Dog-gone good news at school board meeting

Frank Phillips / DLC Media News

BRAZIL — Twenty Clay Community Schools students will have the opportunity to be part of a pilot program using a phone app called “Alongside.”

The app uses artificial intelligence to let students discuss their feelings with artificial intelligence on the app connected to a server without fear of stigma from teachers or friends. Parents must opt in before students can receive the app on their devices.

When students use the app, the basic subject of the student’s input to the application is passed on to the parents and teachers without specific details so adults can intervene if it appears the student might harm themselves or others.

With about two weeks left in the school year, the pilot program will be evaluated and the school board informed of the value of the Alongside app at a meeting this summer.

The board approved the pilot program 4-1 with Cheryl Schopmeyer voting no and Michael Shaw and Andrea Baysinger not in attendance. Ryan Keller, Lynn Romas,  Tom Reberger and Amy Burke-Adams voted for the pilot project.

Schopmeyer expressed concern about the liability to the school corporation “if something goes awry.” She asked “What if kids get mad at their parents and police arrive because the kid says he is suicidal?”

Adams replied,”This could happen with a phone.”

Schopmeyer had other questions which Dr. Tim Rayle, who proposed the pilot program, answered.

The strength of the program is that the children will share their feelings and thoughts with this app as they do their peers when they would not tell an adult.

“There are children who have committed suicide without saying a word,” Adams said. “If it can help a child get through (their school) years, I say we try it.”

Superintendent Jeff Fritz said teachers and other corporation employees talk to the children through the school year.

“This provides an extra layer,” Fritz said. “We have a tool.”

Tom Reberger agreed.

“We could have a student who is being bullied and they don’t know what to do,” Reberger said.

“It’s a pilot,” Romas said. “It can be ended.”

“The feedback has been very positive,” Rayle said.

The pilot program will end with the current school year and an evaluation will be made for the school board.

The pilot program was approved 4-1.

Some of the adults much time with the children are members of the Clay Community Schools Police Force. On Thursday night, the board approved Police Chief Josh Clark’s recommendation of Matt Weber, who has. been  working with the Clay City schools after leaving the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

In other items to come before the board:

Linzy Hill-Raley and Jeff Fritz

Linzy Hill- Raley, a teacher at Forest Park Elementary, is the latest recipient of the WTHI-TV Golden Apple Award.

Romas said he has nominated many teachers over the years and so few are chosen so this is a great honor.

Meridian Elementary School has been honored among “Family Friendly Schools” for their school and family relationships in 2023.

The board also approved schools in the district to apply for grants to obtain therapy dogs.

“Journey” is a therapy dog working in Brooke Kramer’s special needs class at Van Buren Elementary School.

The dog journeys to classrooms throughout the school and helps students who may be about to “melt down,” Kramer said. “She knows they are going to melt down before I do.”

Journey has been a great help in giving comfort to students at Van Buren, said Principal Gail Williams.

Williams will retire this year from Van Buren. Her replacement, Derrik Taylor, was approved by the school board Thursday night.

Lynn Stoelting was also approved as the new school nurse liaison between the schools and the Clay County Health Department.

The appointment was approved 4-1 with Schopmeyer objecting, “I see this as another thread connecting schools to big government.” She added, “Government needs to stay out of local health issues.”

The grant that will fund the school nurse liaison pays not only Stoelting’s salary but also for items such as immunizations and eye, dental and hearing exams.

Also approved 5-0 was a program that will bring ISU students to Northview High School.

This will help with the teacher shortage,  “which is getting critical at this point,” Fritz said.

The next meeting of the Clay Community Schools board of trustees is May 11 at 7 p.m.