Poplar Bluff Boys and Girls Club Director Chris Rushin delivered a report to the Poplar Bluff R-1 school board Thursday evening detailing plans to expand after-school activities for district students.
“Our goal is to bridge the gaps that can exist for some students,” Rushin said.
The district plans to apply federal ESSER funds for COVID-19 relief for the expansion of services.
Rushin said the plan is to expand after-school programs to an estimated additional 225 students over the whole district.
The district’s funds will be augmented by a number of grants the Boys and Girls Club already receives.
Any district student eligible for free or reduced lunches is also eligible for a full scholarship for club services at no fee to the student’s family.
Some of the programs offered include help with homework, individual tutoring, literacy skills improvement, physical education activities and substance use prevention.
Rushin said the programs are designed to improve attendance and academic performance while reducing potential discipline programs.
Several board members praised the ongoing productive relationship between the district and the Boys and Girls Club.
“I sincerely appreciate the partnership we have with the school,” Rushin said.
Also present at the meeting was Food Service Director Dixie Harden, whose report included a plan to apply for a $35,000 grant to refurbish the greenhouse at the middle school.
The intent is to integrate greenhouse operations into the curriculum in order to grow produce that middle school students would be able to eat as part of their meals.
Steve Massey from the Booster Club also reported on activities for the previous school year, including the purchase of a new $12,000 wrestling mat and disbursement of awards for the Moss Family Scholarship.
The Booster Club’s upcoming plans include a golf tournament fundraiser in October, along with expanded concession revenue, with plans to purchase a new scoreboard and expand stadium facilities on the visitor’s side of the field.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill reported that although COVID cases in the district are higher at this point than they were at the same time last year, the numbers are beginning to trend downward.
In a related matter, Dill asked the board to allow him to explore creating a specific COVID-related leave policy.
He expressed concern that for some younger teachers who hadn’t yet amassed substantial leave time, a COVID illness or quarantine could put them in a bind. He plans to bring a proposal to the board in October.
Dill said he is exploring some new technology to help inform parents and staff where specific buses are located, and which students are riding on those buses. One of these options might include an app parents could use to see where their children are on the bus route.
“We can facilitate a better experience for our parents and a safer experience for our kids,” Dill said.
He also informed the board that he is investigating contracting out the management of substitute teachers to a third-party company which would provide additional training, make substitute assignments where needed, track hours worked, and possibly provide weekly pay and other benefits the district cannot offer.
Finally, Dill asked the board to be prepared to discuss in October whether to move forward with initial plans for a swimming and diving center to be located on the high school campus.
Due to the number of proposals brought forward by Dill, the board voted to approve the presentation of these items collectively in the superintendent’s report.