Board recognizes Safe and Sober Prom Night

May 4, 2010

The Springfield school board recognized the Safe and Sober Prom Night program at its May 4 study session to help raise awareness of the program with high school proms happening now. Safe and Sober Prom encourages students  to sign a written pledge to their parents to stay drug-  and alcohol-free on prom night. In exchange, students receive a variety incentives and the high school with the most students to sign the pledge receives a special award. The program was founded in Missouri by Kurt Larson and his law firm, Larson Law, in association with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. Larson was on hand to provide an update to the board.

High school students selected to participate in Missouri Scholars Academy and Missouri Fine Arts Academy were honored at the board meeting. Missouri Scholars Academy is an intensive three-week program for 330 of the state’s brightest students. Missouri Fine Arts Academy is a three-week program that provides artistic opportunities to Missouri's talented high school students.

Other items from the May 4 study session:

The board authorized the sale of $22.25 million in bonds as part of the $50 million bond approved by voters in November 2009. The total sale comes from two bond programs: the $10.067 million through the Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds issued to the City of Springfield and  transferred to  SPS and $12.183 million in general obligation bonds through the Build America Bonds program. Both bond programs are part of the  2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Because the bonds are available through the federal economic stimulus package, the district can take advantage of lower interest rates.

Program evaluations for secondary science curriculum, and health, physical education and driver’s education curriculum were presented to the board. The reports are available online as part of the meeting agenda.

The board reviewed the proposed fees for student activities, athletic events, meals, Pay to Ride and other items for the 2010-2011 school year. The proposal, which is renewed annually by the board, does not include any increases. In most cases, the district has not increased activity fees since 1998. The board will vote on the fee proposal at its May regular session scheduled for Tuesday, May 18.

Read the agenda or watch the meeting.