Groveport Madison Board of Education President Dr. Naomi Sealey challenged the citizens group Help Our Pupils Excel (HOPE) and others who may be critical of the district to step up and help Groveport Madison.
"There’s so much talk and controversy and misinformation (about the district)," said Sealey at the board’s Feb. 13 meeting. "If you want to know the facts, contact me or come to a board meeting. If nothing else, be positive, don’t write poison pen letters to the paper. We want the best for our children, so help us and step up and do something about it."
Dan Knode, spokesman for HOPE, which is a group that tried to split the district into two separate districts in 2006, replied to Sealey stating his family has graduated five generations from Groveport Madison schools.
"To say HOPE or I don’t care is wrong," said Knode. "You shouldn’t fear us, you should thank us because we feel our efforts helped progress the district. We care about the district as much as you do."
Other Groveport Madison news
•The board tabled a resolution that would enable students to waive the physical education requirement of one half credit if they participate in one of the following school sponsored activities for at least two full seasons: interscholastic athletics, marching band, cheerleading, theatre, Cruiserettes, flagline, bowling, and Stomp Team. The resolution was tabled as the board wanted to further review the details of the proposal.
•The board approved the following new starting times for the 2008-09 school year: high school, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; junior high and middle schools, 8:05 a.m. to 2:50 p.m; elementary schools, 9:05 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.; pre-K, 9:05-11:45 a.m.; and mid-day, 1:10-3:50 p.m.
