Following up a 2017-18 academic year that received national recognition, Elizabethton City Schools is looking to build off the momentum for the coming school calendar.

The system’s Board of Education will meet Tuesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Central Office to discuss a variety of topics, including the implementation of new positions revolving around the Bartleby Program and final steps needed to prepare for the system’s Back to School Bash.

After earning national recognition two years ago for their Bartleby Program idea from the XQ America organization, Elizabethton High School was able to get the ball rolling this past school year with the first-year of two classes formed thanks to the program — Community Involvement and Entrepreneurship.

It was a year that netted positive gains, according to Bartleby Director Terry Smith. Prior to the end of the school year, the school system hosted a “pitch night” to recognize students’ achievements in creating businesses and staying active with various community projects.

Due to the school’s conservative spending methods with award money granted from XQ America, Bartleby Program is in line to receive various grant monies to help bolster the program’s effectiveness in the coming years.

Growth is to be expected due to the success of the first year, and the additional funds coming to the system. Multiple projects are expected to be funded thanks to the awards, including the creation of an open-area theater space in the commons area located near the entrance of the high school.

But with the additional growth comes the need for additional manpower. The Board will look at creating three additional positions: Bartleby Coach, Bartleby Project Coordinator and Bartleby Community Partnership Coordinator.

While the Board reviews the potential of implementing the three new positions, they will also look at approving a contract with Thomas Weems Architect worth $15,000 to make improvements to the program at the school, including the schematic design for a collaboration learning space, dining hall commons and makerspace laboratory.

Tuesday’s meeting will include the Board looking at approving the purchase of school supplies from Bluesource, worth $11,000, for the 2018 Back-2-School Bash. The proceeds are from the donations acquired from community partners.

Elizabethton’s third annual event will be held Saturday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at Citizens Bank Stadium and will feature 1,000 free backpacks full of school supplies being made available to students. Backpacks are being made available to all attending students from grades K-12.  The event is free and open to the public and feature other resources, including health and education vendors, inflatables for children, lunch and other activities. The event is planned and presented by the school system, East River Park Christian Church, the Carter County Health Department and Elizabethton Police Department. Individuals wanting to learn more about the event can visit Back-2-School Bash 2018 Facebook event page.