IB Authorization Being Pursued at Indian Trail

International Baccalaureate World School status will be sought at — but no other school in the district — by the Feb. 13. 

Just in January, to obtain International Baccalaureate World School status for Indian Trail Elementary School and not pursue such status at any other school in the district at this time."

Board member Rod Armstrong was the lone dissenting vote in the decision to pursue world school status. 

The board unanimously approved the second recommendation to not pursue the IB program at any other school in the district besides Indian Trail, "unless formally approved by the board."

Armstrong cited cost, community input and "most importantly" the students as the reasons he opposed the first recommendation.

"It takes excellent parents, excellent teachers and an excellent community to make 'Excellent' students," Armstrong said. "Why would we bring in a third party?"

Armstrong said he didn't like the cost of the program, and feared possible hidden costs.

"If we have to ... add something to infrastructure to maintain certification ... then we may have to make a decision to take away from another school to keep up with the resources of a program we're locked into," he said. 

Board member Fred Bonacci said his 'yes' vote was in response to what the teachers at Indian Trail said they want. He said keeping the program for another year is like running a pilot program. 

"I met with the teachers here at Indian Trail for two and a half hours ... I believe in our teachers and they wanted to try it out for a year — and I'm OK with that," Bonacci said. "After a year, we need to evaluate this program, to make sure it's doing what we think it an do."

According to the program's website, it takes a few years for a candidate school to pursue World School status. Indian Trail is in its second year as a candidate school.