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ATWOOD (February 6) — Five student group trips were approved along with the 2020-2021 school calendar during the February 6 meeting of the West Carroll School Board meeting. One thing that was not approved was a new sports program: high school girls volleyball. The board asked for additional details before moving forward with more sports programs. The startup costs could be $6,500 to $10,000 with ongoing expenses for travel, uniforms, and coaches.
Regina Alred presented the facts of a state change in English Language Arts that focuses more on phonics. The physical resources to implement the program could cost $170,000 to $200,000 for a school-wide rollout. It is a statewide initiative. The implementation will be have significant positive effect on student development, according to school officials. WCHS teacher Adam Douglas has implemented the program at WCHS with high success. Douglas spoke about his students’ success.
The 2020-21 calendar was approved. It includes beginning and ending dates and holidays and is a collaboration of all five special school districts because of the common transportation and high school technology center. Board member Kyle Foster said he did not like the calendar. He and Patrick Lindsey voted against the calendar.
Technology coordinator Sheila Brawner requested the purchase of Chromebook laptop computers for next year’s sixth graders. The computers will remain at the school and not taken home. The school can purchase or lease the computers, which are usually on a replacement cycle of three to four years. Brawner’s request was for the school board to consider the purchase over the summer for next school year’s use.
At the onset of the meeting, the board accepted the nomination of Chairman Will Robinson to appoint Atwood resident Andy Morton to fill a vacancy on the board. Morton, 35, is a 2004 graduate of Dresden High School. He and wife, Lindsay, have two children, Chandler, 11, and Chloe, 8. Lindsay works at West Carroll Primary School. Morton will serve until the August election.