At the November 3rd School Board Meeting, Clay Everett, student representative, presented a brief update on events and activities in public schools as well as some issues students are having in regards to testing and school lunches.
He informed attendees that the public is invited to a Veteran’s Day Celebration on November 10th at Westside Elementary. Also, Central High School is having a big drama performance in mid November. Mr. Everett mentioned a drastic reduction in number of disciplines at Powell Middle School over the past few weeks as well as the addition of a new school resource officer at the school. Winding Waters K-8 recently held a book-a-palooza in which over 400 people participated. In sports, Weeki Wachee High School Girls Volleyball advanced to the elite eight and Hernando High’s Cross Country team placed 3rd in regionals to qualify for states.
Mr. Everett presented the student complaints in a good humored manner. He stated, “These complaints come straight from the students that attend the schools in our county. With curriculum, students have said that they and their peers believe that they are tested too constantly on information that they have not had enough time to grasp. I know the school board is working hard towards trying to aid students and parents.” He also recognized that it is not an easy problem to solve. “But I do believe that it is good for the school board to hear this straight from the students,” he stated.
Dr. Romano told Mr. Everett that he can inform students that the school board has sent a resolution to the State of Florida in support of reduced testing in schools.
“On the school lunches subject, there has been unanimous displeasure throughout the county,” Mr. Everett explained. He also pointed out that a number of students choose not to eat lunch at all rather than eating the school lunch. “There is no use in spending money on something that is not appetizing,” Everett said. Again, Mr. Everett expressed understanding that improving the lunches is easier said than done.
You can catch Clay Everett’s informative updates at the beginning of each school board meeting, or just read about it in the Hernando Sun.