GRPS superintendent lays out top 10 district issues | Education

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Grand Rapids Public Schools' new superintendent, Teresa Weatherall Neal, is on a listening tour.

Teachers, principals, the superintendent, and other staff helped come up with a top ten list of issues concerning the district. They are as follows:

1. Hubs for electives (like marching band)
2. Blended learning (combination of lessons on computers and traditional teaching)
3. 'H' grades instead of F's for attendance
4. Lack of electives
5. Absence of Art and PE
6. Scheduling
7. Inconsistent use of the Uniform Discipline Code
8. Clear process for hiring, recruiting, and retention
9. Culture (fighting in school, etc.)
10. Lack of alignment of initiatives

One of the biggest issues is poor attendance -- and they say a policy doesn't correct the problem. 

The district also found elective "hubs" were not drawing in students or teachers.  Hubs are where students and teachers from multiple schools are bussed to one location, like marching band.

Another concern surrounds the controversial blended classes.  A blended class combines computer and traditional learning.
District leaders say they aren't working.

One of the largest issue is "H" grades. Students who were not attending class would not fail -- instead they'd get a chance to do the class over by getting an "H" grade.