Malta Bend school board agrees with student's solution to valedictorian selection dilemma

The Malta Bend Board of Education met Thursday, May 8, listened to proposals from Tiffany Edwards and Lisa Nevels about how to solve a dilemma in naming the school's valedictorian and accepted the resignation of two instructors.

Edwards proposed a solution to the controversial valediction issue, which the board has discussed in the last several meetings.

Edwards, a junior by age, is graduating this spring with a higher GPA than anyone in the class above her. Her early graduation has sparked a fierce debate over whether she should be eligible for the honor of valedictorian.

Edwards expressed her desire to be named valedictorian, but also made it clear that all parties involved should receive fair treatment.

"I would like to propose that we have two valedictorians and one salutatorian," said Edwards. "Honestly, I hadn't considered that I would knock other students out of their positions."

"We thought that in order to have two valedictorians they had to have the same GPA," said board president Art Madden, explaining why this solution had not been considered earlier. "Well, that's not necessarily the case."

The board voted to accept Edwards' proposal, making her and Brenda Kirby co-valedictorians.

A policy stating that valedictorians must attend Malta Bend High School for eight semesters was also removed.

Such a rule would have prevented Edwards from claiming the award.

Edwards went on to present the board with an itinerary for the senior trip to Branson.

The board approved the schedule, after amending it to ensure participating seniors would be home in time for the Malta Bend awards night.

Lisa Nevels asked the board to consider allowing only juniors and seniors to be teacher or office aides. Malta Bend currently offers aide positions (class credit) for all high school students.

"I think it gets in the way of their education," said Nevels. "Some schools don't even offer credit for aides."

Nevels also suggested keyboarding should be a requirement for graduation.

Later in the meeting, two letters of resignation were accepted.

Haley Fowler, preschool assistant, said she would be unable to fill her position with the district because of an opportunity to return to college.

"I really appreciate the great experience that I have had at Malta Bend R-V, and look forward to possibly returning in the future," said Fowler, via letter to the school board.

Agriculture instructor Kristen Fenner will be accepting a job with the Sweet Springs school district.

"After five years of being happily employed in the Malta Bend R-V School District as the agriculture instructor, it has come time for me to move on to another and not return my contract signed for the 2008-09 school year," Fenner said in her letter.

"Thank you for the opportunities you have provided me during my time with the district.

"I will miss the students so much because they have become such a huge part of my family! I look forward to seeing the success that will come next year through the new instructor and the students still here to represent the Malta Bend FFA Chapter!"

Principal Roger Feagan's proposal to enforce more drastic consequences for bullying, defiance of authority, disrespect, and tobacco usage was accepted by the board.

The next meeting of the Malta Bend Board of Education will be Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m.

Contact Travis Watts at marshallreporter@socket.net