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Board keeps SPLASH dual‑language program at South End, combines grades to sustain enrollment; staff to explore new site
Summary
Following a presentation on enrollment trends, the board voted to continue the SPLASH dual‑language program at South End Elementary with a combined grade configuration for next year and asked staff to explore establishing a new SPLASH site (Monroton or other Reedsville‑area schools) and to report back.
The Rockingham County Board of Education on Jan. 13 voted to continue the SPLASH dual‑language immersion program at South End Elementary next year with a configuration designed to sustain enrollment and preserve a pathway for students currently enrolled.
Lisa Miller, K–12 instructional coordinator, summarized how the district’s SPLASH program works (full Spanish immersion in kindergarten and first grade, one hour of English language arts beginning in second grade, and a middle-school sequence that can lead to Spanish 2 credit). She presented enrollment data showing declining new enrollments at South End and steady demand at Bethany and Stoneville.
Miller said South End’s current first-grade cohort of 16 could continue as a rising second-grade class; the district proposed combining the current second- and third-grade students into a 3–4 combo to preserve instructional staffing. “When you look at the numbers, it really makes sense that we have to make…a decision,” Miller said, noting fiscal constraints and the program’s staffing implications.
Board members raised options to begin a new SPLASH site in the Reedsville zone (Monroton Elementary or other nearby schools) to maintain districtwide access. Dr. Perkins said staff had visited Monroton and determined the site likely has the space to host a SPLASH classroom and recommended further exploration.
Philip Butler moved that the board keep SPLASH at South End with the proposed combined grades (first → second; current second/third combined as a 3–4 class), and to allow two rising fifth‑grade students to transfer to Bethany or Stoneville or remain at South End subject to program logistics. Daniel Raikes seconded the motion. The board voted in favor; no opposition was recorded on the audio.
Board members directed staff to promote the program, to monitor registrations, and to return at the work session with any additional recommendations about siting a new SPLASH classroom in the Reedsville area. District staff noted the difficulty of forecasting kindergarten enrollments in December and that recruiting and registration timelines will affect feasibility for any new site.
