RIVERSIDE

SaulPaul, a Grammy-nominated musician and rapper who has performed at five Super Bowls and America’s Got Talent, has agreed to appear at Highland Elementary School as a part of his Be The Change Challenge initiative.

Jane O’Leary, Highland Elementary Principal, told the Highland School Board at its meeting Monday night that SaulPaul will appear in an in-school program in late winter or spring.

His appearance will be free of charge to the school district.

“Super excited to have SaulPaul come and work with kids,” O’Leary told The News.

O’Leary said she spoke with SaulPaul during a recent Zoom call to talk with him about the Be The Change Challenge and his upcoming appearance. SaulPaul’s Be The Change Challenge calls for students to be involved in volunteer projects.

“He’s a pretty interesting character to talk to,” O’Leary said. “I think it will be great.”

SaulPaul appeared at the Iowa School Counselors Association meeting in Des Moines to pitch the program. He also appeared at the National School Counselors Association conference in Austin, Texas.

“Be The Change” is one of the albums he has released.

In addition to Highland, SaulPaul is tentatively scheduled to also appear at schools in North English, Cedar Rapids and Davenport.

Sonya Stanerson, a counselor at Highland Elementary, attended the Iowa School Counselors Association meeting and gave a presentation to the Board.

Since growing up on the streets of Houston, Texas, and actually doing prison time, SaulPaul, whose original name was Adam Neal, has become a musician, filmmaker, author and motivational speaker of faith focusing on kids and volunteerism.

Supplemental Funding

The Board approved multiple modified supplementary fund requests, totaling more than $198,000, with the Iowa School Budget Review Committee.

The SBRC is comprised of five members who review certified budgets for all school districts in Iowa.

Formulas for eligibility for modified funds include the use of enrollments from year to year.

Sports Numbers

The number of student-athletes has increased in three of four winter sports at the high school, including boys basketball (26, up from 20 a year ago).

Girls basketball is down, but just by one student (14, down from 15).

Participation numbers at the junior high level are up in both basketball and wrestling.

Board Action

The Board approved a designation of UMB Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, as the financial institution for the school district.

The Board approved early graduation for student Taylor Forbes.

The Board approved a number of updated school policies.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. January 8.