Kenneth Newman, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction, advised the members of the Pleasant Valley school board that he received information recently from the state department of education that standardized test scores are down across the board.

"The tests were changed last year and the schools were given very little time to adjust to the changes," Newman said. "The result is that test scores throughout the state are lower and we should expect our scores to be lower as well."Newman said the schools should receive the test results sometime in September, although last year they were not received until November."We need to remember that our teachers worked very hard to prepare their students," Newman said. "They were not given enough time and only a small sample of test questions to prep with."Another item brought up for consideration during the board meeting was raised by Superintendent Carole Geary. She said each year she receives at least 10 to 12 requests for out-of-district enrollments."In the past we would accept out-of-district students and charge tuition," Geary said. "But when we ran out of space and were holding classes in basements, we did away with the policy. Now that we have more space I would like to look into the possibility of doing this."I hate to turn away families who are attracted to us because of our excellent reputation, but I don't want to spend the time and effort if the board is not interested. It's just something I would like you to consider for discussion at another time."Geary also took the opportunity to thank the boys' basketball team and the cheerleaders for their donations toward the message board for the new gymnasium.Also of note was that all Monroe County schools will follow a uniform start date this year with the first day of school being Aug. 31.