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Division presents Challenge program progress; teachers and parents urge more staffing
Summary
Rockingham County staff reported 1,400 students served by the Challenge (gifted) program and described screening, enrichment and middle-school clustering; teachers and parents urged additional staff and resources ahead of budget season.
Tammy Stone and a team of Challenge teachers presented the division’s update on gifted and advanced-learner services, saying about 1,400 students are served by roughly 8.5 elementary and four secondary challenge teachers. Stone described second-grade universal screening, pull-out enrichment time, cluster grouping in middle schools, and efforts to expand field experiences and STEM opportunities.
Stone said staffing is the primary limiting factor: several board members and parents asked whether the division could sustain and expand services given the current number of challenge teachers. "We serve almost 700 secondary students with four teachers," Stone said, and asked the board to consider additional positions and budget priorities to build the program.
Challenge teachers present described hands-on math and language-arts enrichment and cited positive parent feedback, including requests for expanded services. The board agreed to schedule a work session with staff and parents before budget planning so the division can present staffing proposals in time for the next budget cycle.
Board members acknowledged the program’s value and encouraged a proposal that would indicate specific staffing needs, resource gaps and possible funding strategies.
