Board receives training

By Staff, 12/17/21 9:41 AM

ROSSTON – Jason Holsclaw was in Rosston to provide training for the Nevada School Board at its regular December meeting Thursday night.

However, the training was provided after the district’s business had been taken care of. The main thing done by the board was agreeing the district could pick up the increased insurance costs for ll employees. This amounts to $28.86 per employee per month. Superintendent Roy McCoy said this is something the district has always done to help the staff.

He informed the board the 2022-23 school year can’t start until Aug. 22, which will be a week later than this year, adding a new calendar will be presented to the panel at its January meeting.

Principal Tonda Pennington said NHS was awarded accreditation for its CTE program, and will add two cybersecuity, and if approved, an animal science program.

Testing is done for Nevada Elementary School, with improvements shown in all areas.

In recent months, questions had been raised about offering driver’s education. McCoy said it is feasible for the 23-24 school year as the instructor must take two required coursesĀ  in sequence. However, he added, if the district can get an ALP, the course could be taught next year. At this time, though, only the University of Central Arkansas is offering the courses needed to teach driver’s ed.

He said the district has an opportunity to get a driving simulator, and while it’s not like driving in real life, it will give students the chance to get used to being behind the wheel.

The district is working on a deal with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana to provide up to 18 college hours at the Nevada campus. The district currently has students attending classes both at Nevada and Hope. Once this is done, juniors and seniors can also take college classes during the summer.

McCoy informed the board students can earn one elective credit for providing 75 hours of community service. This, he said, looks good on college applications and helps the district’s performance score.

A board to board transfer was discussed and denied.

The Nevada board will next meet on Jan. 27, 2022.