H-BC approves IEIC contract

By: Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek School Board members approved a contract with the Interagency Early Intervention Committee at their meeting Monday night.The yearly contract with the IEIC would not alter services H-BC has been providing.The committee will be a collaborative effort between Nobles-Rock County Public Health, Southwestern Mental Health Center, SMOC/Headstart, Nobles-Rock County Corrections, Rock County Family Services, Rock County Board of Commissioners, Luverne School District and H-BC School District. If all of the aforementioned agencies and the IEIC Chairperson approve the contract, the agencies would work together to help children who have been found to have problems that make learning difficult for them. These problems include learning disabilities, behavioral issues and speech problems.Children involved with the program will receive help and support from the agencies involved until the age of 21. Superintendent David Deragisch pointed out that the school would only be involved until the student graduated. He also said that programs in place at H-BC, such as pre-school screening, already look for children with these needs."We already do this, but without funding," he said. "Now the school would receive funding. Nothing else would change. Our screening would still be done using our in-house programs."Funding would be provided on state and federal levels. The agreement will need to be renewed on an annual basis.In other school news:
The Board stressed the importance of members going to the capitol on Lobby Day, Feb. 28, to lobby for additional state funding. The possibility of taking a van or bus was discussed.
Monday’s teacher in-service allowed all H-BC staff members to meet a state mandated licensure requirement for reading.Dr. Greenfield, the former reading specialist from the Minnesota Department of Education, gave a presentation that met the requirements.The staff was reportedly happy with his ideas and look forward to implementing what they have learned.
Next week H-BC Elementary will begin celebrating "I Love to Read Month" as well as "Black History Month."Activities will include a winter-themed writing project, "Build An Igloo Day," a sixth grade ski trip and a challenge to read as many books as possible throughout the month of February.
Superintendent Deragisch announced the addition of a new foreign exchange student from Columbia named Felipe Reyes.
Several board members attended the School Board Convention in Minneapolis from Jan. 12-14. Al Harnack, Matt Larson, Ann Boeve and Lois Leuthold shared comments about various speakers and sessions."The speakers were passionate about learning," Boeve said.
Members watched a video detailing concerns of former finance commissioners John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski about how the last year’s legislative body handled the budget. Overall they felt that education was underfunded and that the budget was being fixed only on a temporary basis.