Paving the way for future improvements and opportunities saturated the September agenda of the Crestview Local School District’s Board of Education Meeting Monday night.
A representative updated the board on the progress of World, a program through which Crestview students in grades six through eight are issued Chromebook laptops for use at school and at home. Teachers have expressed their satisfaction with the program citing the ability to accomplish new capabilities in the classroom that were previously unachievable and teachers are going above and beyond to take advantage of the opportunities available for all students in the program, including those who lack internet access at home.
Parents are asked to complete certain prerequisites before students are allowed to take the devices home, and it was identified that in a set of recently-conducted parent meetings, 75 percent of parents have done so. As the program progresses, the district hopes to discern the reasoning of parents who have opted not to complete the requirements and continue making positive advancements through parent partnership for student success.
Upon examination of the district report card superintendent Scott Will encouraged the district to continue pushing for higher standards even in the face of continued progress and improvement.
Crestview ranked above the state average in both its 4-year and 5-year graduation rates with 91.9 percent and 92.6 percent respectively, but Will emphasized the need for continued work and improvement.
“It only takes a few of our students not graduating to affect that score,” he said. “We’re working tirelessly to make sure we continue to offer the level of education that we’ve been doing for such a long time.”
Board members agreed to further discuss the approval of the Athletic Boosters’ proposal to expand the school’s weight room by building an addition onto the existing band room at a later date. “We’ve got a lot of folks, athletic teams, gym classes, conditioning, sharing that space,” a Booster’s club representative said. “It’s small and they can only get 20 kids in there at a time, but 20 kids down there is a lot when you’re slinging around heavy weights and it could be a dangerous situation.”
Board members expressed appreciation for the boosters’ effort on the project; and while they support the project’s mission, further discussion of funding particulars is necessary before any approval can be given.
The board will fund the purchase of a new Clavinova piano to replace the music department’s current model that is both outdated and in need of repairs. The high school band will also have its trailer wrapped in a decal to reflect school identity and pride.
Additionally, the board approved a motion to raise the hourly rate for substitute bus drivers on regular daytime routes to $14.31 per hour.
A community day fundraising event will take place October 12; proceeds will benefit the Athletic Boosters.
