Williamsport Sun-Gazette (Williamsport, PA)
July 20, 2011
Headline: Superintendent urges 'No Child' regulatory relief

By Mark Maroney

HUGHESVILLE - East Lycoming School District Superintendent Michael Pawlik wants to see schools get regulatory relief from penalties in the "No Child Left Behind" law.

"We're three years overdue for 'No Child Left Behind reauthorization," he told school board members Tuesday night.

Pawlik said he is joining other superintendents in asking U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to use his regulatory power to make changes in the law state-by-state.

Duncan supports focus on accountability for student achievement, but he wants to make the law less punitive to school districts, according to a report in U.S. News and World Report.

Pawlik suggested board members take a hard look at the potential financial impacts in 2014 should districts not achieve a 100-percent proficiency rating for its students, as required by law.

"We want the secretary to use regulatory relief to suspend financial penalties," Pawlik said.

Many administrators, teachers and parents have complained that it is nearly impossible to achieve 100 percent proficiency for all students.

In the article, Duncan said he has hopes that Congress will reauthorize a new version of the law late in the year.

The school board Tuesday held at executive session prior to the regular meeting for a personnel matter.

The next board meeting is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9.