[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF WALTON-VERONA, KY, INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

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                             HON. KEN LUCAS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the Walton-Verona Independent School System, in Kentucky's Fourth 
Congressional District, which I represent.
  The school district has set a state record by not having a dropout in 
three years. In that same time period, 209 students have graduated. And 
once again this year, nobody has dropped out, and 76 more students are 
on track to graduate in May.
  As part of the district's anti-truancy program, the school attendance 
officer, who is a sheriff's deputy, checks on students who are truant 
for two consecutive days. The deputy actually goes to the student's 
home and takes the student to school in a marked cruiser. Also, a 
retired principal works with families to help solve problems that often 
lead students to drop out, such as health problems, eating disorders, 
pregnancy, and divorce.
  The district's anti-truancy program, called SAFE, which stands for 
Schools and Families Empowered, was funded in part by a federal grant 
that is now expiring. The good news is that the Northern Kentucky 
Independent Health District is so impressed with the program that it's 
stepping in to help fund it.
  Walton-Verona's dropout-free record is a noteworthy accomplishment, 
and is a wonderful example of what small school districts can do when 
they are forced to make the most of limited resources. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in commending the outstanding students and 
dedicated staff of the Walton-Verona Independent School District on 
such a remarkable dropout rate.

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