All five elementary schools in the Bowling Green Independent School District will soon benefit from instructional coaches following approval from the district’s Board of Education at a meeting Monday. 

Superintendent Gary Fields said the coaches are full-time positions. Some job responsibilities include helping struggling students, enriching learning experiences for gifted students and helping teachers with lesson plans. It’s a move that’s needed as teachers face growing responsibilities, he said. 

“Ultimately what that will do is help our students achieve at a higher level,” Fields told the Daily News on Tuesday morning. 

The board also approved makeup instructional days for those missed because of snow. They are Feb. 15, March 10 and March 11.  

In a related issue, Fields said he opposes Senate Bill 50, which would require school districts, with certain exemptions allowed, to open school no earlier than the closest Monday to Aug. 26. 

“I think it needs to be a local decision,” he said.