Saturday School Symposium

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – At last night’s School Board meeting, board member Tim Steele proposed a policy that would require students with disciplinary problems to attend Saturday morning sessions at school.

The proposal was met with both approval and disgust. “I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it – in higher taxes as well as in ruined Saturdays,” Peggy Bacon, a parent, said.

Steele defended the proposal by claiming that it would reduce the number of in house suspensions. “I know this isn’t good news for parents, but I hope the threat of Saturday classes will make the students think twice before breaking school rules,” he said.

The students had their voice heard as well. “…I don’t like this idea. I think it’s just being done to make life easier for the faculty, so they don’t have to deal with detentions during the week,” said Lisa Gallagher, a senior.

Steele also said that it would help combat smoking, which he believes to be the main problem at the school. “There are other problems, but smoking is by far the biggest one,” he said.

When asked what the consequences would be if a student skipped the session, Steele responded that “If a student skips Saturday School, he or she would not be allowed to return to school until the detention has been served.”

After the discussion, the board voted 5-3, with one member abstaining, to table the issue until its next meeting, on March 7th. Steele was told to return at that time with figures covering the number of in school detentions to date.

Superintendent of Schools Nathan Greenberg gave a report detailing efforts to push forward with a $21 million dollar budget for next tear, which represents a 5.5% increase. A special citizens committee has been formed to review how other communities fund education using tax dollars.

An approval of food service and school department bills were approved, amounting to $13,568. Another item of new business discussed involved a retreat for administrators in June, as well as four requests for leaves of absence by teachers in the coming year.