The New Franklin School Board met Wednesday night and rehashed elementary principal Pam Chitwood’s suggestion of making the 5th grade classrooms gender specific.

“I just want to clarify, that we do not have a bullying problem or a discipline problem,” said Chitwood, responding to phone calls from parents after last month’s meeting. Chitwood explained the reasoning for the new format would be to enhance the

students’ academic performance. She said the research she has found shows that by separating boys and girls in the classrooms, the boys improve their academic performance in communication arts while the girls are more apt to improve in the math and science subjects.

After reviewing MAP scores provided by Chitwood, the class which will be in fifth grade when school starts in the fall, received low scores and some fell into the at-risk program.

“Something is not working and this might reach them,” said Chitwood.
Board members asked how high of a risk the board would be taking by allowing Chitwood to implement the program for a year.