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Pocahontas board approves districtwide Capturing Kids Hearts training after state grant award
Summary
The Pocahontas School Board voted unanimously Dec. 16 to use a state grant and local funds to roll out Capturing Kids Hearts training for all staff, citing aims to strengthen classroom culture and student behavioral supports; the initial investment was described as roughly $140,000 with a multiyear cost near $200,000.
The Pocahontas School Board voted 5–0 on Dec. 16 to move forward with a districtwide rollout of Capturing Kids Hearts professional development after the district received a state grant earmarked for strengthening instructional quality and behavioral and mental-health supports.
Superintendent Dr. R. Buckle told the board the program would train every adult on campus — from principals and teachers to custodians and cafeteria staff — and said the district planned to supplement the grant with declining-enrollment funds and other local dollars. "My desire is to train every single adult staff member ... I think this is going to be a game changer for some of our kiddos," Buckle said. He described the initial investment as "almost $140,000" with a multi-year total "nearly $200,000." Board members discussed the cost and compared it to other PD providers; one member called it "a lot of money," while others said higher-cost trainings can produce greater returns.
The superintendent said the state grant supports the work but does not guarantee annual funding; the board approved using a mix of the one-time grant and district funds to prepay or phase payments as needed. The motion to proceed with the Capturing Kids Hearts implementation passed unanimously. The district will return to the board with implementation details and calendar adjustments for professional-development days.
