West Des Moines Schools, a Barn and Final Exams

I realize I am going to be accused by some of not seeing the forest through the trees on this one, but as aDes Moines Register blogger I have been tasked to write about what is on my mind.  Today, that would be the West Des Moines Community School District (WDMS).  It seems to me that the folks at WDMS are the ones unable to see the big picture.

Point 1 – The Barn

Maplenol Dairy Barn Set to be Demolished

On Monday the city of West Des Moines issued a permit to WDMS to raze a century-and-a-quarter-old barn that once was part of the former Maplenol Dairy.  The barn is located along 39th Street north of Ashworth Road is on the Valley High School campus.  According to a Register article, the barn is to be demolished to make room for additional green space.  Dismantling a 125-year-old historically significant and architecturally interesting structure to create space when no case has been made that space is needed is, well, outrageous.

Setting aside, for a moment, that the barn provides a rare point of interest in a land of nondescript school structures, office buildings and late 20^th century homes, WDMS’ rush to demolish a final tie to West Des Moines’ past is shortsighted.  The barn plays a role in learning.  By tearing down this building, WDMS will be eradicating a tangible learning opportunity for the high school students of today and tomorrow and their community.   This action shows a complete lack of creativity, if not sensibility, by WDMS.  The people of the area should not let this building be destroyed.

The most ridiculous comments made in the Register article come from Elaine Watkins-Miller, director of school and community relations for WDMS.  She said, “Everyone contacted suggested some possible emotional memories but did not bring forth any names or organizations who would or could save the barn.  The majority of the 12 people contacted expressed no strong exception to removing the barn from the property.”

They contacted a total of twelve people?!?  I would submit that there are more than 12 people who are smart enough to have an idea about this.

A school district’s charge is to educate and inspire students so they can reach their potential as people.  Meeting this charge often involves more than building, supplying and staffing classrooms.  Sometimes, it might just involve working with the entire community to save a barn so it remains a part of the learning process for generations to come.

Point 2 – Final Exams are not Punishment

I was astounded to learn from a Valley High School student over the Holidays that a student with good attendance is “rewarded” by being able to opt out of final exams.  Final exams are not a punishment reserved for those who misbehave.  Final exams are a part of the learning process.  An exam is one of the many tools a teacher uses to help a student learn.  This WDMS policy tells students it is more important to be in class than to learn what is being taught there.

Page 14 of the Valley High School Handbook states, “Our semester test waiver is being used as a positive reinforcement to all students who have outstanding attendance.  A student who misses 6 or fewer days during a semester may have the option of not taking two of their finals.”

The “positive reinforcement” WDMS needs to send its students is that learning is the goal and the reward.  The system they have developed involving “suspension points” for minor infractions (i.e., tardiness, entering the building without an ID) gives the impression that not following the rules is acceptable as long as you follow the rules most of the time.

The action by West Des Moines Schools to demolish the Maplenol Dairy Barn and its test waiver policy have convinced me the District may not only be lost in the forest, but that they are busy chopping down every tree in sight in an misguided attempt to build a better one.

Graham Gillette can be reached at grahamgillette@gmail.com
This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register blog entry.