LISBON — The Beaver Local School District is continuing efforts to increase attendance at the middle school.

During the recent board of education meeting, middle school Principal Jake Walgate said that students with perfect attendance are able to receive monthly awards.

He said 171 students earned awards for the month of August and 179 students earned awards in September.

Attendance has been a focus at the middle school for at least a year. In 2023, efforts were also made to increase attendance, with a success rate of 3.5 percent at that time.

Enrollment at the middle school was at 550 students for the 2022-23 school year, according to data available through the state.

Walgate also reported to the board that the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) dodgeball event was a great success.

The grade level tournament included participation from all members of staff, he said.

On another matter, District Superintendent Eric Lowe said the district had a good turnout for the Veterans Day programs.

“There were many positive comments and feedback on the day,” he said.

He added that the district partnered with Austin’s Army this year and raised $600 for support of veterans.

Lowe also thanked South Field Energy for their support of Beaver Local Students attending Camp Fitch.

He said the company not only donated for the trip, but also sent representatives to the camp to visit.

“They were very pleased with the activities they saw the students engaged in,” Lowe said.

Elementary School Principal Brianne Hall and Lowe also shared that they were happy with the turnout for the Breakfast with Someone Special that was held for Kindergarten through fourth grade.

In her report to the board, Hall said that elementary staff are continuing to work through the Science of Reading training along with examining the best educational path forward to align with the Science of Reading in the district.

Science of Reading is a state-sanctioned literacy program that is geared toward helping students read by breaking words down into letters and sounds, and was debuted this year as part of an effort to increase literacy rates across the state.

Under House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, teachers and administrators are required to complete a Science of Reading course no later than June of 2025.

On another matter, Hall also reported to the board that district secretaries and transportation staff recently had the opportunity to attend a de-escalation training during a wavier day.

“It was great to see these staff members involved with this training,” she said.

High School Principal Aaron Walker wished to thank everyone involved with the student council blood drive.

He said they were able to surpass their goal of 60 units by 11 units, for a total of 71 units of blood donated.

“Thank you to everyone who gave blood,” he said.

The board then approved:

— The eighth grade trip to Washington DC May 15-17, 2025.

— Participation in winter indoor track for the 2024-25 school year.

— Adrianna Coleman as bus driver.

— Elizabeth Bean, Heather Berger, Marcus Collins, Mikala McCoy as educational based volunteers for the 2024-25 school year, and Terry Bowyer and Brad Gilson as indoor track volunteers.

— The five-year financial forecast as presented by the treasurer.