The Catasauqua School Board is expected to discuss a revision of the Catasauqua High School grading policy and possibly to vote on a revision at one of its meetings this month.

During the Catasauqua School Board's June 10 meeting, district Director of Curriculum and Academics Kristina Lutz-Doemling said she had attended a retreat that covered the topic of employing a more consistent grading scale.

According to Lutz-Doemling, the current manner in which the district assigns grades is not beneficial for purposes of college applications and admissions.

"The numerical grades now in the district are not converted to the proper scale, so district students are at a disadvantage," she said.

Board member Donald Panto asked Catasauqua High School Principal David Ascani how a new system, if developed, would affect honor roll status. Ascani said requirements and standards for honor roll designation would have to be adjusted.

Currently in the district, a student must achieve a 93 for high honors and a 85 for honor roll designation.

Ascani also said the district grading policy is not competitive with other districts in the Lehigh Valley.

"If a student gets a C, they are not allowed on honor roll," Ascani said. "In other schools, they would be."

Ascani further pointed out the district still uses percentages in assigning grades.

"I don't know many schools that use percentage," he said.

Panto asked Ascani how a new grading scale might affect the mentality and work ethic of the student body.

"I think most kids will aspire to where they have to go," Ascani said.

After receiving input from district staff, the board will further discuss and vote on the issue of adjusting the grading scale in August.

Also during the June meeting, Chairman of the Medical Academy Charter School board Dr. Craig Haytmanek, M.D., presented a status report on the charter school.

"We did successfully complete the year," Haytmanek told board members.

He said the charter school will be admitting students for the ninth through 11th grades in September. He also said he is allowing one student per week to work in his office so they gain a general understanding of a medical practice.