CCSB Approves District's First List of Local Groups for Volunteer Hours

RISON - Rison High School Principal Letitia Walker unveiled the first list of local groups/agencies that students can volunteer to meet the required community service hours they will need to graduate under the LEARNS Act. However, Walker said how the state wants those volunteer hours will be documented and tracked is still unclear. Walker presented the list to the Cleveland County School Board during its regular monthly meeting Monday night at the administration building. In addition to hearing about the community service hours, the board also accepted the resignation of Cleveland County Head Start Director Laura Burns. Superintendent Jerrod Williams said she has agreed to stay on until a replacement for her is found. Those local non-profit organizations approved by the board where students can earn community service hours include the Green House Cottages of Southern Hills nursing home, the Cleveland County Courthouse, the Cleveland County Head Start Extended Day program and the Cleveland County Youth Sports Association. While those were the groups presented Monday night, other local groups have expressed an interest in getting on the list as well, including those affiliated with the Kickstart Cleveland County Community Development Initiative as well as the digital skills learning program that will be administered through Cleveland County Broadband Committee. Walker told the board there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered regarding if a certified staff member must observe the volunteer hours and what forms of validation will be required. She said she has been unable to get any definitive answers about the new requirement from the state so far. Under the new LEARNS Act, students in the 9th grade for the 2023-24 school year will be required to have 75 hours of community service in order to graduation. Superintendent Jerrod Williams said the law requires students to complete 15 h...