Board votes to support at-risk students, stop recent trend

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Creston Community School District has recognized a trend and is working to stop it. Over the past three school years, Creston High School has had 35 students dropout for one reason or another, according to High School Principal Todd Wolverton. Of those, 18 students returned to school — 51 percent. While Wolverton added many factors go into a students decision to drop out and many may drop out and return, he said the recent trend is a problem. “We need to be able to access resources that can help kids deal with issues so that school becomes a priority,” Wolverton said in a Creston News Advertiser telephone interview Tuesday. Board support During Monday’s meeting, Creston School Board members unanimously approved a $64,000 increase for allowable spending towards at-risk students. In years past, Superintendent Tim Hood said, funds for at-risk students have been used for a success coordinator, juvenile liaison officer, counselor and the High Lakes Country Academy alternative high school program — totaling approximately $150,000. Hood asked for an increase in allowable spending so administrators can explore options for at-risk students — specifically dropout prevention. “I think we are going to see some changes in our at-risk program,” Hood said during Monday’s meeting. “We would like to have some extra dollars for our kids if we so choose. I think we’re going to benefit kids.” The proposal would allow approximately $214,000 in funding to explore options. “That is the absolute maximum we could use,” Hood said during a Creston News Advertiser telephone interview Tuesday. “I’m not sure if we will ask for all of that.” Currently, Hood said, the process is still in the initial stages. Administrators have taken the first step by observing other “at-risk” programs to see what can be improved at Creston. “We know we’ve had some at-risk kids and we need to figure out how to help those kids,” Hood said. “We’re looking at different options.” Wolverton added, the process could be timely and every option to help students should be explored before a program is implemented. “There needs to be a lot of comprehensive study into the problem,” he said. “We have to be cautious of quick fixes and pay close attention to what research tells us and what works.” In other business the board: