Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
Nowhere are the effects of the current COVID-19 more pandemic noticeable than in our local schools. The River Bend Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020, opened with reports from the building Principals. Each referenced higher failure numbers and the need for absentee management.
Principal Jeff Hoese reported 15 failing students in the Elementary grades. Plans are being made to implement after-school, one-on-one assistance to students, in the first two weeks of January 2021.
Middle School Principal Kathleen Schipper noted a failure rate of 38% which is compared to 15% at the same time in 2019. Interestingly, 93% of the students recording two-or-more failing grades were learning remotely. The Middle School will offer a Credit Recovery Program in the second semester, for students struggling during this crisis.
Principal Bob Gosch reported similar challenges within the High School. First semester failure numbers total 118. After-school assistance is planned for the second semester.
All Principals included parent conferencing in their approach to stabilize the challenge of providing adequate education to all students, regardless of where they are located. Superintendent Dr. Darryl Hogue expressed his plan to define the school’s expectations for students, parents, and families, when attendance is interrupted. He noted the importance for the District to keep moving forward with plans to aid those needing assistance.
Dr. Hogue reported the attendance as “steady,” noting the difficulty of comparing attendance numbers with past history, with over 100 families currently choosing remote learning options.
Hogue’s report offered financing options and alternatives for the new boiler/cooling system. He has considerations for maximizing the transportation budget, by purchasing buses to compliment the leasing contracts currently in place.
The Board unanimously approved the following actions:
a) approve the Tax Levy representing 9.91% increase
b) approve Phase VI CTS projects, which includes planning the upgrade of the Fulton High School boiler
c) determination a date to perform the Performance Evaluation of Superintendent Hogue
d) accepted gifts to the District from CF Industries ($1100) for teacher requests, and an IPRF Safety and Education Grant in the amount of $1036.
The meeting closed with hopes for a prosperous 2021 for all.