Arlington Community School board members heard a presentation on development of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for middle and high school at the Feb. 24 meeting.
Target job areas for the Memphis area include transportation, distribution and logistics; health services and healthcare; information technology and business services; and advanced manufacturing. The U.S. has 26 million STEM jobs, which are available to students with a post-secondary credential or training, paying, on average, between $53,000 and $64,000 annually.
ACS plans include two sixth-grade classes of STEM Explorers and two seventh-grade classes of STEM Innovators, as well as an eighth-grade class of STEM Design.
Elementary talent
Prior to the presentation, the ACS board meeting was as lively as a circus with performances by the deft Arlington Elementary’s juggling team, led by Chuck Halford. They entertained meeting spectators by tossing balls, rings, blocks and juggling clubs in a dizzying array of skills to the tune of “Jailhouse Rock.”
The Arlington Elementary Chorus, led by Sarah Smith, also sang the national anthem.
Other business
- School board chair Kay Williams praised former school board chair Dale Viox for the board’s “Customs and Procedures” manual he created and presented in December.
- Superintendent Tammy Mason said the district is currently at the 50 percent repayment level for the district’s bridge loan used to kick off the school year. The final payment will be April 1.
- A family also addressed the board with grievances and recommendations to stop alleged discriminatory practices. (This is a developing story. See our online edition for details.)
