A wide range of topics—including everything from retention and promotion of students in grade levels and concerns about lowering standards for student achievement to how eighth graders are adjusting to the move to Mathews High School—was touched upon at Tuesday night’s Mathews County School Board town hall meeting, which was held in the J. Murray Brooks Auditorium at Thomas Hunter Middle School.
A relatively small crowd turned out for the town hall, an opportunity for the public to ask board members questions on school issues, in the roughly hour and 40 minute program. Seven people addressed the board with their questions/comments, with four of those taking multiple turns at the podium.
Sharon Frye of Port Haywood brought up her concerns over students being promoted to the next grade level and not retained, in spite of not being ready for that next grade.
“I don’t think there is a blanket answer as to whether children automatically go ahead and progress with school or stay back,” schoo...