“Administrators from South Whidbey’s public schools gave the school board a preview of what they will be emphasizing when the year begins Sept. 5.At the board’s regular monthly meeting Monday night, Bernie Mahar, primary school principal, said making decisions on a new math curriculum is a top goal, as is refining the student portfolio system the school adopted several years ago. The other schools are just beginning the portfolio requirement.We’re ahead of the curve, she said. Another priority is to emphasize the need for respect among students, which will be done through further training in the Tribes program, started by former elementary principal Judi Fenton.Doug Hale, newly named interim principal at South Whidbey Intermediate School, quipped, I have no ideas what our building goals are. Board members laughed, but then Hale got serious and told them that the top two goals are implementing student portfolios and adopting a math curriculum, followed closely by reading emphasis. When he was assistant principal at the high school, Hale headed the district-wide math curriculum committee.Tim Gordon, Langley Middle School vice principal, said that school is involved in developing a grade 6-12 reading plan; is planning on expanding the portfolio program beyond last year’s pilot effort; and is working with other schools on aligning the curricula so there will be more of a continuum of development for the kids. The middle school’s theme this year is diversity.Mike Johnson, high school principal, said his school is working with LMS on the transitional program, and is trying to create enthusiasm, school spirit. Toward that end all incoming ASB officers were sent to the Ropes Course near Coupeville this week. Other high school priorities are reading improvement, further investigation of portfolios, and math and technology upgrades. “