The District 205 Board of Education on Monday night approved the funding of a therapy dog pilot program at Steele Elementary School.
The total cost to the district is $4,200 with the Galesburg Public Schools Foundation covering $1,800 of that to go towards the training and insurance.
Assistant Superintendent of Finances and Operations Jennifer Hamm told the board that teachers in other buildings are looking to bring on a therapy dog to help with students as well.
Hamm says that in those situations, the teachers at the schools would be responsible for acquiring the dog and the district could assist with paying for the training and insurance.
The remaining $2,400 was covered by Medicaid funds, which board member Maury Lyon had an issue with, voting against the item in the end.
A dual credit agreement between Carl Sandburg College and the Galesburg Area Vocational Center was approved at the District 205 School Board meeting on Monday night.
District Superintendent Dr. John Asplund told the board that the agreement was the same that was approved the year before with no changes made.
Asplund told the board that GAVC students can take advantage of the Pell Grant to pay for the dual credit courses.
Additionally, he says that he’s discussed getting the Galesburg Promise to assist in covering some of the costs.
“I’ve gone to the mayor and asked if we could perhaps move the Galesburg Promise down to high school students as well. And, he was very interested in looking at that… So, I know the city is discussing that as well.”
The Board of Education also approved the amended calendar for 2019/2020.
The first day of school for students is Friday, August 16th and will have a total of 174 days of attendance for students.
Also approved Monday were the milk bid for Prairie Farms and bread bid for Aunt Millie as well as a list of potential overnight trips for the various school sports as part of the IHSA state tournaments.
