The coming summer is close at hand. It is even closer when the late date for the end of the school year is May 31. But it’s never too early to get prepared. Summer school is 4 weeks and runs 4 mornings per week. The program is geared for grades k-12 with the focus for grades 9-12 being credit recovery. The lower grades get help to minimize learning loss during the summer months. Programs of focus for the lower grades are on literacy and math. Credit recovery helps high school students obtain credits they might be lacking to graduate as scheduled. Most classes will be held in Primghar.
Mr. Riley discussed the budget guarantee for the coming year in South O’Brien. The district lost its budget guarantee from the state due to increased enrollment. Savings from possible early retirement of classified staff was a piece of the discussion. The board approved offering early retirements.
An available workforce is a problem for every industry. South O’Brien is using funds from the Teacher Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA) grant. This is a state of Iowa. Currently 4 South O’Brien paras are participating in the program and earning their licensure through Buena Vista University.