Special Meeting on Middle and High School Restructuring Tonight

The Board of Education will hold a public forum on middle school and high school restructuring proposals tonight, February 8, 2012, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Columbia High School Auditorium. No action will be taken at this session.

At the December 2011 and January 2012 Board of Education meetings, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Osborne presented proposals for changes to and for — namely, the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as well as additional de-leveling.

The district has hosted a series of activities and events to inform the public about the proposed changes and for residents to share viewpoints as the Board deliberates over the future of secondary education in the district. Tonight the Board of Education will answer pre-submitted questions about the restructuring proposals as well as entertain some comments from the audience.

A similar with Barbara Heisler, a community volunteer and a former director of the , as moderator.

A crowd of about 200 gathered to hear prepared answers to the 11 questions that had been culled from submissions made online by interested residents. The questions ranged from "Why ?" to queries about funding, curriculum, and professional development. Parents wanted to know if the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme could be incorporated faster and/or expanded to the high school. Other questions focused on particulars such as the impact of pulling 6th graders out of arts instruction for interventions. Still other questions were related to rigor.

In addition, from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. tonight, the Board of Education will discuss recently passed state legislation granting districts the discretion to move Board of Education elections from April to November. [The Maplewood Township Committee recommended the move at its Feb. 7 meeting. Story to come.]  Action may be taken on this item.