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Board hears warning that Energy Express site could be moved after attendance drop; media day and regional spelling bee planned
Summary
Board members heard that an Energy Express after-school site at Valley began with about 42 children but attendance dropped to ~12, prompting officials to consider relocating the program; the board also discussed expansion of 4-H leadership groups, a regional spelling bee, and a proposed athletics media day to promote student activities.
Board members were told an after-school Energy Express site at Valley saw steep attrition this season and may be moved if attendance does not recover.
"They said we probably have to beg again to get it next year," Mr. Groom said after meeting with Western Extension staff, describing an Energy Express site that started with about 42 children and ended with roughly 12 attending regularly. He recommended outreach to parents and offered to attend parent-involvement nights to encourage participation. "If the people in Valley are not gonna come like they should, then maybe we need to move," he said, naming Oak Hill and Fayetteville as possible alternate locations.
The board also heard that 4-H has begun leadership groups at several sites and plans a Valley group; Mr. Groom said the initiative is new and the county will "see how it works as far as our students in these leadership groups." ESC representatives reported a recommended regional spelling bee to take place in February at Tamarack, and discussed a media-day concept to highlight winter sports, starting with wrestling and basketball to promote student athletes and seek local sponsorship.
ESC finance reports were summarized as positive: representatives said the ESC and its 12-county programs achieved financial gains last year, and staff expect similar profit-sharing results this year, allowing continued program support.
Board members expressed interest in promoting positive coverage of students and small, incremental steps for new initiatives; no formal votes or funding allocations were recorded for program relocations or media-day sponsorships during the discussion.
