Rumor Mill-5061

Published June 7, 2012

The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating.  If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS.  Below are some of the questions we received since our last issue.

I noticed in the last rumor mill that students taking a high school foreign language credit course as eighth graders aren't required to take the second year of that language.  We have been told that if our child takes the HS credit course Algebra I as an eighth grader, she is required to take four other math courses in high school.  This appears to be a different standard based on the topic of the course.  Our child would like to take Algebra I early to free up space in her high school schedule, not make it fuller be adding another required course. Also, it's very difficult to predict if she would want or be able to take an advanced math course five years from now.  Please explain why the requirements are different depending on the course the eighth grader takes early.

The WCS practices and requirements reflect state rules.  Tennessee students must now take a math course in every year of high school, regardless of how many credits they earn.  Students may take Algebra I and, in some cases, geometry in middle school, but this does not reduce the number of math courses that must be taken in high school.  These courses just make room for more advanced math courses during the high school years.

I haven't really heard much about the WCS budget lately.  What's the latest?

The Williamson County Commission Budget and Education Committees approved the 2012-13 WCS budget requests April 23.  The Commission will meet Monday, July 9 at 9 a.m. to approve all budgets.  That meeting will also be held in the auditorium of the Williamson County Administrative Complex.  The 2012-13 WCS budget proposal is posted ONLINE.