PINEVILLE - Pineville High School has received a major honor - it is one of two Kentucky schools to win the prestigious National Distinguished Award.

Pineville Independent Schools Superintendent Mike White explained the importance of the award to the people gathered for the school board meeting. “Each state selects two schools for recognition as Title One Distinguished Schools. Pineville High School was selected in the category of closing the achievement gap between student groups,” explained Superintendent White. “Title One schools will be honored at the national conference, January 28, in Long Beach, California,” he added.

No Child Left Behind is a state project, in each school, that closes the gap between students of different groups and categories.

“For us, we talk about At Risk kids versus those not at risk and certainly our high school and Ms. Paula Goodin and staff are to be commended on the tremendous job that they have been able to do, by closing the achievement gap between those students and raising our test scores at the same time, With No Child Left Behind,” Superintendent White stated.

Pineville schools were nominated by the State Board of Education for the award. Two schools are nominated from each state, each year. Along with Pineville schools, Mason County Intermediate School was nominated for the award.

Pineville Independent Schools have applied for a BG1 with the state. It is a statement to the state education department on how the school is going to expand and how the project will be financed. Pineville's application is in the area of technology.

“It is going to have high-speed Internet access with fiber optics and white boards in every classroom. To be able to do that we have applied for and received a five-year, no interest New Market Tax Credit loan and also for being in a coal region, Coal Severance money is going to pay approximately $10, 055, of the loan, each year. We are going to use our KETS Matching Fund, that was given from the Facilities Commission, as well as capital outlay money. We have been able to put that package together and we are going to have the white board technology and high speed access in every classroom,” explained Superintendent White.

UNITE representatives, Cathy Woolum, Donnie Caldwell, Carla Costanzo, and Paul Anglin were present to introduce their new director and programs. Donnie Caldwell will continue to present his anti-drug teachings at the school, while working with UNITE. Caldwell will be responsible in getting a number of anti-drug use projects started in area schools. One of the first project is a Parent/Media Campaign.

Pineville students, as well as those across the state, are required to complete an Individual Learning Plan. The program is designed to help students bring together their academic achievements, extracurricular experiences, and career and education exploration activities. The project is designed to enable the student, parents, teachers and counselors to work together to develop course of study that meets the student's needs and goals.

Pineville schools' Average Daily Attendance for the third month is 95.57 percent. The elementary school has a 96.5 percent average for the third month and the highschool attendance is 94.5 percent. The average rate is up slightly from last month.

C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.