Neelyville Schools seeing additional funding, resources

While COVID-19 is impacting the Neelyville R-IV school district, it’s mostly bringing in funding options and additional resources.

Superintendent Debra Parish said one student has tested positive since the school year began and a few have quarantined because of a positive family member.

“His symptoms started on a Sunday night at 8 o’clock,” she said. “So, you go back to 48 hours that would be Friday night at 8 o’clock, so we did not have to do any contact tracing.”

Parish called these numbers a blessing compared to what other districts around the state are dealing with.

The district elected to postpone the annual Veterans Day program, where the school invites veterans to come in and students sing songs, make art and write poems about patriotism and veterans.

Parish said the program will be held in April instead, and the district is planning a way to recognize veterans at the annual Tigerfest on Oct. 17 since it’s held outside.

Anybody serving food at Tigerfest will wear masks and gloves.

Masks also are strongly encouraged for those in attendance.

Booths and will be spread out as much as possible, Parish said.

CARES grants

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the district has access to more than $20,700 between three different grants.

The Student Access Grant allots $12,000 for improving Wi-Fi connections and hotspots for students, Parish said.

The Student Connectivity Grant allocates $18,946 toward new devices.

Parish said the district purchased 205 Chromebooks the grant will be applied to.

The transportation supplement accounts for $8,741.

Parish said the district is looking into more handheld radios to assist with directing students as they’re picked up and additional bus cameras.

Additionally, the district received a COVID supplies grant, which covers 25% of supplies, such as cleaners.

Parish said anything the district uses that for, she’d ask for CARES money from the county to cover the rest.

The district also is waiting to hear back on phase two of requests for county CARES funding.

Free meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved an extension to the summer meal programs schools put on.

Under this, students with the Neelyville district will receive free breakfast and lunch at least through December.

Parish said she’s hopeful it will be extended again for the rest of the school year.

“It’s been a real blessing for our families,” she said.

Virtual students

The district has 24 virtual students, Parish said, which will cost the district approximately $31,000 for the semester.

For high school students, the district is using the Launch program, which is run through Springfield Public Schools.

At the elementary level, students are using the Greenways Academy.

In selecting programs, Parish said, multiple people with the district reviewed the options and took part in webinars.

“Based on the service that seemed to be offered to our students, we chose those,” she said.