Westville hopes to continue Project Success

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March 18, 2009

BY APRIL EVANS The Commercial-News Wed Mar 18, 2009, 09:54 PM CDT

WESTVILLE — Westville School Board members heard Wednesday about the future of Project Success, a 21st Century Program in the district.

Alice Kirby, Project Success executive director, presented the board with information about how the program has been working at Westville High School and about the grant to re-fund the program that was just applied for.

The program, which offers after-school tutoring and programs for students, is in its fifth and final year of funding. The grant that sustains the services is shared with the Georgetown-Ridge Farm School District.

Kirby said the state has earmarked $17.5 million to go toward this type of educational program funding. The grant proposal she just submitted is for $245,300 annually, to be split equally between Georgetown-Ridge Farm and Westville.

Under the new grant application, Kirby proposed a new position in Westville, that of school curriculum liaison. Input for the new grant was received from principals, superintendents, staff and parents.

It will not be known until May if the grant application is awarded. If successful, the grant money will provide Project Success services to the two districts for up to another five years, depending on continued success.

Success has been seen at Westville High School with two students now being expected to graduate who might not have otherwise done so without the programming, specifically the credit recovery courses offered after school.

“I’ve been thrilled at what we’re seeing,” Superintendent Jim Owens said.

In other business, board members:

— Approved the honorable dismissal of certified teachers Andrea Stack, Donald Farber, Bricey Machin and Cathy Ellis at the end of this school year.

Also, the board approved the reduction-in-force of teacher’s aides Heather Ledesma, Trisha Brandt, Bethany Long and Lisa Barney.

Those aides who were reduced-in-force may be recalled next year if student enrollment determines the need.

— Hired special education teacher Jamie Jennings and high school janitor Coy Ragle.

— Accepted the resignation of Stephanie Ellison, a Westville Junior High science teacher.

— Heard a presentation from Lisa Coburn, district technology director, about the progress and success of new and existing technology in the district.

Coburn detailed how the Measures of Academic Progress testing is working for students and teachers. She also mentioned new advances planned like pod casting at Judith Giacoma Elementary School and a new district Web site that’s in the works.

— Heard the district received a state library grant for about $900. The money will be used to purchase books.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Westville School Board changed its next meeting to 6:30 p.m. April 29. It will include the reorganization of the new board.

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