Bobby Lester Elementary reported reductions in student behavior referrals, rising reading-level metrics and new grant funding during a presentation to the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Board.

Principal Dr. Yao said the school's disciplinary referrals have fallen compared with 2023-24. At this point, we were sitting around 250 referrals, Dr. Yao told the board, noting the current total was just under a hundred. He listed specific decreases: 51 total less incidents, 59 fewer behavior referrals for fighting and 50 fewer referrals in disorderly conduct and a hundred and 3 fewer total classroom referrals.

Nut graf: The principal attributed the improvement in part to instructional and culture changes, including a Lexia reading push and classroom strategies aligned with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination).

Dr. Yao described classroom walkthrough data used to track instructional strategies such as whiteboard use, choral responses, station work and small-group instruction; he said the school's Lexia outcomes had shifted from a start point where 66% of students were below grade level to improved in-grade and above-grade percentages, and that the school is running an ongoing Lexia challenge to spur student engagement.

Funding and programs

Dr. Yao told the board the school received a $2,500 school grant that will be used for a military-family event (commercial bouncers and a hot-dog meal were cited), and an $11,500 PEER award tied to academic growth on the ATLAS exam. He also described a Backpack Literacy program that began recently for second graders, where students take home books in a backpack and continue to receive additional books.

Board questions and next steps

Board members asked about the Backpack Literacy program and logistics for the military-family event; Dr. Yao said the program began last month and confirmed the funds will support the planned activities. He also said the school continues promoting Lexia and other instructional strategies to maintain gains.

The presentation concluded with applause from the board and no formal action requested.