Sparta school board gets AVID overview
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Sparta District 140 Board of Education was presented with an overview of the Advancement via Individual Determination program Monday. AVID is a program designed to help underachieving middle and high school students prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities.
The AVID program teaches the student how to study, read for content, take notes, and manage time. Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.
Nathan Guthrie's hours were increased from three to six per day, five days per week as Math and Avid tutor for the district at $20 per hour.
Anne Bourner and Kay Hapke were employed as AVID tutors at Lincoln Middle School for one hour per day, five days per week at $10 per hour for the 2008-2009 school year.
Joyce Hayer's hours were increased from part-time to full-time as a para-professional at Lincoln and Krista Clay was recalled as a 2.5 hours per day para-professional for the district.
Megan Beelman was approved as an assistant volleyball coach at Lincoln.
The board accepted a number of resignations including Wendy Bauersachs as head coach of girls basketball at Sparta High School, with Jim Jeffers approved as a replacement. The resignation of Lindsey Stirnaman as AVID tutor at Evansville Attendance Center was accepted along with the resignation of Supervisor Sherry Bockhorn.
After the public budget hearing, the board approved the fiscal year 2009 official budget as presented.
The board approved the proposal from SHS Science Club for $500 for maintenance of the high school campus for the 2008-2009 school year.
Bids for a lawn mower for the district were rejected and the board purchased a used mower.
The board was told that roof replacement for the Fulton Gym is 95 percent complete. The gym floor has been installed but cannot be played on for another week. Work on the women's restroom in the lobby is nearing completion.
Canopies are being installed outside the lobbies. The concrete work on the North side of the gym is on hold until a decision is made regarding the concession stand.
Overnight field trips for the high school Future Business Leaders of America to New Orleans, Louisiana for the National Fall Leadership Conference and to Decatur, Illinois for the State Leadership Conference were approved.
Congratulations were extended to students completing the summer math program, who were rewarded with certificates and a pizza party.
The next board meeting will be held October 20 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School.