Board reviews possible course changes for 8th- and 9th-graders

A handful of new changes may be coming to Albert Lea High School for the 2015-16 school year.

Principal Mark Grossklaus and Vice Principal Jeff Halverson presented these changes to the school board during its meeting Monday.

The first proposal would introduce two new tracks for eighth- and ninth-graders.

Using Northfield High School as an example, Grossklaus explained that Northfield was having problems with ninth-graders: they were failing, being cited for disciplinary problems and not at a grade-appropriate reading level.

Grossklaus said Northfield implemented a track called an academy for struggling students and saw change. In the 2008-09 school year, almost 28 percent of Northfield ninth-graders didn’t earn credit. In 2013-14, after implementing the academy, the number was down to 6 percent.

Students who went through the academy track also saw success later in high school, Grossklaus said.

Grossklaus and Halverson said the high school is interested in introducing an academy track for both eighth- and ninth-graders. Students would be eligible for the academy track based on test scores, grades and teacher recommendation.

The academy track would have three required core classes — English, science and social studies — and a seminar class. The seminar class is where students learn executive skills, Halverson said, such as decision-making, how to be a student and time management.

In addition to an academy track, Grossklaus proposed an advanced track as well. Students would be eligible for the advanced track the same way as the academy track: grades, test scores and teacher recommendation.

Grossklaus said the standards aren’t being watered down for either the academy or advanced track. The same concepts will be covered, he said, but the depth would be different.

The academy track would be limited to about 75 students, Grossklaus said, to keep class sizes small.

Grossklaus also proposed adding an advanced track for 10th-grade students as well.

Other changes include adding French classes and adding AP microeconomics, AP macroeconomics and AP psychology courses.

Grossklaus said the teachers were sent to AP training and are ready to teach those classes, and there is a French teacher on staff. However, Grossklaus said a second teacher may need to be hired.

The student school board members — Gabe Minear and Quinn Peterson — said they liked the additions but wished there could be more college-level science courses.

Chairman Mark Ciota said the plan is well thought out and benefits all students.

Board member Jill Marin raised a concern about resources. Grossklaus said no expansion will be needed but some rearrangement will be necessary.

Grossklaus and Halverson also proposed a J-term to the board.

A J-term is usually two or three weeks in January where students have no formal classes but can take intensive courses that focus on one subject. A J-term is usually something done by colleges or non-traditional schools, Grossklaus said.

The planning takes up to a year, but Grossklaus said special consideration needs to be made that the same courses aren’t offered year after year. Outside instructors would be needed to supplement staff.

The board will revisit all of these changes at the next school board meeting.

In other news, the school board:

• Looked at a tax abatement plan for a new apartment complex. Superintendent Mike Funk presented the plan, where the apartment complex developers are asking for tax abatement from the city, county and school district. The plan has the abatement at 85 percent for 10 years for all three entities, though Funk said the school district can make the percentage and time span higher or lower if it wishes. The tax abatement plan will be revisited by the board at the next school board meeting.

• Created a task force to look at developing social media guidelines for student athletes. Ciota made Minear and Peterson the chairpeople of the task force, and suggested they include Activities Director Afton Wacholz, Grossklaus, other students and community members. Marin suggested the community members should also be parents. Ciota said the task force should have something to present to the board by May.