A possible STEM-focused academy for junior high students is under review in the Watson Chapel School District following action taken by the school board during a special meeting June 23.
The board voted 5-0, with two members absent, to authorize Superintendent Keith McGee to begin examining whether an Academy of Exploration could be developed at the junior high campus.
The decision does not establish the program but allows district officials to study feasibility, including potential course offerings, staffing needs, outside partnerships and funding options before any formal proposal is considered.
If developed, the academy would center on science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction, with an emphasis on hands-on learning experiences, career exposure and lessons tied to real-world applications.
District leaders said the intent is to increase student engagement and better prepare students for future academic and career paths.
The planning process will also take existing district programs into account.
Watson Chapel recently launched a healthcare pathway designed to introduce students to medical careers before high school, while eighth- and ninth-grade students in both Watson Chapel and Pine Bluff currently have access to the STAR Academy at the former Dollarway High School campus, which offers similar career and technical education opportunities.
Superintendent Keith McGee said the district wants to take time to ensure any new program is aligned with student needs and current initiatives before moving forward with development. He said the goal is to strengthen hands-on instruction and expand STEM-based learning opportunities already available to students.
Alongside the discussion of the potential academy, the school board handled personnel actions that included the acceptance of resignations or retirements from behavior intervention specialist Tanesha Curl, technology coordinator Jennifer Howington, dyslexia paraprofessional Chiquita King, teacher Curtis Rolfe and teacher/coach Shaun Wilson.
The board also approved multiple new hires across instructional and support positions, including Marco Canales and Jadon Garner as custodians; Charlie Lawrence as a part-time custodian; Jennifer Ford as secretary; Latecia King as a secondary career and technical education teacher; Jennifer McAfee as library media specialist; Synthia Massey-Gray as a secondary English language arts teacher; Brian Medlen as elementary assistant principal; Ora Reynolds as district instructional specialist; Britleigh Smith as a one-on-one special education paraprofessional; Carlisha Treadwell as an elementary teacher; Michael Watkins as junior high band director and Rhindi White as an elementary visual arts teacher.
The employment of Canales, Garner, Lawrence and Massey-Gray is pending completion of hiring documentation.
