Norman School Board OKs Technology Center Credits

By Jennifer Griswold, The Oklahoman

Jul. 23–NORMAN — Norman’s high school students now can receive academic credit for science courses offered through programs at Moore Norman Technology Center.

The Norman Board of Education approved an agreement between the technology center and school district Monday that will allow students to receive credit for physics and forensics classes they take at the technology center.

Students enrolled in the technology center’s pre-engineering program complete a physics class as part of the curriculum. Students in the technology center’s biotechnology program take a forensics course.

The classes were evaluated by teachers who teach the courses in the Norman school system. They were found to meet all the academic requirements to receive credit, according to district officials. About 20 to 30 students a year will receive credit for the courses under the new rule.

Changes in graduation requirements have made it more difficult for students to participate in programs at the technology center, according to Moore Norman Technology Center officials. By receiving credit for classes taken at the technology center, it will make it easier for students to enroll in the programs and still meet credit requirements needed to graduate.

In other business, the board hired two administrators.

Nicholas Migliorino is the new director of secondary education. He comes from Tahlequah High School where he’s been principal since 2003. Migliorino has a doctorate of philosophy with an emphasis in educational technology from the University of Oklahoma.

Holly Swanson is the new principal at Whittier Middle School. She has been an assistant principal at Norman High School since 2004. She previously taught at Irving Middle School and was the district’s teacher of the year in 2000. She has a master’s of education from OU.

The board also:

— Awarded construction contracts to install air conditioning at the Norman High School and Norman North High School physical education gymnasiums, to repair the entrance at Longfellow Middle School and to repair the sprinkler system at Alcott Middle School.

— Approved a new report card to use in the district’s kindergarten classes.

— Recognized the Norman Board of Realtors and accepted a donation of $4,871 from the group for the Norman Public Schools Foundation.

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