By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Massena Central School District may start using a vendor to score their grades three through eight math and English language arts (ELA) standardized tests.

Curriculum Director Stephanie Allen told the board on Thursday night that they could save more than $10,000 annually, since it requires teachers to spend two to six days outside the classroom grading tests.

Allen said a company called Optimum Solutions Corporation hires New York state-certified teachers to grade the tests. They are securely sent off-site and the grades are calculated and sent back to Massena.

“Over 250 districts are vendor-scored,” Allen said. “They (test graders) go through a very rigorous process of applying for that.

“The number one reason the districts really embraced this is the teachers get to stay in the classroom.”

She said she would oversee packaging and shipping the tests, which are boxed, sealed and barcoded.

“I can’t leave until the boxes are taped, secured, barcoded,” she said.

Trustee Loren Fountain said he was concerned that the district could suffer if the test-graders aren’t up to task.

“There’s no effect on the APPR but there is an effect on the district if we don’t score well on these tests, we become a Focus District,”

“I met with the grade level leaders … they’re willing to give it a try,” Allen said.

Massena Central teachers are eligible to apply and grade the tests on their own time, she said.

Superintendent Pat Brady said the move would not require school board action.