Watkins looks at adding two programs

Watkins looks at adding two programs

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen school board discussed two programs during their regular meeting Monday, June 6. This included the reestablishment of the district's modified cheerleading program, along with the proposed creation of an advanced placement (AP) psychology class.
While no official vote was required by the board to reestablish modified cheerleading, Superintendent Tom Phillips said while the district has the team budgeted, they have not always had it due to fluctuating numbers.
"We have always had modified cheerleading as part of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association Contract," Phillips said. "However, we didn't fill it as a position. Two reasons: one, some of the interest has waned from time to time, and two, the competition is just not there in our area for modified cheerleading."
However, Phillips noted the numbers are rising, which allows them to reestablish the team for the next school year.
"As we looked at numbers, the numbers are really starting to come up," Phillips said. "We are still struggling with a little bit of competition. Kids are going to have to travel to compete, but as long as there is interest and we have already budgeted for it, there is no reason to not reestablish it."
The board also heard a presentations from Teacher Alex Richmond about possibly adding an AP psychology class next year. He said this would be a full-year elective course to replace the current half-year, lower-level course. Richmond said it would be available to juniors and seniors with an 85 or higher average in social studies and science for college credit. He said this is offered through College Board, with the student's performance on an AP examination determining if a student earns college credit.
Richmond said the expectations for this course will be more rigorous than the lower-level course, but added it is one of the more manageable AP courses available. High School Principal Kai D'Alleva said this course offers more to students than the traditional course, adding "there is a pretty big interest."
"I don't think we are going to lose too many kids in the process of upping this course to a full credit and going toward the AP," D'Alleva said. "I think it offers a great deal more to our students than the traditional course as it existed in the last couple of years."
The principal said due to staff turnover, the lower-level course had bounced around between teachers, noting it had not found a solid "home" yet. D'Alleva added he had contemplated not offering the course until Richmond came to him with the AP idea, as standard psychology enrollment had been pretty low over the past few years. The board will vote on this measure at their next regular meeting.