School’s free/reduced lunch qualifiers show increase
Due to a push to encourage families to fill out applications for free and reduced lunches, Holyoke School District has seen an increase in participation, resulting in a potential increase in per-pupil revenue.
Budget and Finance Director Ben Rahe reported the increase at the Oct. 15 meeting of the Holyoke School Board. He credited District Administrative Director Brenda Krueger for her relentless pursuit to get as many applications filled out as possible.
Total free lunch students increased by 58 from 215 last year to 273. Currently, 46% of the student population qualifies for free lunches.
The reduced lunch qualifiers also increased by 14. Overall, 57% of the district’s students qualify for either free or reduced lunches, which is an 11% increase from last year.
While this should increase the per-pupil revenue from initial projections last April, Rahe said he won’t have definitive numbers until the October count is completed.
Total seat count for the district is up by close to 20 students from the same count date last year. Rahe noted that the district is very close to completing the October count information.
He pointed out that the biggest change for state funding this year is that kindergarten students are now counted as full-time equivalents as opposed to being half-time in previous years.
Herman reports on Childcare Initiative progress
Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative project coordinator Trisha Herman gave a quick update on the capital campaign for the community childcare center.
She said $200,000 in pledges has been raised from the community, on the way to a $500,000 goal for the $3 million-$3.5 million project.
“Knowing this is a workforce issue, we’re going to businesses to get their support,” Herman added.
She emphasized that it’s not a question of if the facility will be built, but when.
Other business
In other business at the Oct. 15 meeting, the board:
— Approved First Pioneer National Bank as the financial institution for the lease-purchase agreement on two new mini buses and one used route bus, not to exceed a total of $185,000.
The need to continue to update the fleet was emphasized, for the safety of kids. Board member Dusty Sprague added that’s why it’s designated for part of the mill levy override moneys on the Nov. 5 ballot question.
— Held a 68-minute executive session at the end of the meeting for the informal superintendent evaluation.
— Approved second reading of the Colorado Association of School Boards policies presented Sept. 17. They covered the topics of resignation of instructional staff/administrative staff, school-related student publications, and public concern and complaints.
— Passed first reading of CASB policies on safeguarding personal identifying information, English Language Learners, admission and denial of admission, and extracurricular activity eligibility.