Friday, July 15, 2005

Summer school experiment a success, says administrator, by Matt Heger, Staff Writer, Saline County, MO.

Summer school's out in Sweet Springs and Elementary Principal Donna Wright reported the new program run by private company Newton Learning was a success.
"I think it ended up being a positive experience for the kids and a positive experience for the school," Wright told the Sweet Springs R-7 Board of Education Thursday.

A total of 196 students participated in the program, with 153 students achieving perfect attendence and receiving a $100 gift card incentive.

Exit surveys conducted of parents showed strong satisfaction with the program, with the vast majority of parents -- between 80 and 90 percent in most categories -- approving of the program.

In other good news for young learners, Superintendent Boyd Jones reported that the school received a $40,000 grand to help run its preschool program. Jones said he had known the school was getting some grant money but was pleasantly surprised with the amount.

Jones said a more typical amount for the program was around $30,000.

Under Jone's recommendation, the board approved preschool tuition rates for next school year with no raise over last year. Tuition will again run $110 per month, with a $55 reduced rate for students enrolled in the full year. A free tuition program exists for families meeting certain income requirements.

"I think it's a good program," Jones said. "I don't see a need to raise tuition at this time."