Lebanon R-3 Board Meets

The Lebanon R-3 school board met last night to focus on reaching and improving the quality of education for students considered “at-risk” of not reaching their full potential. Several reports were heard from many programs, such as JAG and Lane Change. What differed from the norm the most was the number of parents speaking about their concerns surrounding bullying and what’s being done about it. Kevin Blackmon was one of the parents. He said he feels specific actions are being dismissed.

Three other parents also spoke on the issue, with the standard message being that something must be done whether it’s programs, a change in disciplinary actions, or simply an increased emphasis throughout the district.

Lebanon Athletic Director Will Christian spoke at the School Board meeting last night. Christian’s main focus was showing how students engaged in extracurricular activities fare compared to those that aren’t. Comparing stats like average GPA and attendance, his point was made clear.

Christian followed these remarks by requesting more funding for several new coaching positions, including a head girl wrestling coach, football assistant, and archery instructor. The current archery instructor, math teacher Dan Schott is unpaid for that position. In May, a final decision on those positions should be decided at the School Board personnel meeting.

The Covid-19 virus has caused havoc among many in recent memory, but at the Lebanon School Board meeting last night, there is some belief we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Dr.  Brad Armstrong delivered a Covid Update, showing nothing but zeros on the school district’s online covid dashboard.

This caused a motion to go from a “yellow” covid awareness to “green,” the motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Dr. David Schmitz said the Covid Dashboard will soon be taken off the website, though the administration will still analyze the data.