CPSD School Board Policy Debated; Member Calls For End of Geometry

Protocol was the most prevalent theme of the night at Monday’s Clover Park School Board meeting.

Director Paul Wagemann’s request for modifications to the agenda and proposed policy sparked lively debate among the board.

First, Wagemann asked that an item in the consent agenda regarding a contractual agreement between CPSD and the Federal Way School District for online classes be reclassified as an individual action item so the board could discuss it.

Since authorization of the partnership was already on the consent agenda, it technically could not be moved, but Wagemann, citing “Roberts Rules of Order,” said it was unfair that directors could not ask for something to be pulled back for further discussion. The board agreed to move the item.

For the last three years, CPSD students have taken classes through FWSD’s online program, primarily ninth- and 10th-graders at Lakewood Career Academy. While there are other options for credit retrieval, including summer school, this partnership has been worthwhile, said Superintendent Debbie LeBeau.

“We have utilized the online programs they developed based on state standards,” she said, “and we have had great success.”

Wagemann challenged the feasibility of FWSD’s program being the sole option for CPSD students.

“There are savings in the long run in online learning,” he said. “It’s an area that we as a district need to think about to save resources and help our students learn better.”

But LeBeau emphasized that while CPSD has a $75,000 contract with FWSD, it is not the only online learning program available to CPSD students.

Board President Carole Jacobs said the partnership is beneficial in multiple ways.

“This opens doors to explore opportunities out there for us, and give us control over the programs coming into the district,” she said.

Later, Wagemann sought revisions to several sections of the school board policy up for adoption. Only one item was moved to a vote, and unanimously approved. The policy itself was also accepted.

Board Vice President Marty Schafer said he wanted it to be clear that the board had done its “due diligence” in discussing and revising the policy in advance.

The board agreed to strike the word “free” from its description of the instructional materials the district provides to students, such as textbooks and supplies, lest students mistakenly believe the materials were being given to them permanently, free of cost.

The section regarding high-school graduation requirements caused the most contention, specifically the math requirements for the Class of 2013 and beyond. Students will be required to take Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Wagemann said he feels Geometry is irrelevant to most students, and that he would like to see it replaced with statistics or a finance class.

“Why teach something to somebody that they may never use?” he asked. “We’re wasting resources, time and students’ time. People get bored and they drop out.”

But Jacobs said she is unwilling to allow CPSD’s requirements to diminish. She said parents complained for months when Algebra I became a requirement, but that it was necessary to mandate it so students would have a greater chance at pursuing post-secondary education.

“I personally cannot lower standards,” she said.

Also Monday, the board accepted a $2.484 million Department of Defense Education Activity Grant to provide academic support at 13 military impacted schools. The three-year grant is closely aligned with current district initiatives to improve student achievement in math and science.  

The beneficiaries of the grant are Harrison Preparatory School and Beachwood, Carter Lake, Custer, Dower, Evergreen, Greenwood, Hillside, Idewild, Lake Louise, Oakbrook and Park Lodge Elementary Schools.