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You are Viewing an Archived Issue

Posted: 10/24/12

RCS board maintains
advanced programs

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      The Romeo Community Schools Board of Education decided to keep the status quo on two advanced education programs.
       The vote to increase Early College seats from four to 10 failed with a 3-2 vote, with Vice-president Sara Murray and Treasurer Ed Sosnoski dissenting.
       The board voted 5-0 for maintaining seven seats for students in the International Academy of Macomb (IAM) program.
       Trustee Terry Davis and Secretary Joe Fortuna were not present at the Oct. 15 meeting.
       The motion to approve of the Early College increase failed since a majority of the board didn't vote in favor of it. Since the board is made up of seven members, at least four of them must vote in favor to pass a motion.
       Early College is a five-year program that allows students to graduate with both a diploma and an associate's degree from Macomb Community College.
       According to the resolution, the 10 seats would cost the district $49,000 for 2013-14 and beyond. It costs $4,900 per student.
       Murray said she saw the merits of the program, but didn't believe the current financial situation allowed for the district to increase the number of seats.
       "I guess I'm just concerned because the students aren't taking advantage of what we have," she said, referring to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
       Sosnoski agreed, saying it is a good program but the money would be better spent within the school as opposed to a college.
       "The governor took all that money away from the public school system and in turn gave it to the colleges," he said.
       Trustee Gus Demas argued for it, saying the program is a guaranteed degree whereas many students struggle to have credits transfer from AP courses.
       "I think it's imperative that we leverage financial concerns with student opportunity and student success," he said.
       The failed motion means the district's available seats will remain at four.
       IAM offers students the chance to enroll in International Bacclaureate World School curriculum. The seven seats cost the district $51,632 per grade per year, or $206,528 for a total of 28 students. The program is already factored into the district's budget.