Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brewon School sets higher academic targets and flags funding shortfalls after Step Seven money was not received
Summary
Brewon School leaders presented goals to raise math and ELA growth targets to 80% and keep attendance at 95%, while faculty and boosters warned the school lost Step Seven funds and ASSE after‑school support, leaving gaps often filled by booster fundraising.
Brewon School leaders told the Preston County Board of Education they have raised academic goals for the year and described programmatic and facility needs, while faculty and parent groups pressed the district for clarity about missing funds.
School presenters said the building's goals include raising the percentage of students meeting typical growth in math and ELA to 80% (up from a previous 70% target in earlier years), achieving a 95% daily attendance rate and holding chronic absenteeism below 10%. Speakers described positive trends — including recent gains in proficiency — and cited student engagement measures used in classroom walkthroughs.
At the same time, multiple speakers warned of funding shortfalls. Rebecca Stump, faculty senate president, told the board Brewon did not receive Step Seven money this year — historically used for textbooks, supplies and program costs — and asked why funds that had been provided previously were not available now. "We did not get our step seven money this year and we were told it's because the levy is not active," she said, asking for clarification of prior allocations.
Susan Ringer, president of the Brew Academic Boosters, said boosters were being asked to buy supplies that historically had been covered by district allowances. "I don't believe that it is the job of the Brew Academic Boosters to buy highlighters and toner for the school," she said, and requested formal guidance from the district on how non–Title I schools should provide materials.
District staff also described programmatic impacts: Brewon lost ASSE after‑school programming because it is not a Title I school, which presenters said reduced after‑school enrichment and supervision that other schools receive and increased reliance on local fundraising. School leaders said they are pursuing volunteer simplifications, addressing facility issues (gym roof leaks, HVAC shortcomings and window blinds) and experimenting with a middle‑school credit recovery model to reduce course failures.
Danny Kelly also told the board the district secured a competitive nights‑academy grant for several schools of roughly $197,321.32 per year for five years to fund expanded after‑school programming, though start dates may shift depending on state timelines.
Why it matters: Brewon's academic targets are ambitious, but staff and parent groups warned resource gaps threaten equitable opportunity and extracurricular access. Clarification of Step Seven allocations and decisions about district support could change program availability.
What happens next: The board agreed to place funding clarification on a future agenda, the superintendent indicated staff will investigate Step Seven accounting and the board requested follow‑up on bus cancellations, pre‑K support and nurse staffing mentioned during the presentation.
