The scoop: Principal Margaret Pitts reported that students in grades three to eight performed well on the latest round of MEA tests. Class average scores in 14 of the 16 grade-subject area tests were above state average. Pitts noted that Minot students made significant improvement in the two tests where they scored below state average. Seventh-grade students’ math scores rose from six points below state average a year ago to two points below this year. And eighth-graders’ math scores went from eight points below average to only one point below. In writing tests, given for the first time to fifth- and eighth-graders only, the fifth-graders scored five points above state average and the eighth-graders, six points above state average.

New leadership

The scoop: At the board’s September meeting, Chairwoman Lisa Sabatine, citing her imminent move to another town, resigned. At Tuesday’s meeting, the board elected Vice Chairwoman Sue Callahan as its new chairwoman and named Steve Holbrook its new vice chairman. Christopher Woodford, who served on the board from 2002 to 2005, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Woodford will serve until municipal elections are held in March.

Veterans Day

The scoop: On Friday, Nov. 9, the Minot Consolidated School will honor those who have served in the country’s armed services with a “Bring a veteran to lunch day.”

– By Winslow Durgin