Parents, Educators Speak Out Over MYP/IB End At Feb. Board Meeting

February 14, 2017

The School Board announced in January that starting with the current sixth grade class, the MYP/IB program in Prince George would be phased out. Upon hearing the Board’s decision, parents and teachers felt that their chance to speak out against such a decision was denied.

Ms. Sharon Jadrnak addresses the School Board about the cancellation of the MYP/IB program at the Feb. Board meeting. — Sharon Jadrnak addresses the School Board about the cancellation of the MYP/IB program at the Feb. Board meeting. Photo by Kattie Iwanski.

During the February board meeting on Mon., Feb. 13th five people came forward during the public comments time. Following the vocalization of opinions, the Board made the announcement that they will place on the February 28th agenda 45 minutes for discussion on the MYP/IB program.

606A9777 — Board member Reeve Ashcraft listens during the public comment portion of the Feb. Board meeting. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh.

Those who spoke during the public comments time of the Feb. 13th meeting included five people who were close to the program.

Former MYP/IB Director Shelia Roalf suggested to keep the program in place for a year before finally making the decision. “Leave it in place for next year, find something to replace it,” Roalf said.

Prince George parent Shelia Minor favored reconsidering the closing. Minor brought up points of what the program provides for the young students. Key factors in her argument to keep it going were the fact that it challenged students and brought out creativity and collaboration among them.

Minor also included that since the MYP/IB program has been introduced to the students during the winter introductory meetings where Moore teachers talk to students about it, she feels it’s wrong to take it away now. “You have pulled the rug out from under a 10 year old,” Minor said.

606A9762 — Shelia Minor speaks out about the cancellation of MYP/IB. Photo by Kattie Iwanski.

Without MYP/IB students might be denied the opportunity to take advanced classes early such as Spanish I in 6th grade. There are many questions about what would now happen to this opportunity and Minor posed the question who would determine who would be able to take Spanish I.

Minor also questioned what would happen to the community service that the IB students are encouraged to do through their projects.

Although the Board members usually do not respond to public comments, most members thanked the speakers for speaking passionately about the program. The matter appears to be now tabled until the discussion on Feb. 28th.

Here is the link to the previous story: https://trnwired.org/2017/01/board-unanimously-votes-to-discontinue-mypinternational-baccalaureate-program/