Overton Schools Add ESL Supplement As Numbers Rise

An increase in English As A Second Language students led the Overton County School Board to approve a $2,500 teacher supplement plan Tuesday night.

Director Of Schools Donnie Holman said ESL students have not only increased, but the number of schools with students has also risen. The system must provide one hour per day per student of additional instruction.

“What we’re doing here by this $2,500 is we’re utilizing some of our regular education teachers that have that ESL endorsement,” Holman said. “And this is in addition to their regular duties. And by us doing this $2,500 at this point, this is saving us from having to hire a totally another ESL full time teacher. In my way of looking at this is kind of band aiding us for a little while without us having to hire another person.”

Holman said the system looks at its ESL population at the beginning of each school year, assigning teachers to cover the needed instruction. He said his team has been creative to make it work.

He said expects the system will need to add an additional person in the coming years. The supplement addition would be for the remainder of this school year.

In other business, the School Board approved offering Microbiology as a special course offering at Livingston Academy. The course would begin next school year, led by a teacher with lab experience.

The board also approved adding a school resource officer for REACH Academy and an additional bus mechanic.