Hope Schools “Report to the Public”

The Hope School Board met in the High School Auditorium on Monday (10-16).  First was the annual “report to the public” in which  Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley went over the mission statement and said students should be open to new experiences and learning should be fun as well as other important principles.

Dr. Crossley demonstrated the way the school is governed and talked about a $6.2 million magnet grant for cradle to college/career. He said there is a gap from birth to 3 or 4 years old that the district is working to address.

Dr. Crossley also talked about STEAM at Yerger and taking EAST down to third grade. He also hopes to revitalize the High School program and add some more musical choices.   Dr. Crossley wants the district to do more with drama and broadcasting. In high school, the funding for these programs runs out and the staff is working to rectify that.

Dr. Crossley talked about the district being lucky that everyone qualifies for a free lunch and a free breakfast.

For the Facilities Master Plan, the agri building is a big problem. The state will give $400,000 and a private donor has pledged $650,000 which is kind of unprecedented in this community.

The Yerger Gym is a disgrace according to Dr. Crossley and the Board is committed to doing something to fix it. The state will provide 71% and the school has money set aside that will cover the rest.

Old Main on the high school campus also needs work with ventilation. HAPS is in another old building that needs work.

Enrollment for the district is down at 2100.

Cameras are being funded in every building.

A few students are working while going to school and Dr. Crossley wants to enable more to be able to do so.

For the 7th grade, a grant equaling $1500 per student through the second year of college has has been approved.

The School District is working to make sure the reading skills are up to par.

Work is being done to get out the word as to what the district is doing.

With the Universal Design for Learning the aim is to find the flaw in the lesson plan and not the student.