The Van-Far R-1 school board unanimously voted to implement a plan designed to help those students who may need extra support in finding success at the Feb. 18 board meeting. Amid the normal procedural steps and reports required for a public-school board meeting, superintendent John Fortney proposed adding the K-12 position of success coach to the staff.

Fortney said that the success coach position would be essentially an organic position, developing as needs develop. “But,” he added, “the coach would be in charge of a targeted study hall for non-IEP students who need a little help.”

During the meeting, Fortney told board members that the district was not getting the help he had hoped it would from area mental health providers. The district is receiving tele help sessions from Clarity out of Hannibal, but much more is needed.

“We can’t wait for people to help us,” he said. “The spotlight has been put on mental health. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues.

Fortney said that the National Parks Service grant application process was on hold because of several issues including submission portals and dates. He also said that the governor has withheld a significant portion of money allotted for schools.

As a result, the district is $238,000 below where it was last year in funding. As far as CARES money, the district has just over $750,000 which can be used for a number of items including building plant issues, educational technology, and mental health support.

The board also approved the purchase of a stock bus from Thomas to be used basically as the vo-tech bus. The topic of junior high football was tabled for a month. The board also discussed staff distribution, specifically the need for another special education teacher at the high school.

Principals Kim Pafford (high school/middle school) and Brian Hummel (elementary), reported that enrollment is holding steady and they are not looking to reduce staff. Hummel said that they are planning to move the MAP tests back.