Clovis schools, Boy Scouts partnering again

Four schools will continue to use a supplemental academic program thanks to donations from two local companies.

Boy Scout District Executive Director Scott Kilian told the Clovis school board on Tuesday he has secured $15,000 in funding for a character-building program owned by the Scouts.

“Learning for Life,” is used by teachers from kindergarten through sixth grade at Parkview and Ranchvale elementary schools. The program consists of lesson plans for various subjects which teachers can modify to fit the needs of students.

Two Clovis junior high schools are using the special needs portion of the program, which was designed by Boy Scouts, curriculum specialists and teachers nationwide in 1991, Kilian said.

“It came about because the Boy Scouts saw a need to get help to the teachers for supplemental instruction on character-development-type things,” Kilian said.

Kilian said he is hoping to expand the program this year to Lockwood Elementary.

The funding comes from independent entities. Kilian recently secured $10,000 from Xcel Energy and $5,000 from Public Service Company of New Mexico.

Kilian said the $15,000 will fund “Learning for Life” for the 2004-2005 school year in a region including Carlsbad and Fort Sumner.

In addition to the course lesson plans, Kilian will also conduct career seminars from September through April at all three junior high schools.

Kilian will distribute questionnaires to students asking about career plans and ambitions. He will then invite community members to speak to the students for a class period about their profession.

In other business:

• The board approved science curriculum for third, fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Physical science will be added to eighth-grade curriculum and the board approved an “Introduction to Chemistry” course for ninth grade. That course will not take effect until the 2005-2006 school year.

• The board unanimously approved four bids, including one for parking improvements to five schools.

That bid aims to improve parking lot problems at Zia, Lockwood, La Casita, Highland and Barry elementary schools.

Leslie said the majority of funding for the bid, approved at $215,519.71, will come from school bond money. The rest will come from a state grant.

Another project will repair the air conditioning unit at the Clovis High School lecture hall.

Another project will improve grading and storm-water drainage at Highlands elementary where Assistant Superintendent Lonnie Leslie said heavy rains cause water to flood the playground area and seep into the building.

A fourth project will provide musical equipment and instruments for Clovis schools.