The Oregon-Davis School Board considered a recommendation for Jump Start staffing when members met last Monday.
Superintendent Dr. Don Harman explained what that program entails.
He stated, “Jump Start is 2-weeks of summer school, if you will, and the philosophy is that it’s more of a jump start. We want to get those kids to learn more soft skills such as being organized.”
He went on to share which individuals would be hired for the program.
Harmon noted, “In the recommendation, we included four teachers and also an aid; Miss Kris Hinds, Heather Quinn, Mrs. Rhonda Cavendar who’s here as a new teacher and then Mr. Jerry Miller who’s here as a new teacher and then Deborah Winger as the Para[professional].”
Dr. Harman added that there is a Jump Start specifically for younger students as well.
He told members, “Also in the recommendation, we do have a kindergarten Jump Start and Mrs. [Elizabeth] Cooper and Mrs. [Dawn] Lawrence are teachers to be recommended and Mrs. Kayla Skaggs is our pre-school teacher.”
He noted that particular branch of Jump Start is funded through a grant through the Hardesty Family’s fund with the Northern Indiana Community Foundation.
Dr. Harman mentioned that a proposed pay increase was also included. With the increase, Jump Start teachers would receive an hourly rate of $50 and the Para pay would be $20 per hour.
When it came time to make a decision, Board member Kyle Hinds abstained from voting since his mother was one of the recommended teachers. The motion to accept the recommendations as presented was then passed with no opposition.
