Caddo Hills announces literacy partnership, sets graduation date

DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
Board members learned that Caddo Hills School District will be able to hire additional staff to aid in literacy learning thanks to a partnership with Save the Children, a non-profit organization which offers assistance to children world-wide.
Save the Children is an international organization best known for their cooperative work overseas which includes the sponsorship of children in underprivileged countries. Their U.S. programs include Early Steps to School Success, the program Caddo Hills will be utilizing.
The Early Steps to School Success program serves underserved rural areas in collaboration with local schools like Caddo Hills as well as community agencies. Early Steps focuses on language development and pre-literacy; in school literacy tutoring; and after school literacy, physical fitness and nutrition programs serving children birth to age 12.
The program includes regular home visits from a trained early childhood educator; parent/child education groups in school and community settings; child play groups and storybook hours; a book bag lending program for children; transition to school activities and community referrals and follow up.
The partnership will allow Caddo Hills to hire two additional staff members to work with students in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade. A Early Steps Coordinator would be hired on a 12 month contract and an afterschool coordinator would be hired on a 190 day contract. Both salaries would be shared by the school and Save the Children. The school would be responsible for providing technology needed in the program.
Elementary Principal Debbie Stephens reported that she had received word that Caddo Hills has been approved for the partnership with a formal announcement to come later.
Superintendent Deric Owens shared with the board members that the district was working on a district wide plan for school reentry in August. The district is considering using the Lincoln Learning Digital Learning System. Owens acknowledged that internet access is an issue with any digital learning program. School administrators are forming teams to develop plans for the upcoming school year. CARE funding will be used to purchase devices for students to take home to help with digital learning activities. They have discussed downloading videos of classes onto flash drives to be given to students without internet access.
Current state restrictions are also a cause of concern regarding bussing. As is, busses will only be able to transport 15 students at a time. This would increase transportation to and from school significantly.
The Nurse’s station was another cause for concern. Currently it is too small to accommodate quarantining a student with a potential case of COVID-19 and assisting other students. Owens also pointed out that the district had employees with health concerns that put them at high risk regarding COVID-19.
Owens shared a breakdown of the cost of bonds and money received from their sale. The district will receive approximately $1,896,000 after all fees and old bond debt is paid.
Owens reported that the district has been informed that they meet all SPED requirements.
In new business the board adopted a resolution for the suspension of district policy to align with emergency COVID-19 legislation and statutory/rule waivers.
The board adopted a resolution to carry over funds from the 2019-20 school year to the new school year.
The board denied a request of transfer for a family with four students wishing to transfer to Centerpoint. The reason given for transfer was the students wanted to try something new. A motion was made, but no second was made. The request was not granted due to a lack of a vote. Board member Kinzie Bour stated that she was against their request because they could have transferred during the school choice period. Superintendent Owens explained that the school choice period was advertised locally in several media formats and that the school choice period was the time to transfer if you are “wanting to try something new.”
The board approved the transfer of two students to Centerpoint. The students’ mother explained that the students have attended Centerpoint for the past five years, but the family recently moved into the Caddo Hills School District. The students would like to stay in the school they have been attending. The board agreed to allow the transfer.
The board hired Amber Hoffpauir to fill an elementary school paraprofessional position for the 2020-21 school year.
The board hired personnel for contracted services. Jerry Mullin was hired for occupational therapy, Sheri Smith was hired as speech and language pathologist and Dr. Rhonda Tannehill was hired as psychological examiner. No one was hired as physical therapist. Owens explained that the position had not been needed for some time and would be filled if needed. He also shared that the district would be advertising for the RN position.
In other business:
Owens reported that the flooring project at the elementary school was completed at a cost of $18,925.
Owens reported that the contractor was accepting bids for the parking lot project. He added that if costs are excessive he will consider postponing the project until a later date.
Owens informed the board of an upcoming virtual training seminar.
Owens mentioned the possibility of expanding the canopy at the concession stand for the baseball and softball fields.
Owens presented a short report on the purchase of the adjoining property. The purchase has not been completed. Board member Tammy Young wanted it noted that the purchase of the property would not come from the bond money, but would come from building fund money.
Owens reported that a new scorer’s table has been installed with help from First State Bank in Glenwood.
After the meeting, Owens shared that the District has scheduled graduation for Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m. More details will be given at a later date.

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