RCS reviewing student support needs

Richmond Community Schools is evaluating data on student attendance, grades and behavior, and how often students are accessing social services, as they try to meet their various needs.

At RCS’ April 23 board meeting, Bridget Hazelbaker, director of student support and communications, and Elizabeth Markward, assistant superintendent of elementary education, described student support service partnerships. Data points they use include grades, attendance, office referrals, mobility between schools, and home life.

While attendance has increased 6.8% overall during the first semester of 2024-25, administrators are troubled about habitual truancy. Richmond High School has 143 habitual truants. Dennis Middle School and Fairview Elementary each have 24.

RCS works with several community partners to address students’ personal challenges.

RCS schools referred a total of 13 students to Centerstone for mental health care in March, which was about the same number that RHS referred in November alone.

In March, Meridian Health Services provided 1,277 nurse clinic visits.

Communities In Schools provides schoolwide services ranging from food and hygiene products to targeted program/group and individual services in each building.

Hazelbaker and Markward noted CIS has struggled to fill site coordinator positions at Charles, Vaile, Hibberd and Dennis.

WWN contacted Becky Murray, CIS’ executive director, who said the organization is proud to connect students in all of Wayne County’s five public school corporations with caring adults and vital community resources to help them navigate and overcome barriers.

Murray noted that in December 2024, RCS expanded its commitment by integrating CIS services at Charles Elementary, Hibberd Program Building and Community Youth Services.

“Recognizing the typical hiring timelines aligned with the academic year, midyear recruitment for these crucial positions has presented challenges in attracting qualified candidates,” Murray said. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling ongoing staffing requests from schools, understanding the significant positive impact Communities In Schools has on all Wayne County.” 

In addition, through the Handle with Care initiative, first responders notify schools when children have experienced potentially traumatic events, without sharing details.

HWC notifications have been sent for 305 RCS students at least this year. Some have been listed multiple times, indicating a need for closer monitoring.

In other business

• RCS will continue hiring Chartwells K-12 for food service management. A task force scored the proposals based on breakfast and lunch offerings. Indiana Department of Education reviewed those findings and approved Chartwells. District officials said Chartwells staff listen to their ideas.
• A base bid of $149,586 and 10% contingency from Greiner Bros. Inc. was approved for HVAC work at Baxter/Community Youth Services. It’s paid with 2024 bond funds.
• Teacher Renee’ Colaj introduced students Avery VanDervort and Vanessa Vance, who described their spring break trip to Puerto Rico. They appreciate the cultural experience and personal growth.
• Erica Pearson discussed a proposed anti-bullying policy and the current difficulty for RCS website visitors to find information if they feel they’ve been discriminated against. She suggested how to boost visibility and accessibility of antidiscrimination and anti-harassment policies. The anti-bullying policy was tabled until the May 20 policy meeting to ensure consistency in numbering.
• The board discussed RCS’ 31 aging automatic external defibrillators. An audit showed another unit is needed in Richmond High School’s Career Center. Portable AEDs were discussed for athletics and summer band, but cost about $2,000 each. Batteries are harder to replace as the AEDs, many of which are the same age, become obsolete. Grants could be pursued for their replacement.
• A brochure for low- or no-cost athletic camps was approved.
• The next board meeting begins earlier, at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, so members can attend Indiana School Boards Association’s regional meeting. A special policy meeting is 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20. Both are at 300 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. The public may attend. 

At a glance

Slides sharing Richmond Community Schools student support data can be found at wwn.to/rcs-ss-25 or by scanning the QR code.