Changes expected for students heading back to school

• By Megan Bachman
• Published: August 25, 2010

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Among the changes Yellow Springs students can expect when they head back to school today are new teachers, brighter classrooms and flexible credit opportunities.

At Mills Lawn, where enrollment is up 40 students to 377, new faces have joined the staff, including retired high school principal John Gudgel as the guidance counselor, combined classes will be in effect and kindergarten will go all day.

“In order to help with readiness later on, the state believes [all day kindergarten] will increase preparation for kids, get them more acclimated and more successful later on,” said new Mills Lawn principal Matt Housh.

At the High School and McKinney school, where enrollment stands at 358, new principal Tim Krier looks forward to implementing the “credit flex” policy for students. Under the state-mandated policy, high school students can earn credit for studies outside the classroom which will allow them accumulate credits faster or recover the credits they need to graduate.

“We can meet some needs that more conventional schools would not otherwise consider,” said Krier. “It has a lot of extraordinary potential for a community like Yellow Springs with the kind of community resources we have.”

In addition all three school buildings received an extensive energy-efficiency makeover this summer including a solar hot water installation, brand new fluorescent lighting, solar shades, daylighting and ventilation skylights and heat pump-based heating and cooling systems. And for the first time, the second and third floors of the high school will be air conditioned.

For a full story on what’s new for the coming school year, see the Aug. 26 edition of the Yellow Springs News.

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