By PETE KLEIN

Express News Staff

INDIAN LAKE - Over 20 parents and some students came to the Indian Lake Central School Board of Education meeting last week to demand changes in the rules determining eligibility for the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll.

A new policy instituted by Principal David Snide and approved by Superintendent Mark Brand adds an attendance component, preventing students from making the High Honor Roll if they are absent three or more days during a marking period and from making the Honor Roll if they are absent five or more days, even if their grade point average meets the requirements.

In the past determination was based solely upon grade point averages: 87.5-92.4 percent for the Honor Roll and 92.5 percent and above for the High Honor Roll.

Once the public comment period was opened the school board, Snide and Brand - but especially Snide - came under attack. Comments came fast and furious, with the following but a small sampling.

“We were told it’s just an award and has no meaning;” “We’re not taking it. Our kids work too darn hard and if they make the grade, they should be on the honor roll;” “Making the Honor Roll helps to motivate the kids to get good grades;” “Our kids feel only kids with good grades are being penalized for being out sick. Those that don’t get good grades aren’t being punished.”

PART OF LEARNING

Snide and Brand failed to convince the crowd that attendance is a crucial component of learning. The real world does not reward employees for days missed from work and the kids need to learn this now, they said.

After almost and hour and a half of parents complaining, with no backing down by either parents or administration, BOE Member Michelle Hutchins said, “We need to listen to these people,” and the board soon agreed to form a committee composed of parents, board members and the school administration to look for a solution.

Prospects for a solution other than removing the attendance requirement seemed bleak as parents left the meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Certified Public Accountant Lawrence J. Ringer, Glens Falls, gave the school high marks in his recent audit. He said, “The are no noncompliance issues. The books are in good shape. There were only some cases where ‘Is’ needed to be dotted and ‘Ts’ needed to be crossed, such as keeping track of what computer is in use in which room.”

• The board approved reimbursing faculty and staff for flu shots.

• Elizabeth Gundel was appointed as school nurse and Juanita Matthews as a cleaner.

The ILCS BOE is scheduled to next meet Tuesday, Oct. 18, starting at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.