Student board member says district will hire 19 staff; Fresh Start budget and in-school driver’s ed approved

At the March 16 meeting of Lockport Twp HSD 205, student board member Ryan Gleason reported that the board recognized more than 150 students and approved several administrative measures, including budgeting for the Fresh Start program, in-school driver’s education and plans to hire 19 new staff to support a shift to an eight-period day.

Gleason said the recognitions included Eagle Scouts, finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program and participants in the Pre-ACT Rising Stars Program, and that "there was over a 150 students and the cafeteria was packed with parents." He said he and a colleague, James, presented the advisory council report covering the proposed eight-period day, field trips and a youth mental health first-aid training program.

On staffing, Gleason said, "with the coming eight-period day, 19 new staff members are gonna be hired," and that the district will include students on interview panels to "make sure that student voice is important to those that we hire at the school." The transcript does not include vote tallies, mover/second details or dollar amounts for the hires or positions.

Gleason reported that the Fresh Start program had its budgeting approved; he characterized the program as one that lets incoming freshmen "get a chance to make new friends before they even get to high school." He also said the board approved in-school driver’s education so students would not have to do behind-the-wheel driving after school. The record provided does not specify funding amounts or formal vote counts for these approvals.

Gleason closed by noting March Madness activities at both campuses and reminding listeners of another board meeting in April and an upcoming prom. "And as always, go porters," he said.