PINEVILLE — Pineville Independent Schools were pleased Monday night to meet with Ronya Mason, a second grade teacher who recently earned National Teacher Certification, an achievement held by less than 2 percent of U.S. teachers.

Mason entered the program to receive the certification in August of 2008 and was awarded certification last month. The strenuous curriculum requires a lot of time and hard work, but teachers who complete the program take away valuable lessons that will affect their students for years to come.

“This whole process really reminded me that it was about the students and what they need,” explained Mason, “We know that they should drive our assessment and instruction, but sometimes we forget that.”

Teachers who earn their National Teacher Certificate receive a $2,000 annual salary increase from the state. Superintendent Michael White and the school board also voted last night to add $1,000 from the school’s budget to the salary of Mason and any teacher who earns the credential. Currently, four more Pineville teachers are working toward that goal.

Prinicpal Bobby Bennett announced the instigation of an after-school Primary Academy for grades K-3. The program will work to expand current in-school efforts to advance student reading skills. Beginning January 12th and running through May 31st, the academy will be open four days a week and include 90 minutes of instruction, a meal, and a break. Students will attend on a voluntary basis and transportation will be available.

The project will be funded by the Elgin Foundation, which provides such aid to progressive districts in low-income areas that meet high academic standards.

In further efforts to increase literacy skills, Pineville Elementary teachers will learn new techniques in reading training from a visiting expert after the new year.

Principal Keyes of Pineville High School updated the board on the success of the Think-Link program, a computer-based method of preparing students for state tests and college entry exams. The program tallies scores of students to identify the subjects that are least understood by the student body. Teachers can then spend more time on those areas in class and out thanks to the tutoring program.

In financial matters, school board members were please to receive a very positive report from Auditor Troy Gaw. Gaw reported that all findings from the previous year were corrected and no problems were found for the current year.

“The staff and administration has certainly done a spectacular job,” commented Gaw.

The board voted to accept a modest offer of SFCC technical assistance, in addition to the sum previously awarded, as well as funds from a race-to-the-top grant. Acceptance of the funds came after much discussion in light of recent state decisions regarding public school funding.

While an offer of resources is always appreciated, some state decisions that reallocate money allotted for education to balance other parts of Kentucky’s budget, has caused some concern. The race-to-the-top funds for example, will be split between the school and the state, meaning the district will only receive half of the money awarded. The controversial proposal to dip into public school contingency funds also remains a concern.

The school remained a haven for those suffering power and water outages due to recent weather on Monday, housing about 10 people that night. Thirty-five more had used the temporary shelter and returned home with restored utilities.

Lorie Settles is a correspondent for the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at correspondent@middlesborodailynews.com.