Tag Archives: Director of Schools Cheryl Cole

The passing grade for Van Buren County student athletes and all other students has changed from a 70 to 60. The update was included in a new policy passed by the school board regarding student athletes. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said student athletes that are failing will also be required to meet with school officials. “In the event that ... Read More »

The Van Buren School System will implement a teacher observer program to provide feedback on instruction. The School Board approved some $100,000 for two contracts. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said one service will be introduced to science and social studies at all grade levels. “Observes their class and gives them suggestions,” Cole said. “Sometimes they take it better from ... Read More »

The Van Buren County School Board will send a budget to the county commission that contains restored funding for a pre-k classroom. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said some $100,000 of federal funding came back to the school system. “I had to go back and revise it last week, because voluntary pre-k,” Cole said. “We had funding for two classrooms ... Read More »

Van Buren County Schools want to bring the district’s average ACT score to at least 21 as a part of the system’s five year strategic plan. The Board of Education approved the the school’s core focuses Wednesday night. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the strategic plan needed an update to create reachable goals. “2017 was the first year I ... Read More »

Van Buren Schools will have a new School Resource Officer starting Tuesday. Officer Jorge Rivera previously served in Warren County. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the hire fills a vacancy that’s been open for a year and a half. “It’s taken a load off of our shoulders, because there are things that come up at school that it would ... Read More »

Van Buren County School Board Chair Ricky Walling said he does not have an issue if the school board increases to 10 members. The Van Buren Commission has scheduled a work session for November 30th to discuss the possibility introduced by Commissioner William Maxwell. But, Walling said the only concern in his mind is the cost. “We really don’t have ... Read More »

Van Buren Elementary’s gym floor will be replaced thanks to federal COVID money. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the school board’s spending plan includes the capital project. “It’s rubberized right now,” Cole said. ‘We’ve had it for about 24 years. It’s past its life expectancy, and we’re hoping to put wood in. But, we’ll have to see how much ... Read More »

The Van Buren County School System has received its final state payment for the closure of Fall Creek Falls Inn. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said it feels good to receive the $84,000 of recouped hotel/motel tax revenue. “It will help us fund our teaching positions that our BEP doesn’t cover,” Cole said. “We have about 11 positions right now ... Read More »

Van Buren County High School looks to begin in-house COVID testing. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the district received some $200,000 through a CDC grant making the operation possible. “They are not rapid test, but they only take about a day, and it’s through the health department,” Cole said. “It will pay for the nurses salary for this year. ... Read More »

Van Buren County School’s new fiscal year budget has passed its second reading with little changes. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the proposed $7.4 million budget includes a two percent raise for teachers and support staff. “Expenditures we kept about the same,” Cole said. “I think there was $180,000 difference and that was a decrease because we are trying ... Read More »