Patrick County School Board approves submission of improvement plans, grant application for two schools

Patrick County School Board members on Feb. 19 approved submitting school improvement plans and a grant application intended to fund tutoring, digital intervention programs and professional development for two schools identified for targeted support.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the board the plans cover Hart Reynolds Memorial School and Patrick Springs Primary School, which were grouped together because they serve the same community and have been labeled for "targeted support and improvement" based on subgroup data for reading and math among students with disabilities. "The things that we're asking for are tutors to specifically go in during the day, looking at retired teachers to come in during the day and tutor students one on one or a very small group of students," the superintendent said during her report and presentation to the board.

The district outlined interventions the grant would pay for, including one‑on‑one or small‑group tutors, tier‑2 and tier‑3 supports using Lexia and IXL, a "One School, One Book" reading initiative for Patrick Springs, and professional development for staff in literacy and math. The superintendent said the district was required to complete the grant application as part of its oversight responsibilities, but said requesting funds was optional: "We were not required to ask for funds. However, we are asking for funds because if the funds are available, we would like to access those funds." She told the board the application requests $20,700 for each school to cover the listed supports.

There is an inconsistency in the materials noted in the meeting record: the superintendent stated $20,700 per school (which would total $41,400), while the packet as read at the meeting included a total listed as $41,509.69. The board did not amend the dollar amounts during the meeting; the superintendent said the division will monitor expenditures and seek reimbursement if funds are awarded.

Board members asked whether the requested services would duplicate existing purchases. The superintendent said Lexia had previously been funded through another source and would need ongoing funding if continued; the grant would enable continued access to those programs and support coordination of interventions across the two schools.

Chair (name not specified) then asked for a motion to approve the updated plans and the grant application. A motion was made and seconded; members voted by voice ('Aye') and the motion carried. The superintendent said the district would submit the application in the next few days if board approval was confirmed.

The action taken was limited to approving the submission of plans and the grant application. The board later moved to a closed session to discuss personnel and insurance proposals. The board did not vote on any budget allocations during the open session.