Malta Bend school board approves code of conduct

Thursday, July 9, 2009
By ERIC CRUMP/Editor

The Malta Bend Board of Education gave its approval Thursday, July 9, to a Community Teacher Association-generated code of conduct for students participating in extracurricular activities.

The school was already following Missouri State High School Activities Association guidelines, according to Superintendent Melissa Vesser, and the new code is consistent in most ways with MSHSAA rules.

But there are several differences, and in each case the Malta Bend code is stricter than MSHSAA standards.

"Malta Bend should always be proud of the students who represent us," said Theresa Bayne, a school paraprofessional who presented the code to the board on behalf of CTA.

The new code of conduct applies to all extracurricular activity, she said, from sports and cheerleading to debate and drama.

Among the variances from MSHSAA rules:

--Attendance. Students must attend classes the day before, the day of and the day after an activity event. If they miss school during any of those days, they will not be allowed to participate in the next event. After five unexcused absences, a student will be removed from the team or organization.

--Discipline. Any student given in-school or out-of-school suspension will not be allowed to participate in games or practices that day and the day will count as an unexcused absence.

--Grades. A student receiving an F in a progress report will have two weeks to bring the grade up to at least a D. A student receiving a final grade of F will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities the following semester.

Board President Art Madden said he would be in favor of raising standards for participation even higher, especially in terms of grades necessary to participate in extracurricular activities.

"I would like to bump it up to a C or at least a D," he said.

But others on the board expressed reservations about going further than CTA recommended in that regard.

"There are some kids who have to struggle to get that D," said Doreena Forqueran.

Vesser said another concern might be the viability of sports teams and organizations if standards are raised too high.

"We're so small. We won't have teams" if a number of students are made ineligible, she said. "Also, we lose the incentive for those who are trying. We have those kids who are getting Ds because they are lazy, and we have those kids who work their tails off to get Ds."

Vesser said the teaching staff would work to provide additional assistance to students who are struggling in their classes in an effort to help them raise their grades.

Bayne noted that the teaching staff fully supports the new code.

The board ultimately agreed to adopt the code as submitted, with a slight revision necessary to remain consistent with MSHSAA minimum standards.

After adjourning the meeting, the board went into closed session to discuss personnel matters.

In addition to Madden and Forqueran, board members Susan Jansen, Casey Klein, Scott Moore, Jackie Plattner and Mindy Rigby were present.

The next regular board meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 13.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

Related story:
Failure's not an option: Proposal would make MHS students ineligible for activities after failing one course:

www.marshallnews.com/story/1439945.html

Comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on marshallnews.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Again I am amazed STANDARDS TOO HIGH????? said by the leader Supt. Vesser. Amazing an educator not raising the bar???? Malta Bend must have serious problems with a philosophy like this!!!Parents you should be worried for your children and their future educational outcome!

-- Posted by Tito on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 5:50 PM

"Also, we lose the incentive for those who are trying. We have those kids who are getting Ds because they are lazy, and we have those kids who work their tails off to get Ds." This comment is from the Supt.(Vesser) the leader of the school?

I am amazed that she thinks kids work their tails off to get a D. Something must be seriously wrong at this school? Are there weighted classes, dual credit, or a large population of Sped kids?

I am with Madden raise the bar and if the kids want to participate they will bump it up a notch and maintain the grade to PLAY. If not I guess no outside activities! Also it may be wise to get a new LEADER with an attitude like that.....wonder what the state test scores are at a school that thinks D's are OK??????Something to ponder????

-- Posted by Tito on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 5:46 PM

Great. The school board that sees no conflict of interest in the district hiring a board member for a teaching position passes a code of conduct for students. Gotta love it when the adults set such a good example.

-- Posted by commish on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 3:07 PM