By HOLLY WAGNER

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Carla Kimber has lived in Quincy long enough to know that there are strong feelings both for and against the School District.

Kimber, the mother of three school-age children, is the kind of person who likes to make up her own mind. Last October, when she learned the district was starting PACT -- Parents and Community Team -- she volunteered to join.

"My biggest reason for wanting to do it was to ... educate myself more about where the School Board was going," Kimber said. She wanted to know what her children and their friends would be dealing with in the schools.

After four meetings, Kimber said the experience has been "fantastic. I have learned so much.

"I realize there are myths out there in the community about where the School Board or School District is going," she said. "It makes me feel like my kids are in good hands, to be honest."

That's exactly what Patricia Sullivan-Viniard, assistant superintendent for curriculum, hoped when she formed the group last fall.

The invitation to join was sent out districtwide. About 25 people were chosen who represent all the schools, as well as the district's various socio-economic and ethnic groups. The groups gather with administrators and teachers to talk about different issues that are important to them and to provide their feedback.

They recently discussed the district's new grading scale and grading practices that have been implemented mainly at the high school. Their comments will help the district fine-tune that policy both at the high school and as it is introduced at Junior High.

"That's the whole goal and purpose of this group," Viniard said.

At their most recent meeting, Special Education Coordinator Kristen Kendrick talked about RTI -- or Response to Intervention -- that all districts must adopt by the 2010-2011 school year.

RTI will require schools to identify students' academic and behavioral needs, analyze how to meet them and then monitor the students' performance. The Quincy District has already introduced programs that are part of RTI, but the district must come up with a plan for next year.

"We wanted parent participation and suggestions as we work through this process," Viniard said. "We want to begin this conversation and see where it takes us ... and where you would like us to go with this."

Viniard is pleased with the way PACT is providing two-way communication between the public and the schools. "I think this is very good for our district," she said.

Heather Nuttelman said she is looking forward to hearing what will happen with the group's input on the grading scale.

"I was very confused," she said. "Now I understand and am positive about it. I see where they're trying to go with it ...

"A lot of people in this community are always complaining. I want to be able to comment and bring something positive back ... from this group on what good things the district is doing," Nuttelman said. "I really, really like it."

-- hwagner@whig.com/221-3374