The Centralia City Grade School Board has received grant funding for an after-school program, but it is for a smaller amount than past years.
As a result, Superintendent Christina Becker told the school board Tuesday night the program this year will concentrate on two groups in the greatest need. It will be for select Schiller students and those in the English learners program. Transportation will be provided to the participants. Becker says she is also grateful for the faculty and staff who are sharing their time beyond the contracted school day to support the students. The program is expected to begin in December.
The board was told 148 students are participating in the Home School Connection program that helps with transportation and needed personal items for students. Most of the students are recommended for the program, while some parents are now asking for the assistance.
The board received an initial review of the district’s performance on the state school report card. There is a different criteria for classifying how a district is doing instead of flat percentage cutoffs. While more information will be available after training sessions, Becker says right now it appears at least one building, Centralia Junior High, has a subgroup that is falling short of expectations and will have additional help made available to try and bring up their scores.
Becker was extremely happy with the turnout for parent teacher conferences, with Schiller and Jordan having 100 percent participation, Central Middle School 99 percent and Centralia Junior High 92 percent. She thanked the staff for working hard to get meetings set with parents and guardians.
The board set its tentative property tax levy with an increase of 4.98-percent over this year’s tax collections, below the level requiring a truth in taxation hearing. Becker expects just over a one cent drop in the district’s tax levy.
The board approved seeking a $50,000 state maintenance grant. It will be matched with local funds to repave the bus garage parking lot.
In personnel news, the board accepted the resignation of Jordan School Nurse Trisha Niepoetter effective November 6th and Classroom Paraprofessional Stefanie Smith effective October 30th. The board approved Jeff Rogers as boys basketball volunteer.
