MONROE - On Monday, the Monroe school board:
• Learned the district is continuing efforts to develop a Project STRIVE program to focus on independent and vocational education for students ages 16 to 21 with disabilities. The goal, according to the STRIVE committee, is to provide students with "authentic transition-focused services within the community based on each student's individual needs." To that end, the committee is looking to create partnerships with community businesses, provide independent living skills to students, and show that students with disabilities can be contributing community members. Joe Monroe, director of student services for the district, reported the group is looking at initially focusing on students with cognitive disabilities. While plans are tentative, the committee wants to use a portion of the former charter school building near Monroe Middle School to establish a simulated home environment so students can practice daily living skills such as taking care of a home. He said the cost to the district would be minimal. The program would also include job coaching and employment skills.
• Heard a presentation from Blackhawk Technical College president Tom Eckert. Eckert reported the college has programs for 27 two-year associate degrees; three two-year technical diplomas; 10 one-year technical diploma; eight technical diplomas of less than one year; 24 certificates; five apprenticeships; and six non-post secondary offerings. The Monroe Campus has programs available in health occupations, early childhood, public safety and agriculture. As a whole, BTC has 8,500 students with about 3,700 of those in credit programs.
• Accepted the retirement of Judy Adcock, an aide in the Monroe High School special education department. She has worked for the district for 29 years.
• Approved donations from the Monroe Booster Club to two MHS sports programs. The club donated $678 for an iPad for the wrestling team and $10,000 to the baseball program to renovate the baseball field at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy. Freshman and junior varsity games are played on the field. The renovation will include stripping the surface, adding fill to raise the surface higher to help with drainage and adding a calcified clay similar to the varsity field.
• Accepted the donation of an Invertec V350 Pro Welder, valued at almost $8,000, from Monroe Truck Equipment for the MHS Technology department so students can practice on the type of equipment they might use in the workplace.
• Learned the estate of Barb Nelson left about $2,500 to the MHS music department.
- Times staff
• Learned the district is continuing efforts to develop a Project STRIVE program to focus on independent and vocational education for students ages 16 to 21 with disabilities. The goal, according to the STRIVE committee, is to provide students with "authentic transition-focused services within the community based on each student's individual needs." To that end, the committee is looking to create partnerships with community businesses, provide independent living skills to students, and show that students with disabilities can be contributing community members. Joe Monroe, director of student services for the district, reported the group is looking at initially focusing on students with cognitive disabilities. While plans are tentative, the committee wants to use a portion of the former charter school building near Monroe Middle School to establish a simulated home environment so students can practice daily living skills such as taking care of a home. He said the cost to the district would be minimal. The program would also include job coaching and employment skills.
• Heard a presentation from Blackhawk Technical College president Tom Eckert. Eckert reported the college has programs for 27 two-year associate degrees; three two-year technical diplomas; 10 one-year technical diploma; eight technical diplomas of less than one year; 24 certificates; five apprenticeships; and six non-post secondary offerings. The Monroe Campus has programs available in health occupations, early childhood, public safety and agriculture. As a whole, BTC has 8,500 students with about 3,700 of those in credit programs.
• Accepted the retirement of Judy Adcock, an aide in the Monroe High School special education department. She has worked for the district for 29 years.
• Approved donations from the Monroe Booster Club to two MHS sports programs. The club donated $678 for an iPad for the wrestling team and $10,000 to the baseball program to renovate the baseball field at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy. Freshman and junior varsity games are played on the field. The renovation will include stripping the surface, adding fill to raise the surface higher to help with drainage and adding a calcified clay similar to the varsity field.
• Accepted the donation of an Invertec V350 Pro Welder, valued at almost $8,000, from Monroe Truck Equipment for the MHS Technology department so students can practice on the type of equipment they might use in the workplace.
• Learned the estate of Barb Nelson left about $2,500 to the MHS music department.
- Times staff