The Poplar Bluff R-I school board approved a proposed expansion of the Project Lead The Way Program that includes three new career paths for high school students.
Senior High School Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy presented the new programs, Computer Science, Engineering, and Biomedical, which will begin in the 2024-25 school year.
“The goal will be to build three solid career paths for students to take during their high school career,” Ivy said during a school board meeting Feb. 15.
“We will collaborate with (the technical career center) to begin students on these paths so we can grow their student participation.”
The expansion also includes Algebra 1 Advantage, which is a supplemental curriculum in its pilot year.
Work continues to advance on the new Culinary Arts Center at the Poplar Bluff Technical and Career Center. The board approved the latest payment of $204,661.14 to Zoellner Construction for their work on the new facility.
The board also approved a change order on the project of $19,588 for the addition of a washer and dryer, the repair of a wall that was removed during construction, and the installation of a stainless-steel wall behind the kitchen appliances.
The Contract Paper Group of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was awarded the copy paper vendor contract for their low bid of $25,351.20. Other bids received came from: Southwest School Supply of Ontario, California $25,561.20; Veriitiv Operating Company of Jacksonville, Florida $25,813.20; Southeast Signs and Graphics of Poplar Bluff,($27,174; and Mills Iron Supply of Poplar Bluff, $29,979.60.
Summer school will take place this year from May 30 to June 27, as authorized by the board on the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent Patty Robertson, who also noted the participating schools will be the kindergarten center, Eugene Field, O’Neal Elementary (for O’Neal and Oak Grove students), and the middle school, junior high and high school.
The board approved a policy change that will enable pre-K through sixth grades to report student grades in trimesters, which should enable teachers to give parents a more accurate assessment of the students’ progress than quarter system, district officials said.
Grades seven through 12 will retain quarter grades as they are used now.
The board approved the addition of a separate salary schedule column for school counselors employed by the district. The pay scale is anticipated to add $174,000 to the FY25 budget. The district is in need of additional counselors in most school locations.
Upcoming on the school calendar is spring break, which will take place March 11-15. All schools will be closed during this time.
The next Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. March 21.