The contributors to Truth About IB only know what we have read online about the IB controversy in Cherry Hill, N.J. The following article struck TAIB as being fair and balanced, see if you agree:
"The program costs the district $515,000 per year, according to officials."
"After months of research, observation in classrooms, interviews and informal discussion, the superintendent recommended a phase-out of the program at Cherry Hill High School West and a vote among certificated staff at schools that currently provide the I.B. option."
"Only 19.3 percent of Cherry Hill West’s voters supported keeping the program."
"The teacher approached the microphone later to plead with the board to allow teachers to continue their mission to “shape and create the village” of more culturally aware students."
"The board waited as the line of residents voicing opposition to the program’s high cost or pleading for its survival continued until 11:30 p.m., at which time the board agreed it would not be in its best interest, or that of residents, to make any decisions."
Truth About IB wonders why a Board, facing a Superintendent's recommendation and an outpouring of SUPPORT FOR the Superintendent's recommendation, would hold off making a decision. It would appear the IB whiners won the night. It seems to TAIB that it would have shown decisiveness and leadership if the Board had swiftly banged the gavel to save taxpayers money and sent IB packing to Geneva.
The following is the final decision and agreement reached by the Cherry Hill Board of Education after a vote by the teaching staff in all of the district's schools. An approval of greater than 70% was required to keep IB in any given school:
