SHARON SCHOOLS 'No F' policy goes back to board

By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- It's back to the drawing board for the Sharon City School District's proposed "No F" policy.
The policy, which could bar pupils with failing grades from participating in interscholastic sports and nongraded co-curricular activities, was scheduled for final passage at Monday's school board meeting but will be sent back to committee instead.
School Director Dom Russo led the charge, saying he won't support a policy diluted to the point that it is meaningless.
Original proposal: When first proposed by school Director Richard Mancino nearly two years ago, the policy carried a provision that any pupil with a failing grade would automatically be suspended from participating in interscholastic sports or co-curricular activities until a passing grade is achieved.
It has undergone a number of revisions since then, but the latest version essentially stripped the suspension mandate from the plan.
Superintendent Richard Rossi had supported the suspension, provided that the policy include a tutorial program aimed at helping failing pupils improve their grades. He also wanted the suspension to be extended to attendance at all school functions, including dances and sporting events.