USD 408 board discusses possible transition to middle school
Staff writer
Marion Middle School teacher Chad Adkins said something needs to be done.
Marion-Florence USD 408 school board member and parent Janet Helmer agreed.
The two, and others, believe the transition from sixth to seventh grade is a tough one.
The board, with teachers and others in attendance, discussed the possibility Monday of moving the sixth graders to the middle school building.
They would not participate in sports, but they would be around the school and use the year for a smooth transition Adkins said.
“We have to do something,” he said. “They are absolutely overwhelmed. They have a lot thrown at them at one time.”
Helmer agreed, but board member Keith Collett said it was tried before but did not work.
Board member Lyle Leppke is worried about interaction with high school students, but Adkins and other middle school teachers said it would be minimal.
MMS teacher Bill Darrow was at the meeting.
“We’ve all bought into (moving the sixth graders),” he said.
Board member Kathy Meierhoff was not against the move, but commented Marion Elementary School Principal Rod Garman has done a good job of getting the sixth graders ready.
He moved classrooms to where sixth graders are away from younger students and able to focus on their days’ work.
It was reported at the meeting assessment scores and grades are down and it could be because the seventh graders are expected to do much more than when they were at the elementary school as far as activities and commitments are concerned.
“We’re not getting our hands wrapped around the problem,” MMS principal Tod Gordon said.
Adkins agreed, and said if moving the sixth graders to the middle school is not the best option, he is OK with that. However, he wants to find out what is the best option.
“If we don’t do this we have to do something,” he said.
Leiker said there will be more discussion at the next meeting, and he would like to hear input from parents regarding the issue.