Paula Young

With the return of the 21st Century Community Learning Program, an after-school enrichment program, one of the first orders of business was to select a program administrator. Thursday, Russellville City Schools Board of Education voted in favor of Paula Young.

Young, who is assistant principal at Russellville Elementary School, will essentially “function as the principal (of the after school program) so it streamlines everything,” Superintendent Heath Grimes explained.

The position will be part-time.

“I am super excited about this new adventure,” Young said. “The 21st Century Learning Program will allow me to have an opportunity to work alongside teachers who are so passionate about teaching that they want to continue that after the school day has ended.”

Young said she is also eager for this opportunity to collaborate with the community and other stakeholders to provide opportunities for students they wouldn’t normally get in the afternoon at home.

“I also want to continue the character building activities we’ve been practicing at school and provide those for our after school students,” she added. “We have already seen a difference in our students this year, and I can’t wait for it to carry over into the 21st Century Learning Program as well.”

The school board approved salary rates and job descriptions for all personnel associated with the program, including site lead teacher, learning teacher and learning teacher aide, in addition to program administrator.

Students at both Russellville Elementary School and West Elementary School will be able to take part in the high-quality after school enrichment program starting Dec. 1, thanks to the two $150K grants the schools received from the Alabama Department of Education. Funds will be awarded annually for three years to continue offering the program.

Students who enroll in one of the 21^st CCLC programs – who must be students of the school served by each program – will be required to pay tuition based on a sliding scale rate related to household income. Ninety slots are available at each school (125 during the summer), and Grimes and RCS doesn’t anticipate interest to exceed capacity; however, if there is in fact greater interest than slots availability, students will be accepted through a lottery basis. Applications should be available soon.

The board also:

– Granted facility use requests for the RHS auditorium Oct. 30 and softball facilities Oct. 1.

– Approved retirement of RHS’ Debbie Nale, effective Jan. 1, 2017; resignation of RHS’ Coach John Smith, effective Sept. 23, 2016; and new volunteers Tessa Chandler and Nelda Otzoy, WES.

The next regular meeting will be Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m., with work session Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.