I attended the BOE meeting Thursday evening, and the 123 grading system was discussed.

Here are the developments:

(1) The speaker (Mary Harwell) reported that the state regulations required number grades for 4th grade and higher.

(2) Over 850 parents and 250 teachers took the online survey on 123. Results were not reported, but will be "soon." One board member expressed concern over whether the results could have been "stuffed" by some people voting over and over.

(3) Mary said there would probably be "no new pilots" of 123 next year due to the 4th grade wall they are hitting. Sounded like all 3rd grade would be 123, but I wasnt sure.

(4) From the commentary of all the BOE members, they seem sold on the 123 system. One comment was made that parents "just need to be educated," that this has been in the works for "8 years," and that it is a "culture shift" parents will "have to get used to."

(5) Board member Luke H. did bring up the possibility of a "hybrid" report card with normal grades and 123.

(6) Board member Ann C. said the "state was moving to 123" and "Forsyth was on the edge of that."

(7) Someone said that our people have been presenting to other school systems who want to follow our lead on 123.

(8) At the May board meeting, the 82-member grading committee will present recommendations.

In summary, with this current Board, it appears to me the 123 is a done deal to the maximum extent that the State will allow our county to implement.