First-grade promotion standards will change

The Columbia County school board Tuesday established new promotion standards for first-graders.

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Starting next school year, first-grade pupils must meet five of six reading standards and 10 of 14 math standards to move on to second grade.

Board members decided in February to abandon the current grading system based on averages and use "standards based" report cards, starting with the next class of first-graders.

Current report cards show an average of tests given to pupils during a semester. A standards-based report card will measure how well pupils mastered the subject at the end of the semester.

Also at the meeting, the board discussed restructuring the school system's involvement in the annual Proud To Be an American Celebration.

Held each November since 2003 by American Pride Through Education Inc., the event initially was organized by volunteers. As the years passed, school officials took over organizing the celebration, which features musical performances by students.

Recently, First Baptist Church of Augusta, the venue for the event, sent a letter to the school system complaining that some of those attending parked on the church's lawn instead of designated parking spots.

School officials are now reconsidering their involvement.

Trustee Mike Sleeper and Superintendent Charles Nagle didn't like that Title I Director Lisa Soloff and her staff spend at least two weeks of each year organizing the event, taking time away from their instructional duties.

Board member Wayne Bridges suggested the burden of organizing the event be put "on the shoulders of the volunteer group."

During the meeting, the board rounded out the administrative staff for the new Grovetown High School.

Science teacher Craig Baker and counselor Sean Petro, both of Harlem High School, will be assistant principals under Grovetown High Principal Penny Jackson.

Hundreds of Harlem High students were rezoned last year for Grovetown High, a point Baker and Petro referenced.

"With so many of the students going from Harlem to Grovetown, I'm looking forward to serving that community," Baker told board members.

"I just hope I'll be able to assist the students and Mrs. Jackson," Petro added.

In other news, the board approved transferring Evans Elementary Principal Scott Weinand to Grovetown Elementary to replace retiring principal Bob Boyd. No decision was made on who will replace Weinand.