By Jake Campeau
Times Writer

Boyertown has joined various other districts in opposing proposed exams.

During the meeting on Sept. 22, members of the Boyertown School Board voted unanimously to oppose a proposal by the State Board of Education to enact Keystone Exams, a form of testing that many members feel won’t adequately gauge the potential of students in Boyertown.

“Any time a state sets a standard, it is generally a minimum standard,” said Board Member John Crossley.

Crossley expressed concern that the proposed Keystone Exams would both usurp the authority of local school districts and lower the standards of Boyertown School District-which has been historically high performing.

According to past reports, the first set of tests would replace the PSSAs if the Keystone Exams are approved.

Oley Valley School Board members recently voted 9-1 in favor of a resolution expressing their disapproval of the tests.

In other business:

• With a Pennsylvania state budget yet to be determined, board members want Gov. Ed Rendell to put his money where his mouth is. 

Board members voted 8-1 to pass a resolution that urges the Pennsylvania general assembly to approve the 2009-2010 budget immediately, with a provision that would ensure adequate funding for educators in the neighborhood of $300 million statewide. 

That number was proposed by the governor as part of his Basic Education funding formula for the previous years budget, and any reduction in the funding will directly affect the school district since a local budget has already been put in place based on those figures.

While the district is able to cover the cost of teachers’ salaries thanks to local tax revenue, it is painfully clear that no one on the school board is pleased about the predicament they are in.

Pennsylvania holds the distinction of being the only state in the country without a budget.

• Susan Kinney gave a presentation about a new initiative called Response to Intervention that has been adopted by Pine Forge and Earl elementary schools.  The plan strives to meet the learning needs of each student to ensure future success.

Kinney lauded Pine Forge and Earl Elementary as “pioneers” for taking the proactive step to further reach the goal of individual success of their pupils.

“I’m extremely proud of my staff,” said Craig Zern, principal of Earl Elementary School.

“They’ve worked very hard,” Zern said.

While this initiative is focused on individual achievement, educators have their work cut out for them.

“We need to continuously monitor if the students are responding to the intervention that is put in place,” said Zern. “It’s for our kids.”