Stephen Rizzo, then principal of Sherman Elementary School, talks with students during the Celebration of Education in May at Senior High. As the district’s new director of curriculum, he received board approval Tuesday for the purchase of an elementary and middle school math textbooks package.
Adoption of new elementary and middle school math textbooks with a companion online component was approved Tuesday by the Mansfield City Schools Board of Education.
Curriculum Director Stephen Rizzo urged the board action, explaining that no math materials had been adopted across the district since 2000.
“These are current, relevant and much needed materials,” he said.
Rizzo credited the work of a team of teachers and consultant Deb Reedy who reviewed the “blended package” of textbooks, practice workbooks, teacher professional development and a digital subscription that will allow online work. Eventually, he said, students will be able to use their own devices to access the online component.
The six-year Pearson envisionmath materials contract will be for kindergarten through third grade and grades 7 and 8. Malabar Intermediate School purchased new math textbooks and related materials in 2014 with a grant provided by the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund through the Richland County Foundation.
Cost of the Pearson package is $193,726.
Noting that the district has “turned the corner financially,” Rizzo said approval of the expenditure by the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission on Aug. 30 “will allow us to move forward and get these materials for this year.”
Responding to a question by board member Sheryl Weber, Rizzo said the next step will be a review and evaluation of high school curriculum.
In other business the board had a lengthy discussion about how class rankings are determined at the high school after Superintendent Brian Garverick and counselor Pam Jones explained the current policy.
Board member Chris Elswick contended the district is losing students because grades earned through college courses before graduation aren’t factored into grade-point averages.
“We should be able to come up with a formula that would make it fair for those students,” he said.
Board president Renda Cline disagreed, saying not all students are able to utilize the college courses option. However, she said she would be open to studying the issue.
“It is important for everyone to understand how class rankings are determined and what it takes to be the valedictorian or salutatorian,” she said. “I want to see a level playing field so that all ninth-graders have a fair opportunity.”
The board also:
-- Heard Garverick report that the district’s Office of Pupil Services, led by director Jonathan Burras, had a perfect 36 score on the Ohio Department of Education’s recent rating of special education services. Garverick said the district received the maximum of four points in each of nine service areas. Garverick told the board that Mansfield City Schools serves approximately 800 special needs students in the district and 300 out of district.
-- Adopted board goals, which include:
To improve student achievement
To recruit and retain high-quality staff members
To foster a diverse environment
To communicate financial information to all stakeholders
-- Heard Mrs. Weber report that 378 high school and middle school students each received two shirts and two pairs of pants, or any combination of four, during a three-day distribution of campus wear clothing. The clothes were purchased with a $25,000 grant obtained by Louise Yochheim through the Richland County Youth and Family Council and Richland County Job and Family Services. Mrs. Weber said another shipment of clothing is on order.
-- Approved a $52,000 expenditure from the general fund for a resource office at the high school and middle school. The agreement with the Mansfield Police Department is renewed annually.
-- Approved a resolution to advertise and receive bids for the purchase of two 71-passenger buses and one special-needs bus.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Raemelton administration buiding, 856 W. Cook Road.