School Board Discusses Mentoring Program, Dress Code and Biology Scores

Superintendent of Schools Joylynn Pruitt kicked off Thursday's school board meeting by reminding everyone about next month's back to school rally.

The rally will occur on Saturday, August 6 from 9am to noon at the McNair Administrative Building, located at 8136 Groby Road. The event is open to all school-aged children who reside within University City. Activities include free hair cuts, health screenings, field games and educational activities. Kids will also receive school supplies.

Pruitt also talked about as plans for an upcoming mentoring program called Life Plan. Pruitt said the program, “is discovery learning for young people that will impact their lives in a positive way.”  She added that the mentoring program, “will allow students to confront four main debilitating social epidemics that face students: educational failure, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse as well as gang violence.”  

School board members also went over how budgets in the school district had been spent, what the needs for each student and staffing issue were, and how each issue is being addressed. 

Citizens' comments at the meeting were dominated by concerned residents who wanted to enhance the district’s music program. Diane Davenport expressed her concerns about the budget for the district's music program.

“To build a strong, competitive, fine arts program the district must support change as well as support things that are already excellent…” she said.

Concerns about enforcement of the student dress code policy were also voiced.

Board Director Rick Salamon said that some girls in the district come to school looking as if they are going “night clubbing,” while many of the boys are “sagging” and wearing hats based on gang colors. 

The district also gave updates on plans for assessment tools, the meeting of academic  teams, curriculum instruction, and the potential for data integration for student records. 

Board Secretary Ellen Bern indicated that there needs to be more adult accountability for failing grades and low scores.

“This is really a red flag that we’re putting in all these things…and our kids are doing worse and worse," said Bern. "Our kids are not prepared to do basic biology," she said. 

Bern said she'd like to see some “real radical changes,” in referencing how low the majority of the district’s students scored on basic biology.

Near close of the meeting, the district also discussed its ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESL (English as Second Language) programs led by Director Clay Ware. Board members debated on the necessity of budget for these program since the enrollment numbers had decreased, although there have been significant improvements in outcome of the programs participants. 

“The value of those individuals who need GEDs have children in this district. They [ABE and ESL students] are just as valuable as our K-12 students," he said.