JCHS to receive $12K as part of School Recognition Program

Junction City High School is one of the 175 schools across the state receiving additional state funding as part of the Arkansas School Recognition Program.

The program is designed to give financial awards to schools that experience high student performance, student academic growth and high graduation rate.

Of the almost $7 million allocated to schools across the state, Junction City High School will receive $12,395. JCHS is the only school in Union County to get part of the funding.

“I’m extremely proud of our students, teachers for their hard work and dedication. I do want to thank the Arkansas Department of Education for having a program that recognizes students and the school’s hard work,” said Joy Mason, JCHS principal. “What I’m really proud of is, we have teachers, faculty and staff here that want to get students to that graduation time. We see students doing what it takes every day to finish so they have better opportunities.”

The Arkansas School Recognition Program was designed to provide financial awards for the top 10 percent of highest-achieving schools across the state. Schools in the top 5 percent can receive up to $100 per student, while schools in the top 6-10 percent can receive up to $50 per student.

“I am proud of the leadership of the educators,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in Monday’s announcement regarding what schools are in the program. “I am thankful for the support of the parents and communities, which is vital for this level of success. And I applaud the students who have worked so hard and earned their way into the top 10 percent.”

Schools can allocate the money to faculty and staff bonuses, educational equipment and materials, or employment of people to help with improving or maintaining student achievement at a campus.

Each school that gets the reward must form a committee made up of the principal, a faculty-elected teacher representative and a parent representative to decide how the money will be spent for their school.

For Junction City, Mason as JCHS principal will be serving on the committee. She said she hopes the money will allow the school to continue to grow.

“It’ll just increase the programs that are available to students, but also the equipment,”

Mason said. “It’ll help us purchase more pieces of equipment that will make it easier for students to interact.”

Michael Shine may be reached at 870862-6611 or mshine@ eldoradonews.com. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.