By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Brandywine being labeled a "dropout factory" was the highlight of Monday night's Brandywine Community Schools Board of Education meeting.
It was clear that a recent study, which was conducted by John Hopkins University, has quite a few Brandywine students, staff and administration upset.
Students in Jim Ackles' fourth grade class at Brandywine Elementary School had a chance to express their feelings before the board.
Ackles explained that every Friday, his class reads the Niles Daily Star and discusses an article. For their presentation, the class chose to discuss the article about Brandywine being labeled a "dropout factory."
Students, who gave the presentation in three groups, made posters boards featuring the article. They also gave a speech as to why they thought the school was far from a dropout factory.
"There are a lot of issues with this study being done. What they did was take all incoming freshman and if they did not graduate from Brandywine, they were labeled as dropouts. They didn't take into consideration the fact that some of these students may have transferred to another school," Board President Philip Bozung said to those in attendance.
According to the John Hopkins study, Brandywine's dropout rate was 40 percent for 2005-06. However, Superintendent John Jarpe said it was actually only about 9 percent, taking into consideration the students who moved to another school, were expelled, or left the school district for any other reason other than dropping out.
The board discussed possible ways of tracking incoming freshmen all the way until they graduate or leave.
"It wouldn't be that hard. There are only about 100 students in each class. This is part of our job as board members and I think it could be very effective," Secretary Michael Shelton said.
Jarpe added that even though the study was harsh and many do not agree, it was a silver lining to get the administration to look at the students more closely.
In other news, Brandywine schools learned it will be getting $96 per student instead of $48, which is twice the funding increase in the Per Pupil Grant.
"That's great news," Jarpe said. He added that the increase will not hurt the school's funding.
Also, Ruth Kittleson, a math teacher at Brandywine High School, is a Teacher of the Year nominee. Lynn Mickiewicz, a Brandywine Elementary teacher, was also nominated for the award.
Jarpe was pleased that two Brandywine teachers were nominated just this year.
Also, the board approved a contract with Saint Mary's College for student teachers and interns.
The board approved a contract with Kachur Tree Service for the district's snow plowing during the winter months.