In his first official action as a member of the State Board of Education, 8th District representative Eddy Justice visited the students and staff at Shady Grove State School Wednesday morning.
Shady Grove is a Missouri school for the severely disabled. Located near O'Neal Elementary, it opened in 1980 and serves disabled students from multiple school districts.
Six buses travel to locations as far away as Piedmont, Mo., to ensure students, ages 5-18, daily access to the facility. Funding is provided by the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education, but due to its status as a state-operated school, Shady Grove receives no local funding.
Justice said he felt Shady Grove was a "great place" to begin his school tour of the 8th District.
"The tour of Shady Grove State School had a profound effect on me, not only as a board member but as a person," Justice said. "These young people are amazing and are full of love for everyone they meet."
Justice was led through the building by Principal Melba Board. He met with students and teachers and received insight as to the inner workings of a state operated school district. He also received several hugs and handshakes from the students, who seemed genuinely excited for the opportunity to meet someone new.
Justice openly asked Board questions regarding Shady Grove's financial needs, processes that are or are not working and what he can do to be of service to her, the students and everyone else involved with Shady Grove.
Board said daily operations are smooth and financially she has enough money for what the school needs. However, she expressed concern about opportunities for students after graduation and mentioned a new fundraising initiative by the PTO to provide sensory tools for the students. She also hopes to raise enough money to fund a field trip for the kids, which she said they've never been able to do.
"We have never been able to take our kids on a field trip, so we're hoping to raise enough money to accomplish that,"she said.
Board explained there are five classes at Shady Grove and students are grouped by age, rather than by ability. Many of the children are wheelchair bound or have other needs, making daily living a struggle. However, Board said, it is very important to her Shady Grove be considered a school, just like the Poplar Bluff R-1 and others.
"We have a strong belief system that students can achieve and they can learn. So whatever skills they need, we are going to be there for them," she continued.
Justice said his experience at Shady Grove was not what he anticipated, as he had never been to a state school prior to yesterday's visit. He said he was impressed with the faculty, staff, students and especially with the administration.
"Shady Grove State School is fortunate to have a Building Administrator like Melba Board that cares so much for these young people and has decades of experience in special education," Justice said. "I am proud to advocate for them and the talented staff that works with them."
Anyone interested in contributing to the Shady Grove PTO fund raising efforts can visit the Shady Grove State School PTO Facebook page or call 573-840-9592.