Cloverdale board approves half-day pre-K program

CLOVERDALE -- During a short meeting Monday evening, the Cloverdale School Board approved reducing Cloverdale Elementary School’s pre-kindergarten programming from a full day to a half day.

The request for the change came from Principal Mary Jane Elkins, who outlined in a letter to Superintendent Greg Linton that the new schedules would allow for smaller class sizes and more interaction with teachers and staff. She also stated that pre-K students would be more engaged during a half-day program, and that two-and-a-half hours of non-instructional periods for naps, snacks and playtime would be eliminated.

Elkins wrote that the new half-day program would also cost less to parents with $5 daily and $25 weekly, instead of $10 and $50, respectively. Parents who pre-register their child for the program will also be able to choose between a.m. or p.m. times, which are still to be definitively determined.

To a question from board member Duane Huge regarding a potential fluctuation in the number of students, Elkins said that 30-40 could be enrolled in the program compared with 29 last year. She also stressed that pre-kindergarten is a “feeder” program for incoming kindergarteners to develop social skills, and that she would like to see three-year-olds enrolled in the program in the future.

In other business, the board approved of bids from West Indy Coop for food service in the next school year. Linton said working with West Indy would allow for school meals to have more variety, and that procuring food would be less burdensome.

Board members also approved a request by Linton to surplus outdated technology items the buildings still retain.

The board also approved the following personnel report:

• Employment: Tiffany Shields, corporation nurse; Lea Ann Phillips, K-12 treasurer; Angela Kiste, elementary school special education teacher; and Denis Weir, middle school instructional assistant; and

• Coaching: Jimmy Beasley, high school assistant football coach.

JaceAnn Trout was the only board member absent at Monday’s meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale School Board is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center near Cloverdale High School.