6A | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS
SCHOOL from page 1A
“When we look at our mis-
sion statement about what
we do, and doing what’s best
for kids, I would maintain
that standardized testing is
not best for kids,” Holman
said.
She referred to the Smart-
er Balanced Assessment
Consortium tests (SBAC),
which test students for
Common Core standards in
grades three to eight and 11
in math and language arts.
School districts must reach
95 percent participation and
can be penalized by their
state if they do not reach this
level.
The tests are held via
computer and require both
time to take the test and to
learn how to take the test —
for both students and staff
members.
As of press time, the fed-
eral government is still
planning to hold standard-
ized testing this school year,
despite many schools still
operating in comprehensive
distance learning, hybrid
and limited in-person in-
struction. However, Oregon
Department of Education
has been in touch with the
US Department of Educa-
tion about getting a waiver
for the state to not hold the
tests.
According to O’Mara,
several states have already
received similar waivers. At
this point, it appears the fed-
eral government is deciding
on a state-by-state basis. In
addition, several other stu-
dent assessments have been
put on hold, including kin-
dergarten and essential skills
for seniors, until the next
school year.
After hearing this, Hol-
man said, “That’s hopeful.
I’m grateful that there’s some
prevailing wisdom around
this year in particular. I don’t
think it precludes us from be-
ing a proactive school board,
because they’re talking about
a short-term thing.”
Instead, she proposed that that need, especially as some encourage more districts to to do the same kind of thing.” ted. The first concerned the
Mapleton School District across the U.S. are suggest- make similar resolutions.
The second big topic at the state of some of the areas on
take a firm stance on re- ing the further removal of
“The more of us who get meeting was setting board school district property.
moving standardized testing standardized testing for col- feisty about testing — and goals.
Burruss said, “In my
— or at least encouraging leges and universities.
wasting taxpayer money and
After minimal discussion, mind, this is not a policy is-
school district families to opt
The board also consulted student and staff members’ and deciding to reevaluate sue and taken care of in day-
out on their own.
with Ricks as the student time — it’s going to change. goals next September, the to-day business. My feeling
The text of the resolution representative from Maple- I do believe (standardized board decided to adopt the would be that this complaint
reads: “We, the Mapleton ton High School.
testing) is a dinosaur just following as goals:
would be best addressed by
Board of Education, given
“I feel like a lot of people waiting to die. But it’s going
• In the ever-changing referring it to the mainte-
our responsibility to
COVID-19 environ- nance lists.”
safeguard and guide
ment, the district
Holman agreed, saying
“We, the Mapleton Board of Education, given our responsi- will continue to pro- that the board would pass
the education of Ma-
bility to safeguard and guide the education of Mapleton stu-
pleton students, find
vide new compre- on the recommendations to
dents, find that the administering of the SBAC at this time of hensive systems and the maintenance supervisor.
that the administer-
ing of the SBAC at
support services to
“It’s also well known that
pandemic to be inappropriate and harmful to students, their
this time of pandem-
facilitate
student
and
we
prioritize projects based
families and to the school community.”
ic to be inappropriate
staff success, both on need and finances, and
— Resolution passed by Mapleton School District
and harmful to stu-
academically
and we have a wish list that’s as
Board of Directors on March 17
dents, their families
personally.
long as the school district
and to the school
• Continue to boundaries that we just don’t
community.”
rely on standardized testing to take some of us throwing support engagement with get to address,” she said.
The resolution continued, for answers on how students the first dagger in Oregon,” district community in the
The second complaint
“It is therefore the board’s are doing when it’s not really Holman said.
COVID-19 virtual envi- was filed against O’Mara
recommendation that Ma- the best option,” Ricks said.
All board members pres- ronment (staff, students, and Mapleton High School
pleton parents and guardians “It tries to make a ‘one size ent were involved in the con- parents) to elicit feedback Principal Brenda Moyer,
strongly consider exercising fits all’ for students when versation, with Board Chair that will help focus district alleging that constitutional
their right, under House Bill that’s not something that re- Mary Ellen Mansfield saying direction.
rights were denied. How-
2655, to opt out their student ally works for every kid.”
she thought the wording of
• Support district staff ef- ever, the complaint did not
from the Smarter Balanced
He said that he has under- the resolution was “a little forts to continually improve provide many additional
test.”
gone standardized testing for strong,” especially if the first classroom instruction and details.
It also indicated that the school as well as taken the purpose of the resolution student success in all modes
The board requested fur-
tests create unnecessary SAT to prepare for college was to encourage families to of learning, remote or in ther information.
stress; data would not be admissions.
opt out on their own.
person.
“If there actually is a vi-
comparable to past years;
“Talking about the SAT,
O’Mara stated, “We al-
• Continue to consider olation, then we do want
the district could not con- I’ve taken it twice, and it’s ready do notify parents of appropriate school mode to know about it,” Mans-
trol conditions for all partic- not something that’s all that the opportunity to opt out. based on county and state field said. “We’re certainly
ipants; and that it would be easy to prepare for in gen- We have to.”
health metrics and local dis- not dismissing you, but we
difficult to reach the neces- eral, even with other stan-
The board ultimately de- trict needs.
can’t act on the complaint as
sary participation rate.
dardized tests,” he said. “It’s cided to refine the wording
The board also decid- written, because there’s not
Holman decided to pres- just something that’s nerve of the resolution and reduce ed to evaluate O’Mara as enough information.”
ent the resolution after wracking and stressful no the number of bullet points. Mapleton’s superintendent
The board decided to set
meeting in a small group matter what you do. I feel Then, Burruss moved that since the district missed last the issue aside until more
made up of board members like that’s something that the board approve the year due to the start of the information becomes avail-
from other districts as well shouldn’t be enforced on amended resolution, which COVID-19 pandemic. The able.
as people involved in state kids to set them up for things was seconded by Director timeline for this has yet to
For more information, or
legislation concerning stan- later on in life.”
Andrea Milbrett and ap- be announced.
for a link to watch Maple-
dardized testing.
In their discussion, the proved by those in atten-
The final big topic dis- ton School Board meetings
“This is for this year, and board considered the costs dance.
cussed by the board was re- via YouTube, visit www.
we may still get a waiver,” associated with the testing,
“This is a first step. Elim- garding complaints submit- mapleton.k12.or.us.
Holman said. “But this just including federal money and inating high-stakes testing
shows that the board is on it the chance to lose funding. remains the goal,” Holman
FROM
BEST OF HAWAII
and sees this as an issue and Directors also considered wrote in an email announc-
$
2,599
FOUR-ISLAND
as protecting our kids.”
waiting until other school ing the resolution. At the
$
2,349 *
TOUR
The Mapleton School boards acted.
meeting, she said, “For me, it
12 days, departs
Board then further discussed
“This is how change hap- is bigger than us. And while
the issue. One person asked pens,” Holman argued. I’m a steward of this district
year-round
if removing the test would “One little district gets brave in its entirety, I view my ad-
make students less prepared enough to put something vocacy for kids as broader
for taking the SAT or ACT.
like this out there and other than Mapleton. … To me,
promo code N7017
* Free date changes anytime up to 45 days prior to departure for land tours, up to 95 days prior to departure for cruise tours.
Holman said that the test- districts see it.”
this is giving permission,
Deposits and final payments remain non-refundable. Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus $299 in taxes &
ing already involved with
She said that one district and hopefully some kind of
fees. Single supplement and seasonal surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Offers apply to new bookings only, made
by 6/30/21. Other terms & conditions may apply. Ask your Travel Consultant for details.
curriculum should fulfill being courageous would backbone, to other districts
TM
Getting rid o f 'Huh?'
for over 20 ye
ears
1-888-817-0676
is the permanent,
clog-free gutter solution!*
*G
Now offering
ff
hearing aid leassing
541.991.44
475
16
YEARS BACKED
BY THE SEAL
Receive a free accessory with
ith a new l lease.
Expires 3/16/21.

Florence
1901 Hwy 101, Ste A
**
HOME IMPROVEMENT DAYS!
We’ll give you $500 for your old
gutters! We’ll even take them down
& haul them away with purchase of
a complete LeafGuard system!
Scott C. Anderson, Au.D. • Steven G. Anderson, Au.D.
HearingAssociatesofFlorence.com
Prepare for
power outages
with a Generac
home standby
generator
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
844-630-1554
FREE
7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
Off er valid February 15 - June 6, 2021
Special Financing Available
Subject to Credit Approval
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the
generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE!
• THE ONLY ONE-PIECE SEAMLESS
DEBRIS SHEDDING GUTTER SYSTEM
• MADE ONSITE SPECIFICALLY FOR
YOUR HOME
• SCRATCHGUARD® PAINT FINISH
• LIFETIME NO-CLOG WARRANTY
"MMQBSUJDJQBOUTXIPBUUFOEBOFTUJNBUFENJOVUFJOIPNFQSPEVDUDPOTVMUBUJPOXJMMSFDFJWFB 7JTBHJGUDBSE3FUBJMWBMVFJT
0GGFSTQPOTPSFECZ-FBG(VBSE)PMEJOHT*OD-JNJUPOFQFSIPVTFIPME$PNQBOZQSPDVSFT TFMMT BOEJOTUBMMTTFBNMFTTHVUUFSQSPUFDUJPO5IJT
PGGFS JT WBMJE GPS IPNFPXOFST PWFS ZFBST PG BHF *G NBSSJFE PS JOWPMWFE XJUI B MJGF QBSUOFS CPUI DPIBCJUBUJOH QFSTPOT NVTU BUUFOE
BOE DPNQMFUFQSFTFOUBUJPOUPHFUIFS1BSUJDJQBOUTNVTUIBWFB QIPUP*% CFBCMFUPVOEFSTUBOE&OHMJTI BOECFMFHBMMZBCMFUPFOUFSJOUP
B DPOUSBDU5IFGPMMPXJOHQFSTPOTBSFOPUFMJHJCMFGPSUIJTPGGFSFNQMPZFFTPG$PNQBOZPS BGGJMJBUFEDPNQBOJFTPSFOUJUJFT UIFJSJNNFEJBUF
GBNJMZ NFNCFST QSFWJPVT QBSUJDJQBOUT JO B $PNQBOZ JOIPNF DPOTVMUBUJPO XJUIJO UIF QBTU NPOUIT BOE BMM DVSSFOU BOE GPSNFS
$PNQBOZDVTUPNFST(JGUNBZOPUCFFYUFOEFE USBOTGFSSFE PSTVCTUJUVUFEFYDFQUUIBU$PNQBOZNBZ TVCTUJUVUFB HJGUPGFRVBMPSHSFBUFS
WBMVFJGJUEFFNTJUOFDFTTBSZ(JGUDBSEXJMMCFNBJMFEUPUIFQBSUJDJQBOUWJB GJSTU DMBTT 6OJUFE 4UBUFT .BJM XJUIJO EBZT PG SFDFJQU PG UIF
QSPNPUJPO GPSN/PU WBMJE JO DPOKVODUJPO XJUI BOZPUIFS QSPNPUJPO PS EJTDPVOU PG BOZLJOE0GGFS OPUTQPOTPSFECZ7JTBBOEJTTVCKFDU
UPDIBOHFXJUIPVUOPUJDFQSJPSUPSFTFSWBUJPO&YQJSFT/FXPSEFSTPOMZ0GGFSTQPOTPSFECZ-FBG(VBSE)PMEJOHT *OD-JNJUPOF
QFSIPVTFIPME$PNQBOZQSPDVSFT TFMMT BOEJOTUBMMTTFBNMFTTHVUUFSQSPUFDUJPO5IJTPGGFSJTWBMJEGPSIPNFPXOFSTPWFSZFBSTPGBHF5IF
GPMMPXJOHQFSTPOTBSFOPUFMJHJCMFGPSUIJTPGGFSFNQMPZFFTPG$PNQBOZPSBGGJMJBUFEDPNQBOJFTPSFOUJUJFT UIFJSJNNFEJBUFGBNJMZNFNCFST
BOEBMMDVSSFOUBOEGPSNFS-FBG(VBSEDVTUPNFST%JTDPVOUNBZOPUCFFYUFOEFE USBOTGFSSFE PSTVCTUJUVUFEFYDFQUUIBU$PNQBOZNBZ
TVCTUJUVUF BO JUFN PG FRVBM PS HSFBUFS WBMVF JG JU EFFNT JU OFDFTTBSZ %JTDPVOU XJMM CF SFDFJWFE BGUFS DPNQMFUJPO PG UIF JOTUBMMBUJPO BOE
QBZNFOUJOGVMM/PUWBMJEJODPOKVODUJPOXJUIBOZPUIFSQSPNPUJPOPSEJTDPVOUPGBOZLJOE0GGFSJTTVCKFDUUPDIBOHFXJUIPVUOPUJDFQSJPSUP
SFTFSWBUJPO&YQJSFT-FBG(VBSEPQFSBUFTBT-FBG(VBSEPG0SFHPOJO0SFHPOVOEFSMJDFOTFOVNCFS