Photo by Catherine Stachowiak
Superintendent for South Fork Union School District, Richard Rhodes spoke to the public, at Paradise Cove Lodge, in an attempt toward further transparency, about what the district is spending public dollars on.
Coming up soon South Fork students will be performing a Christmas presentation, on Friday, December 20 at 9am. The whole community is invited to attend.
Rhodes told the Kern Valley Exchange Club Thursday, December 12, “We picked up a $1.2 million dollar Community School grant.”
Rhodes explained that one aspect of the grant is community involvement. So South Fork staff is attempting to spend more time within the community. He said, “What I’d like to talk to you about is, we have something that’s called an LCAP, which is a Local Controlled Accountability Plan, which advises the public of what the district is spending tax money on, what the district does with it, and how it uses the money, and how they’re holding themselves accountable with what they do with the approximately $6 million per year.
This time of year the district provides a budget report, regarding how much is spent, and how much is in reserve
The district’s local accountability plan includes a triage approach to dealing with behavioral issues. Rhodes explained that about 68% of South Fork students are Medi-Cal eligible, out of the 355 students. Almost 80% of the district’s students are in foster care, or living with extended family, and are low income. These facts bring with them emotional issues because if parents or guardians are worried about food, shelter, and clothing, it’s really difficult to concentrate on schoolwork
Therefore the school created a triage-team, which meets to discuss the students and their needs. The team consists of a nurse, a psychologist, a social worker, and a school safety officer.
The school is getting ready to provide tele-medicine, to assist parents with students, to see a doctor locally, preventing them having to drive to Bakersfield.
The previous Monday the district partnered with Weldon Christian Church, before the holiday, to give out 36 Thanksgiving baskets to the 10 lowest percent income families.
Another church will be partnering with the district, to contribute Christmas baskets, for those in need.
A donor donated 30 pairs of shoes for the school nurse to give students. Rhodes said that, within an hour of telling teachers about the gift, all the shoes were taken. “We’re moving forward with our shoe give away,” he said.
Another donor provided jackets for students as well.
The district also wants to assure kids learn to read proficiently by the third grade and is assisting any struggling students based on student test scores and other data
The school board was hearing a presentation from an architect and has a $7 million budget to remodel the cafeteria and bathrooms. They also want an additional classroom for TK students.
The district already put in a baseball and softball field, and a track, and put in
a football/soccer field. They redid the pool.
The district applied for grants with First Five to run three years, of the after school and summer swimming program. They also just got renewed for the pre school program grant. The district also runs an after school program until 6pm.
The district is attempting to deal with chronic absenteeism, reducing the number of students, with lower attendance.
Rhodes said that the district wants to be a better part of the community, especially with the district being sort of isolated because of its location.
The district offers basketball, after finishing its volleyball season.
The district invites the community to support youth by enjoying their presentations.
The district is holding activities to reach out to the community, including the recent Veterans Honor presentation. Please feel free to attend their Christmas event.
