Centennial Approves Changes to Curriculum and Construction Projects

The Centennial School Board covered a number of issues at their Tuesday evening meeting, including the adoption of the McGraw-Hill Everyday Mathematics program for grades K-5 and the approval of change orders for the William Tennent High School Additions and Renovations Project.

However, the first order of business was to announce the generals for William Tennent High School's annual Black and White Night competition.  Adam Assterito and Kelsey Hiltebeitel will lead the Black Chaos while Karin Lydon and Justin Massaro will lead the White Pirates. 

Black and White Night begins tonight at 7:30 and will run through Friday.  The students are separated by last name (the Black being students with last names beginning with the letters A-K and the White team, names beginning with L-Z) and will engage in a series of academic and athletic competitions.  Wednesday evening will be devoted entirely to academics; Thursday will be pool night and Friday is gym night.

“It’s all about school spirit and it’s an amazing thing,” said Board Member Cynthia Mueller prior to voicing her support for the white team.

“Go black!” countered her colleague, Kati Driban. 

Driban also spoke on behalf of the Hall of History - a project designed to preserve the school district’s past, all the way back to the merger between Warminster and Southampton.

“We’re looking for memorabilia, stories - but what we need most are volunteers to help us put it together,” said Driban.

Anyone that wishes to contribute to the project is encouraged to contact Driban via email, or to write or phone her directly at the district’s administrative building. 

The motion to passed unanimously, 8-0, despite protest from community member Leigh Lieberman who was present to voice her dissent. 

Lieberman has been a fixture at these meetings, often speaking in favor of Singapore Math, a program she feels would benefit Centennial students much more than Everyday Mathematics.

“This program was rejected by the Texas Board of Education for a number of reasons,” said Lieberman.  “It has several flaws.  For one - racial minorities do not do nearly as well with it as the aggregate population.”

Board President Andrew Pollock has been aware of Lieberman’s concerns for some time, but still feels that Everyday Mathematics is the district’s best option.

“We looked into Singapore Math,” said Pollock.  “Our teachers looked into it.  Their research determined it was not as good of a program as Everyday Mathematics. [Lieberman] has been a supporter of Singapore math for years but we had to go with our research and that spoke more favorably towards the program we’re adopting.”   

The board also approved the motion to

All board members were present with the exception of Jane Schrader Lynch.  Lynch planned to attend the meeting remotely, but technical difficulties made it impossible.

In Other Centennial News:

•   Beauty and the Beast is the choice this year.

• The Finance Committee will hold their next meeting next Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m. in the board room of the district's Johnsville Administration Building.

•  School Bus #93 was involved in an accident while leaving Log College Middle School Tuesday.  Residents were on hand to voice their disapproval of the driver of the bus,  who has been accused of neglect, and reportedly has often been seen listening to his headphones while transporting students.