MASSENA -- A review of Massena Central’s International Baccalaureate program went well, with the exception of a couple minor suggestions, IB teacher Jan Normille told the Board of Education recently.

"We came out with seven commendations, one matter to be addressed, and about 15 recommendations,” she said of what she described as a “routine evaluation” of the program.

She said the reviewers’ only concern was that the district may be able to do more to encourage students to take the full IB course load, rather than taking select classes.

"They feel we're not going enough to promote that students can be a part of and attempt the full diploma,” Normille said, adding that they need to respond with a plan by Dec. 1, but will not be required to increase their numbers.

Normille and school board members, discussing the issue at the May 3 board meeting, said that brings obstacles to students who want to take both IB and focus on music or art programs.

"It seems like with my older two kids the IB diploma was a problem when they are doing music ... more of a scheduling thing,” board president Paul Bronchetti said.

"I agree with that 100 percent,” Normille replied. "When they get to this point they kind of have to make a choice. It kind of depends where they're going to end up after school.”

"I discussed it with them (IB program reviewers) and they said that's a perfectly logical reason,” Trustee Loren Fountaine said.

He added that with their current course configuration, it would cost money to maintain both their current offerings and the IB program.

“We would have to add staff,” he said, adding that he believes the reviewers may have come to Massena after “looking at schools in a much better financial situation than we are.”

Normille added that the reviewers suggested the board do more to communicate what’s going on with the IB program, such as possibly starting a monthly IB newsletter, and working more with teachers in lower grades.

"They'd like our collaboration to focus on more interdisciplinary collaboration ... reaching down to ninth and tenth grade teachers,” she said.

Fountaine said he’s impressed that the school was able to maintain the program despite deep education cuts at the state level during the economic recession 10 years ago.

"We are very lucky to have this program and keep this program through the economic downfall of 2008, 2009, 2010,” he said.

"Thank you for all the work,” he said to Normille. “It's a great program. We're lucky to have it.”