Shortly after the Turner Report posted that Carthage R-9 officials had told teachers and staff at Pleasant Valley Elementary Friday that their school would be closing at the end of the current academic year, Superintendent Luke Boyer e-mailed all staff to let them know it's not a done deal.
We had planned to communicate this information on Monday, however, I underestimated the urgency created by information circulating on social media.
Friday's meeting with Pleasant Valley faculty and staff was a courtesy meeting. I felt it was important to provide staff with early information and the opportunity to express interest in current district openings if they chose.
I also want to clearly state that if the Board decides to change the current functionality of Pleasant Valley, all current staff members will have positions moving forward.
Currently, there is a significant need to expand the Beacon Autism Center (BAC), which is housed at the District Central Office.
The BAC has been operating at capacity for several years and has a waiting list approaching 100 percent. In addition, the College View School, the state school for students with disabilities, is scheduled to close after the 2025-2026 school year. We believe this closure will further increase demand for services provided by the Beacon Autism Center.
If you are not aware, the Beacon Autism Center operates through a consortium of multiple school districts, all of which are fiscally responsible for their students enrolled in the program. The center is operated in partnership with Crowder College, which provides the majority of the staff required to operate the facility.
Following a facilities review across the Carthage School District, if expansion of the Beacon Autism Center occurs, the only plausible location within the district to support that expansion would be the Pleasant Valley campus.
In related news, Pleasant Valley Principal Mr. Don Cox will be transferring next year to the Carthage Intermediate Center to serve as an assistant principal.
The CIC is currently operating without an instructional or academic coach, and this move will allow building administrators more time to fulfill responsibilities that are currently underserved.
Additionally, during the current school year, the district expanded preschool classes on the Pleasant Valley campus. While we hoped this would be a strong option for families, we have learned that many parents are reluctant to enroll their preschool students at Pleasant Valley if they have older children attending other district campuses.
The district will be relocating three full-day preschool classes to Steadley Elementary next year and the district will have two half-day preschool classes at Mark Twain Elementary next year.
As we work to determine the best path forward for the Carthage School District, we are actively planning for all potential outcomes. These plans are necessary due to the complexity of the situation and should not be interpreted as an indication that a decision has been made.
If Pleasant Valley's operational structure were to change, the current Pleasant Valley attendance zone would most likely be incorporated into the Steadley Elementary attendance zone.
Thank you for your professionalism and patience. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
When Monday comes around and they announce they are gonna be closing the school don’t forget this Luke Boyer made a special statement to claim it’s not a done deal. But we all know it is, seems like someone is full of BS to me.
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