For Trigg County’s Horizon Youth Service Center, the mission is simple. Remove any barriers — physical, emotional, and/or social — and pave a path for child learning and family success.
During Thursday night’s district school board meeting, HYSC Director Laura Shelton gave a considerable update on the program’s standing within the community, and offered clarity on some of the next steps for growth.
As of September 25, more than 475 students and more than 80 parents have been in contact with HYSC since the start of the 2023-24 school year.
And the breakdown goes deeper:
— More than 70 middle schoolers and 80 high schoolers have sought mental health counseling.
— More than 1,000 Lion’s Club vision screenings have been conducted.
— Seven “Parent Cafe” gatherings have been held, with an eighth planned for November 16.
— Four individuals are working through the ASPIRE Online Substance Abuse Program.
— Twelve are involved in the Backpack Food Program.
— More than 75 high school juniors are enrolled in dual credit option.
— More than 110 students have taken advantage of The Way’s “Barn Teen Clothing Closet.”
— And 13 high school students are involved in youth leadership.
In other words, the extra efforts are desperately needed.
Furthermore, Shelton noted a $100,000 grant in connection with The Way Christian Youth Center is helping generate even more enriched learning.
In Year 1 of “Wildcats at the Way,” 133 students participated and 73 completed five of six sessions. More than 20 classes were offered, including guitar, advanced guitar, singing, cooking, personal finance, trade skills, CPR/first aid, and more. And in a student and parent survey, more than 98% of students said they would recommend the program to a friend, and more than 76% of parents said their child learned new knowledge and skills.
In Year 2, 117 students participated with 65 completing five of six sessions. Again, more than 20 classes were offered. More than 96% of students said they would recommend the program to friends, and 100% of parents indicated they were satisfied with the program, and more than 87% said their child, once again, learned new knowledge and skills.
She reminded the board that this grant helped support the “Barn Teen Clothing Closet,” and more than 200 students used it between its October 2022 inception and the last day of the 2022-23 school year.
Shelton also thanked the board, which around two years ago opted to fund an extra 20 days for Program Assistant Laura Miller.
Open from 7:30 AM until 3 PM weekdays, services provided include health and social referrals, career exploration, summer and part-time job development, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, family crisis and mental health referrals and/or efforts. And not just for students, but for families and staff, as well.
In other school news:
— Chief Finance Officer Holly Greene gave an update on the working budget, which at the moment includes more than $6.4 million in unassigned carry forward dollars, a conservative expectation of $4.8 million in general real property value at the 4% tax rate for real and tangible property, more than $130,000 from public service corporations, more than $700,000 in motor vehicle tax, more than $850,000 in utility tax, more than $570,000 in lieu of taxes and a $2.5 million line item for the school food service fund.
— The school board will not meet on October 12, seeing as it’s Fall Break and a day before the highly-anticipated Trigg County Country Ham Festival.
— Director of Operations Matt Ladd confirmed the co-curricular facility is “nearing completion.” Wall padding installation has been delayed, and the turf still needs lines of 2, 10 and 15 meters painted for the archery program. The vocational building, he added, is in the middle of major movement, including rock and decking, landing and concrete pours, and the installation of stairwells and sprinkler systems.
