During the Garrard County School Board meeting on November 21, 2024, significant updates were shared regarding the GEAR UP program and the district's needs assessment process.

The GEAR UP program, aimed at enhancing student opportunities, reported impressive achievements over the past year. Notably, 199 students participated in college visits, while 170 engaged in job site visits and 183 benefited from job shadowing experiences. The program also provided essential academic support, assisting 361 students with English tutoring, 333 with math, and 242 with science. Additionally, 382 students attended STEM workshops, and 182 out of 191 seniors successfully completed their college applications, marking a 95% completion rate. This year, the program has already helped 180 out of 201 seniors with their college applications and 169 students prepare for FAFSA completion.

In addition to the GEAR UP updates, the board discussed the annual needs assessment, which is due by December 1. This year, a comprehensive listening tour was conducted, gathering feedback from teachers across the district. Insights from teacher leaders and principals were compiled to identify key priorities for the upcoming budget discussions in January. While no immediate action was required from the board, the emphasis on gathering extensive feedback aims to create a more targeted approach to addressing the district's needs.

The meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and addressing infrastructure needs, setting the stage for future discussions on budget priorities and resource allocation.