Mountain Home School Board approves calendar change

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     The Mountain Home School Board Thursday night approved a change to the 2017-2018 calendar which allows high school students to independently schedule registration. According to Personnel Policy Committee Chair Becca Camp, in the past all teachers would come to work on a day in May when the students were out of school. They would have in-service meetings, with the exception of the high school, then all schools would have registration for their students.

     Mountain Home Public Schools, due to charter status, has more flexibility which allows the school system to apply for waivers for a more accommodating schedule. For 2017-2018 high school students will come to the high school by appointment for registration day, while all other students will be in school. The result will add another student day instead of taking one away.

     In other school board news the board approved revisions to the homeless student policy, presented by Dr. Dana Brown, to reflect changes in state and federal laws as indicated in the Every Student Succeeds Act signed into law by President Obama on December tenth, 2015.

     The revisions expand on the responsibilities of a staff member, appointed by Superintendent Dr. Jake Long, to be the local educational liaison for homeless children and youth in the area. They also open up a wider range of policies designed to address and follow up with the educational needs of homeless youth and their families, while protecting their anonymity.

     The board also approved Federal Program Director Leah Cotter’s newly revised English to Speakers of Other Languages Program Handbook. The handbook reflects new policies and procedures and has a more user friendly format when accessed online.

     Board member Neal Pendergrass applauded both the work of Brown and Cotter saying, although the revisions presented only take a short time to for the board to pass, the work involved is extensive and recognition is deserved.

     The final approval of the evening recommended committee members for a required District Curriculum Committee. According to Dr. Leigh Anne Giliotti, members participate in discussions concerning issues related to the type of resources that should be adopted. This year the cycle for adoption includes English Language Arts. The committee will be primarily made up of certified personnel including classroom teachers.

     In final statements made by Dr. Long, he says he will be keeping an eye on several bills at the state legislature. Two bills in particular are on his radar. We’ll have more on that story in a future newscast of KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot.




    

     

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