On top of the approval of several construction projects in the district, the February meeting of the Waterloo School Board saw two substantial presentations concerning activity at W.J. Zahnow Elementary and a substantial change to Waterloo High School’s recognition of academic honors.

The WHS presentation took place later in the meeting, with district grades 6-12 curriculum coordinator John Schmieg, WHS Guidance Counselor Robert Lohman and WHS Principal Tim McDermott each addressing the board.

Schmieg was the first to talk, summarizing that a proposed set of changes to the WHS handbook would see the introduction of a laude system for academic recognition – akin to the honors recognition for those graduating from most universities – with a phasing out of the current valedictorian and salutatorian system.

He noted that discussion about these changes first started about five years ago, prompted in part by former principal Lori Costello. The COVID-19 pandemic previously put the plan on the back burner.

Schmieg pointed out how a great many students at WHS perform highly but don’t ultimately qualify for valedictorian.

He offered three goals for a change in the recognition system: providing a more balanced and improved high school experience, allowing students to choose classes based on educational value rather than weight of the final grade and being able to recognize more students for academic achievements.

He ultimately explained that implementation of this plan could begin this year, with 2024 graduates recognized based on the laude system. Valedictorians and salutatorians would still be recognized, though these titles would not be provided for those graduating in 2028 – freshmen starting at WHS this coming fall.

Lohman echoed and expanded on many of Schmieg’s points, particularly explaining the impact that weighted grades can have on students’ pursuit of academic honors and their overall education.

He said students will often prioritize AP or honors classes due to their weighted grades in an effort to pursue the valedictorian title, shying away from classes that might be more beneficial for them and their high school education.

“We encourage kids to do what’s best for them, and now’s the time to take art and family consumer science and band and those non-honors classes, and we want to celebrate kids who are well-rounded,” Lohman said.

McDermott continued the presentation, further explaining that the system would be just like that of a university, with graduating students with a GPA of at least 3.9 named as summa cum laude, 3.7 as magna cum laude and 3.5 as cum laude.

It was noted in the presentation that this could see roughly 30 percent of current seniors given honors recognition at graduation.

McDermott additionally said that recognition at graduation would consist of stoles with rank-signifying emblems on them.

He also noted that several nearby schools already make use of the laude system, including Mascoutah, Columbia and O’Fallon.

Waterloo School Board Vice President Neil Giffhorn voiced his positivity about the plan, and Waterloo Superintendent of Schools Brian Charron indicated the board could decide on the matter at the March school board meeting.

The Zahnow presentation took place at the start of Monday’s meeting, with first grade teacher and Zahnow Waterloo Teacher Association Union Representative Lisa Cain speaking on behalf of a substantial number of her peers in attendance.

Cain touched on a number of points regarding activity at the elementary school, first speaking about the recently begun renovations which she said have been interesting to watch for the students and will ultimately allow much-missed pre-K students and teachers to return to the school.

She offered high praise for all the faculty and staff at the school, noting the importance of early education as well as pointing out how effective implementation of Orton-Gillingham instruction – focused on multisensory teaching techniques – has been.

“I don’t know if you have heard, but the teachers and staff at Zahnow are amazing,” Cain said. “I think we sometimes forget how much academic and social growth occurs between pre-K and first grade. Without the dedication of our staff, the students would lack the core fundamentals of learning… Our students come to us knowing very little and leave Zahnow knowing how to read, write and do math.”

Emphasizing more positive on-goings at Zahnow, she pointed to how the school recognizes students and staff for good character with the respective Pawsome Award and Staff Member of the Month Award.

Cain further expressed her pride at the school’s efforts to get families involved at a number of events, including the fall Bulldog Bonfire, Saturday with Santa and the Halloween and Valentine’s Day parties hosted by parents.

Though much of her speech was positive, Cain did note several issues going on at the school. A major problem she pointed to was staffing, particularly when it comes to finding substitutes. She noted this is not a problem unique to Zahnow, and a potential solution might well be to increase substitute pay from what she estimated to be $15 an hour.

Cain also pointed out that student behavior has been an issue lately, with tantrums, language, aggression toward other students and disrespect to staff not uncommon.

She acknowledged the efforts of faculty and staff in addressing these behaviors, but added that a possible fix could include hiring a behavioral specialist or implementing a character education program to teach students strategies to help with their social and emotional stability.

Cain ultimately ended her presentation with praise for the school and her peers as well as optimism for the future.

“We have had some challenges this year, but our successes, dedication, support for one another and positive growth mindset mentality will help us persevere,” Cain said. “I love working at Zahnow, and I love my Zahnow family.”

For the first of their addressed action items, the board approved a change to the current school calendar, making April 8 a non-attendance day.

This came following discussion last month on whether or not the district should hold classes on the day of a coming solar eclipse. The path of totality includes the southern tip of Monroe County and much of neighboring Randolph County, meaning students and their parents will have an opportunity to view this unique event. 

Charron provided the results of two surveys district administration had conducted over the past month, with strong support for an off-day from both district staff and parents.

“The two main concerns we had was an unusually high number of staff requesting that day off,” Charron said. “We run short of substitutes a lot anyway. And this eclipse, the time period of this eclipse would have the kids dismissing during a somewhat dangerous time of the eclipse.”

This sets the current final day of school for this year at May 17, with teachers’ last day the following Monday. The May 19 graduation date, it was noted, would not be affected.

The calendar for the 2024-25 school year was also approved.

The board also approved a change to the high school’s course selection guide, establishing band and chorus as every-day classes.

The board also approved a bid for maintenance building pavement improvements to Sonnenberg Asphalt for $141,500 as well as another bid for Gardner Elementary and Rogers Elementary partial roof replacements to D7 Roofing for $205,325.

The board rejected all received bids for a previously discussed bleacher replacement for the junior high school and high school.

Charron explained the bids received came in higher than the allotted budget, also expressing that, as the bid included changes to the indoor and outdoor bleachers at the junior high as well as railing improvements and changes to the high school football bleachers, the packaging of all these projects likely discouraged additional bidders.