Huntingdon School Board Hears About Innovative School Model

HUNTINGDON (April 17) — Environmental learning labs, STEM Labs, and software to better identify career opportunities for students were just a few of the items discussed at the Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education on Wednesday, April 17.

Eight students in the STEM III program presented their idea for an outdoor learning lab, known as the Environmental Learning Lab Project.

Joshua Blankenship, Blake Brown, Elijah Carter, Nolan Foley, Dillon Nunley, Elisha Mota, Gabriel Salma, and Arianna Wheeler were part of the project. They presented their idea to have environmental learning areas around the Huntingdon Middle School, which would include live plants, a Learning Lodge with log chairs, tables, podium and whiteboard; Gardener’s Grove with flowers and vegetable beds plus a greenhouse; Builder’s Burrow, Mural Meadows for visual arts, and a Puzzle Peak.

The outdoor project is expected to cost $17,000 and be used by the students at HMS.

Dr. Jonathan Kee, director of schools, said the school has a applied for a grant that will provide funding for the outdoor project along with other projects.

This is the first of three years the school has received funding under the Innovative School Model. Kee said the school is using the funds wisely.

Part of the funding was to hire a Career and Workforce Coordinator. Lori Nolen works with students to better prepare students for a career that best fits their personalities. A software program called Major Clarity helps identify the strengths and personalities of the students.

She said working with the students and watching them grow has been exciting.

Dr. Kee was excited about the school’s progress in this first year of the Innovative Model.

Personnel changes for the 2024-25 school year include:

David Wilkins to relocate from Huntingdon Primary School Principal to Huntingdon High School Teacher.

Vicki Crossno from HHS Assistant Principal to HPS Principal.

Shanna Boyd from HHS Teacher to HHS Assistant Principal.

New associates include: Kensley Crossno as HMS Fourth Grade Teacher; Cara Pruett to HHS Business/Technology Teacher; and Sydney Pate as HPS Teacher.

Resignations at the end of this school year include: Janet Esch, HMS Fourth Grade; Tina Hicks - HPS Food Service; and Jade Wilkins as HPS Enrichment.