Clover presenter outlines Impact Academy rebrand and reports better virtual pass rates after hurricane recovery

Shelton Kimball, introduced by Dr. Glynn, told the Clover School Board the district has rebranded its alternative program as the Impact Academy to emphasize six habits — integrity, motivation, participation, attitude, contribution and time management — and to make the program more outcomes-driven.

Kimball said the academy is using daily behavior point cards, a uniform‑related incentive system and mandatory orientations for referred students. "We felt like those were some of the things that our students struggle with," she said, adding the program is pairing short‑term goals with more frequent check‑ins for students with repeated infractions.

The presenter also described the Clover Virtual Academy (CVA). Kimball said CVA’s pass rate was 67% as of Oct. 4 — a figure she tied to hurricane-related Internet and power outages — and that after outreach during intercession the district’s internal figure improved to 83% "as of today." She identified 10 students failing more than two classes who are receiving weekly face‑to‑face or WebEx support and attendance‑intervention plans. "Those are the students that we really need to spend this next nine weeks saying, is this the right fit for you?" she said.

Board members pressed Kimball on grade‑level variation in outcomes. Kimball said a recent breakdown showed ninth graders were passing a far lower share of credits (about 35% in a snapshot she reported), while tenth graders were passing at higher rates. "So I think we really do have to be thoughtful about the students that are coming into CBA and making sure that they're truly aware of those kind of internal behaviors that they're gonna have to focus on to be successful in this kind of program," she said.

On access, board members asked whether students who lack reliable home Internet are screened out of CVA. Kimball said Internet reliability is part of screening but that the district treats connectivity on a case‑by‑case basis and will consider partnerships if the board prioritizes them. Board members and meeting participants discussed past state‑funded hotspot programs and local partners; staff said ESSER-funded hotspot distributions ended when the funding expired and that districts found some hotspots were used for non‑school purposes.

Kimball described next steps including academic and attendance contracts for CVA students, a planned CVA lounge space for in‑person tutoring, MTSS academic interventions and targeted guidance referrals. She said staff follow‑up will include transition visits to students’ home campuses after they return from the alternative program. "We're gonna come see you," she said to students returning to main campus, "don't come back and visit me."

The board received the presentation and asked staff to bring additional detail where needed; no formal action was taken during the work session. The presentation concluded with a staff report of quarter‑1 pass rates for other programs and the chair moving to the next agenda item.