Locklear

Blount

Duckworth

Starting next school year, all teachers within the Clinton City School District will use a new grading system for students.

The Board of Education recently approved implementation of a 10-point grading scale for all schools. Dr. Mark Duckworth, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, presented the recommendation during a recent meeting.

Previously, the state Board of Education voted to implement a 10-point scale for grades in the 2015-16 school year. Currently, North Carolina uses a seven-point scale. Under this system, 100 to 93 will result in a A for students, while a B is 92 to 85. A failing grade is anything below 70. The upcoming 10-point scale means 100 to 90 will be an A grade.

“The administration recommends the approval of a 10-point scale for all grades that will be in alignment with current legislation that requires the 10-point grading scale being implemented for the upcoming freshman class of 2015-2016,” Duckworth said.

State officials recommended that districts consider including grades 3 through 8 to make it consistent throughout their school systems. It was also noted by many education professionals that the change benefits students by aligning it with how colleges distribute grades. Many nearby states are already using a 10-point scale to pass or fail its students.

SMS to receive

new fire alarm system

A safety component at Sampson Middle School will receive a much needed upgrade in coming months.

Clyde Locklear, director of finance for Clinton City Schools, presented a $75,000 bid from Bryant’s Electrical Service to install a new fire alarm system, which was approved by the Board of Education.The plan was presented during an April work session, which took place before the board’s May meeting.

“The 35 year-old facility has a fire alarm system, but it was put in at that time,” Locklear stressed during the work session. “In some cases, it’s difficult to hear the system when it does activate an alarm.”

Locklear said it’s a part of the school district’s long-range facility plan to improve the system. The work is scheduled to begin in the summer, when the building is not occupied by students.

During the April meeting, Locklear said the service group based out of Whitakers is licensed and certified to install the system. Previously, some of the work for the system was completed during the winter break. Upcoming work will include installing devices in classrooms.

NC Public Schools

celebrate 175 years

The Clinton City Board of Education approved a resolution to celebrate the establishment of public education in North Carolina during its meeting last week.

Superintendent Dr. Stuart Blount presented the resolution that “without hesitation, the Clinton City Board of Education affirms their belief that North Carolina public schools are every child’s chance and every community’s future and pledge their continued advocacy in word and deed for this sacred institution.”

The resolution included history about public schools in the state, which dates back to Jan. 8, 1839 when the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Common Law. Williamsburg Elementary School in Rockingham County opened as the state’s first public school on Jan. 20, 1840.

It also mentioned that the economic stability of the state and local communities rested on the shoulders of public schools.

Currently, more than 2,500 public schools are serving more than 1.5 million students.