CV board OKs committee to discuss overcrowding issues

The Central Valley School Board on Monday unanimously approved the formation of a “facilities options committee” to analyze options to solve the district’s overcrowding problems.

Unless something changes the district will be completely full by the fall of 2008.

The committee will be made up of about 20 people, including parents, a few staff members, three high school students and the balance will be made up of a broad representation of community members. Additional members may be added if the board believes it’s necessary.

“This committee will be invaluable because of the diversity of its members,” said Debra Long, board president.

The committee will be led by Helen Jones, an independent, professional facilitator and mediator. Melanie Rose, CV public information officer, will serve as liaison for the district.

People interested in serving on the committee may fill out an application, available online at www.cvsd.org.

In mid-April community meetings will be conducted to gather community input and ideas. The dates, locations and times will be announced. These meetings will also be led by the facilitator.

The committee will consider these ideas; research facility options and identify pros and cons of those option including resources needed.

The options committee will also consider the impact on student learning and student housing and the impact on families.

These options could include multitrack year-round school, double-shifting, use of portable classrooms, leased space, running another construction bond and any other options the community suggests.

“When the community says did you look at eveything, we can say yes,” said board member Lynn Trantow.

The committee’s findings will be presented to the Board of Directors by October.

In other board news, Central Valley High School students will have the option of taking pre-calculus as an elective next year.

Some parents and students feel the curriculum currently offered is weak and doesn’t prepare students for the rigors of college math. This class offers students interested in math-intensive areas of study an option. There’s no additional expense to the district because the school already has the books and staff for the class.

The pre-calculus class is a pilot program next year. CMCI, the current math curriculum is “wide, but not deep,” said Mike Hittle, principal.

University High School will not be making any changes to its math curriculum.