Barbara Read Joins Dexter School Board

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education may approve a proposal to add a new AP Physics class to the high school curriculum beginning next year.

According to information provided to the board at its meeting on Monday, the class would be open to juniors and seniors who have successfully completed Algebra 2.

Dexter High School Principal Kit Moran told the board that the existing Accelerated Physics class currently offered at DHS would likely be phased out and replaced by the AP Physics class.

“Almost everything they are doing in the accelerated class is similar to the AP
class," he said.

The state of Michigan requires that all high school students complete biology and either physics or chemistry. Adding the new course to the curriculum would appeal to students who are interested in pursuing college studies in science, technology, engineering or math.

The addition of the AP Physics class would not require hiring additional staff, Moran said. DHS science teacher David Callaghan would instruct the class.

According to Moran, both AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes will co-exist at the high school as long as there is student demand for rigorous coursework.

“We want kids to have more choices," he said.

In other board action:

• Board President Larry Cobler and Trustees Bonnie Everdeen and Barbara Read took the oath of office at Monday’s meeting. This will be Trustee Read’s first term on the board. “I think the big issue (for the board) for this year will be appointing the new superintendent” Read said. “The superintendent sets the tone and puts the strategic plan into action.”
• Interim Superintendent Dennis Desmarais was in attendance at Monday’s meeting. “I am glad to be serving you,” Desmarais said. Desmarais served as superintendent of Riverview Community School District before retiring nearly two years ago.