New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

CIP, accelerated math course among new NK superintendent’s goals

By Andre Jones | August 18, 2014 8:25 pm

New superintendent of New Kent schools David Myers didn’t waste any time addressing school board members during the board’s Aug. 18 work session on issues he’d like to see emphasized to enhance education.

Myers began with capital improvement plan (CIP) steps to improve the schools. While he said HVAC repairs are needed for the comfort of students and staff, it would be an advancement in technology that will benefit all in the long run.

“We want to have wireless access throughout all the school buildings,” said the new superintendent. “Wireless internet is going to be the key to advancing our students in the right direction.

“We want to move away from isolated computer labs and give our students the best ability to enhance their education,” Myers continued. “If I gave parents the choice of having their children in a classroom with wireless access or no wireless access, I believe we all know which one they would choose.”

Myers elaborated on his stance, saying that wireless is becoming more of a necessity not only in the school system, but everywhere in society. He continued, emphasizing that the need is becoming greater with each passing day.

“We want to continue to grow and I think this will be the best way to do it,” he said. “Hopefully, [county administrator] Rodney Hathaway and the board of supervisors will see our needs.”

Myers transitioned into another topic to improve education. Handing the reins over to Ross Miller, director of instructional technology, Miller addressed a math acceleration initiative that will begin implementation in the current school year.

Miller said that the goal is to offer students new pathways to excel in the field of mathematics. Current practices have students advancing in mathematics by grades, but under the prospective plan, students would have an alternative to progress faster in the field.

Proposals include an advanced plan, targeting students to take Algebra I by the eighth grade, and an accelerated plan that would allow eighth graders to take geometry. Each of the plans pose required criteria that must be met for placement purposes. Among requirements are passing the previous regular school math course with a certain grade, passing Standards of Learning (SOL) tests with a required score, and teacher recommendations.

Miller continued, saying there are no designated classes for the courses, but regular classes would be integrated and infused with current curriculum. He concluded, saying that the proposed plan is to be implemented starting with 25 to 30 rising fifth graders at both New Kent and George Watkins elementary schools.

“There will be some issues to address,” Myers chimed in. “I like the way New Kent Middle School works as a team and I hope through professional development days that when these students enter that school that we all will be on the same page.”