Worth County Accepts Donation from Mullock Families, Hires Chuck Borey as Bus Driver

The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting Wednesday, accepted a $2,500 donation from the Steve, Jerry, and Donnie Mullock families for the FFA program.

The board hired Chuck Borey as a full time bus route driver for the 25-26 school year.

The special tax rate meeting was held. The board left the tax rate at $3.52 per $100 assessed valuation and the debt service levy at 25 cents. 

The board set the out of district tuition rate at $5,845.48.

Elementary Principal Amber Hawk reported on enrollment figures for the new school year. Pre-K has 14 students. Kindergarten is divided into two classes this year with a combined enrollment of 27. First grade has 25. Second grade has 23. Third grade has two classes with a combined total of 29 students  Fourth grade has 19 students. Fifth grade has 22 students. Sixth grade has 23 students. 

Around 90% of elementary families attended the Open House on August 14th.

High School Principal reported on the enrollment figures for his building. Seventh grade has 21 students. Eighth grade has 27 students. There are 20 freshmen, 19 sophomores, 25 juniors, and 22 seniors for a total of 134 students.

Athletic Director Cree Beverlin reported on participation numbers for fall sports. There are 30 out for high school football, 17 for junior high football, 11 for varsity softball, 20 for junior high softball, 11 for football cheer, and nine for girls golf (one from NEN).

The school has received $23,265 in revenues for the Operating Fund and has paid out $2217,287 in expenses. The school has paid out $371,462 in capital improvement expenses, mostly for voter-approved bond projects such as the hallway connecting the main building to the ag building and the entryway for the high school. Across all four funds, the school has a combined total of $4,173,662 in the bank. The school will receive the bulk of its revenues starting in November with the receipt of tax revenues. The school earned $206,178 in investments such as money market accounts and CD's for the previous school year. This figure may be lower in future years as President Donald Trump is pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates and the economy is slowing down.

The school released a set of AI guidelines for teachers and students. Generative AI, such as Microsoft Copilot or Gemini or Chat GPT, is any technology that can produce content that includes, but is not limited to, text, images, audio, and/or simulated data. 

Instructors may use AI to enhance the quality of instructional materials, support personalized student learning. encourage creativity and critical thinking, assist with academic research, streamline tasks, translate content, and enrich and accelerate the teaching and learning experience.

AI can support personalized learning, accelerate learning, automate administrative tasks, and provide interactive and engaging learning experiences. 

Students cannot use AI tools without a teacher's consent. Students must respect copyright, privacy, and intellectual property. Students may use AI only for educational purposes as directed by instructors. Students, with the permission of instructors, can use AI for research, practice, personalized learning, and exploration. 

No personally identifiable or confidential student data shall be input into any AI system such as student and staff contact information, demographic information, and rosters.

Students may not submit AI generated work as their own, rephrase AI content without citing sources, use AI without checking for accuracy, use AI on assignments without permission, or share personal or sensitive information with AI. Students are required to disclose how AI was used. 

The board set substitute pay rates effective August 28th. Substitute teachers will be paid $15 per hour or $105 per day. Substitute teachers must have a substitute certificate. Substitute bus driver pay was set at $70 per day or $23.34 per hour. Substitute bus drivers must have a bus license. Substitute custodians and secretaries will be paid $15 per hour. Private duty nurses will be paid $35 per hour; they must be an LPN or RN. 

The board set bus driver activity pay at $15 per hour, effective August 20th. Regular route drivers must deduct one hour of the activity trip pay when the activity route occurs prior to the end of the regular bus route. Once the driver logs more than 40 hours in a week, they will be paid overtime with the prior approval of the superintendent.