DANVILLE — Eighth-grade graduation in Danville District 118 schools could be a thing of the past if board members agree with the middle school principals’ recommendation.

The board will hear the recommendation Wednesday. However, its members won’t vote on it at that time.

According to a statement from North Ridge Middle School Principal Mark Goodwin and South View Middle School Principal Jason Bletzinger, “At one time, graduating from the eighth grade was an accomplishment. However, graduation from middle school today is merely a requirement for promotion to high school. …

“Having an eighth-grade diploma has not qualified a student for any job or position for nearly a century and may take away from the special uniqueness of the high school commencement.”

Principals and administrators want to place more emphasis on high school graduation.

“The idea has been kicked around the last 10 years a number of times,” Associate Superintendent Mark Denman said.

When junior high schools opened in Danville, eighth-grade graduation ceremonies were eliminated, he said. They returned in 1981 as informal honors programs. Since then, the programs have grown to be time-consuming and extravagant for some.

Purchasing gowns and planning celebrations is a burden for many families, both principals wrote.

“I think quite a few parents agree with this,” Denman said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Strategic planning

Board members Wednesday also will hear an update on a community group’s strategic plan for the district. Businessman Lou Mervis and Danville Area Community College President Alice Jacobs serve as co-chairs of the group.

Other members include Vermilion Advantage President and CEO Vicki Haugen, Dwight Lucas, Linda Bolton and Jim Mulvaney.

Superintendent Nanette Mellen said the group sets goals for the district, as well as plans for improvement.

Goals achieved since the group formed include implementing a district Web site, publishing an insert in the Commercial-News, writing an alumni newsletter and installing cameras on school buses.

“Not all maintenance issues have been addressed, but we’ve been fairly aggressive as money allows,” Mellen said.

Board president Pete Krainock is proud the district has been able to maintain its neighborhood schools, including Cannon and Garfield elementary schools.

However, he said the only “real jewel” the district has in terms of new facilities is Southwest Elementary School.

Krainock applauded the all-weather track project, nutritional improvements in school meals and the school’s ongoing policy accountability efforts.

He would like to see continued efforts on behalf of the district’s special education students as related to No Child Left Behind.

“Up to this point, we’re not even halfway to meeting all the needs of our needy children,” he said.

Common calendar

Board members also will look at the proposed 2007-08 and 2008-09 county calendars, which will synchronize all school districts in Vermilion County.

“This is the closest we’ve come to having a calendar everyone is adhering to,” Mellen said.

In past years, districts have had differences, particularly relating to teacher professional development days.

“Some of our employees live in the county or in outlying areas. … It’s important we’re all on the same calendar,” she said.

The common calendar also would be important for scheduling programs and classes through DACC, she said.