School Board Member Announces Resignation

Dr. Brandon Brown announced his resignation from the Sidney School District Board of Education. At the end of Monday’s board of education meeting, Dr. Brown announced his last board meeting will be in August. He said he and his wife will be leaving Sidney Aug. 26.

“It has been a pleasure,” he said. “ I have thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve learned.”

College is still considered a stepping stone of success. For some students, the problem is funds and timing.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of tuition, room and board for a four-year university has increased from $12,052 in 1985-86 to $26,120 in 2015-16. Public institutions have increased from $8,449 in 1985-86 to $19,189 in 2015-16. Private nonprofit and for-profit colleges and universities increased from $20,207 in 1985-86 to $39,529 in 2015-16.

Sidney High School has a program to help students determined to earn a college degree, or more. Imagine if college credit could be earned while attending Sidney High School, taught by an SHS teacher. The cost would be much cheaper than attending a college or university, and the credit for work accomplished would follow the student to the college or university of choice.

Sidney High School’s Dual Credit Program offers students a chance to get a step ahead in their college career before earning their high school diploma. The program benefits students and their parents, according to Sheri Ehler, Sidney School District’s Director of Assessment. The program offers students motivated with the desire and ability for college-level coursework to be taught in a familiar environment, by a familiar teacher. The program is better still when the costs are a fraction of attending a university.

The college classes can be taught by any teacher with a master’s degree or 18 hours of coursework in a specific discipline and studying for a master’s degree.

Ehler discussed the program with the school board during Monday night’s board meeting.

Monday night’s meeting also included approval of the District’s policy on Complaint Procedures, Record Management and Retention, Staff Internet and Computer Use, the student handbook for the 2018-19 school year and approval of the Rauner and Associates, P.C. As the District’s financial auditor at a cost of $19,157.