RADFORD – There are more kindergarteners signed up for school next year than usual at this point, causing school administrators to plan for a large incoming class.
At Tuesday’s Radford City School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Becky Greer said there are already more than 120 children signed up for kindergarten next year.
“Usually at this point, we have about 80 signed up, so if the trend continues we may see a high number of kindergarteners,” she said.
Greer said increased recruiting activities to encourage kindergarten registration might account for some of the increase, but plans are being made to accommodate a large class.
“We have a plan in place if we were to need a seventh kindergarten class,” she said. “If we were to need more than that…we may be wringing our hands a little bit.”
Greer said that with 133 children entering first grade at McHarg Elementary School next year, there has already been a seventh first grade class added for the upcoming school year.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the school board unanimously approved a proposal by Greer to give all full-time, contract employees a $500 bonus at the end of the school year. Part-time contract employees will be given a $250 bonus. The bonus is possible through savings in the budget throughout the year. Additional funds saved throughout the year will be used for several sprucing up projects around the schools this summer, Greer said.
Tuesday’s meeting was held at Radford High School. Prior to the regular meeting, a reception was held to honor retiring teachers. Retiring teachers include Becca Bondurant from Belle Heth School, Jonnie Collins from McHarg School and Diane Wallace from Radford High School.
