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MENTONE -ÊTippecanoe Valley School Board tabled a decision on a student ranking system that honors students working through the high school's most rigorous course load.
Discussion ensued last month, and the board asked for more ranking system options.
School board president Mark Wise opposed the system that gives honor students a higher ranking. He said students not in those honors courses have no chance to rise above a certain place, below honor students, in class standing.
The ranking would split earnable diplomas into a Core-40 Diploma and an Academic Honors Diploma.
Tippecanoe Valley High School principal Charlie Mills brought the issue to the board, saying the faculty, many students and parents believe the current system is not fair and discourages students from honors courses to retain a higher grade point average, and thus a higher ranking.
"I think we need to challenge our students," said board member Tom Weaver, supporting the ranking system.
Wise argued the plan was flawed and, although fair to some, thumped the others not taking the honors courses.
TVHS senior and student government liaison, Gale Rathbun, a honor student, supported the ranking system.
"It encourages students to achieve higher goals," she said to Wise.
Rathbun suggested a public forum about the topic. The school board will listen to view points on the ranking system at their next board meeting.
In other business, the school board:
• Recognized a year-old program, Peers Educating Peers, which promotes sexual abstinence. Rathbun founded the program at TVHS saying she learned about Peer Educating Peers at Rochester High School.
• Decided unanimously to keep the same cent-per-mile rate at $.32. Superintendent Karen Boling proposed raising the rate to the Internal Revenue Service rate of $.36.5 per mile.
• Discussed proposed high school's foreign exchange program rules.
• Heard a presentation from Tamara Ummel, director of special services of the North Central Indiana Special Education Cooperative. Tippecanoe Valley schools educates 310 students with disabilities, ages three to 21, according to Ummel.
Tippecanoe Valley school board's next meeting is March 11 at Mentone Elementary School.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are: president Mark Wise, vice president Rod Eaton, secretary Tom Weaver, David O'Brien and Hal Hoffman. Superintendent is Dr. Karen S. Boling.
