schwartz who transferred.
Karen DeGruccio was changed from a secretary to a confidential secretary, with an annual salary of $50,000. She replaces Barbara Davis, who resigned.
Deborah Meissner, a 12-month secretary at High School North, retired from her position after 25 years with the school district.
Donna Cook, another 12-month secretary in the district, received $11,760.05 in unused vacation and sick days, as required per contract.
Teacher Resignations
On Friday, September 7, special education teacher Pascell Sutton resigned from her position at Community Middle School after 13 years with the district. Meanwhile, High School North science teacher Richard Therkom will resign on Tuesday, October 30, after six years with the district.
— The school board approved 14 instructional assistants for special education. For positions between three and 3.5 hours a day, the board approved Annette Lytle, Anna Gostomski, Leah Housel, Yadira Lorenzo, Jharna Mehta, Jennifer Rodgers, Amee Shah, WonJoo Shankoff, Judith Vargyas, Gina Walsh, and Heather Xavier. For 6.5 hours a day, the board approved Linda Schuster, Wendy Siano, and William Thompson.
— The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District entered into an inter-local services agreement with the East Windsor Regional School District for transportation equipment rental and maintenance and field or athletic trip services.
— Through a jointure agreement, WW-P will serve as the transportation services host district to Cranbury Township for 2012-’13. Fifty students will be transported to Notre Dame High School, and WW-P will earn $1,477 in revenue from the agreement.
Also at its, September 11 meeting, the board approved the district’s participation in the Reading and Writing Project Network training program for teachers through Columbia University, at a cost of $75,000. The program will also provide professional development for administrators at a cost not to exceed $8,325 (paid through 2013 No Child Left Behind Title II grant funds).
— The board also approved the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project to supply 85 tickets for teachers and administrators to attend professional development workshops at Columbia. The total cost of the tickets is $4,250, and workshops will be charged per contract less the cost of prepaid tickets.
— The board also approved a contract with New York University Reading Recovery to provide 2012-’13 professional development and technical support for ten Reading Recovery teachers at a cost of $8,000.
— The board approved social worker Susan Rovello to present a professional development workshop titled “Getting Back to the Essential of Teaching” at a Dutch Neck Elementary faculty meeting, for a cost of $250.
