By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
It was a shorter than usual Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 2, however the work session that followed went to extensive lengths. After reciting The Pledge of Allegiance, the general meeting moved directly into discussion items where the main topic was the TCHS early graduates attending the senior class trip. Board member Jessica Wamsley asked Superintendent Alicia Lambert for clarification on what the protocol was for this situation. “Usually it’s not done,” she began as she stated it was due to liability issues and the graduates no longer being a student in Tucker County Schools. She stated most counties have a policy in place to inform incoming freshmen of this regulation or some county schools increase the credit requirements to not allow early graduation. Lambert contacted an attorney regarding the parents request to sign a waiver to allow their child to participate, however she was informed those waivers had a slim chance to hold up in court. In the event something would happen to not only the graduate or potentially someone else due to the graduate, “The school board would be sued in that instance,” Lambert said.
The senior trip destination has not yet been determined as the class is waiting for the outcome of this situation before planning. “Nobody wants to keep them from going on their trip,” Lambert stated. However, teacher and mother of an early graduate Valerie Eye replied, “The kids still feel discriminated against,” especially having worked hard to raise funds for four years for this trip. Wamsley believes this early graduation stems from the transfer to block scheduling versus seven or eight class periods a day, with Board Member Cathy Hebb agreeing. As of now, two of the seven early graduates want to attend the trip and could potentially go on their own, however the funds raised by them could not be utilized in that instance. Eye asked what would happen if the graduates, who are permitted to attend prom and graduation, were to get injured during those functions. A solid answer was not given though discussion commenced regarding prom being classified as a school function because non-students can attend as well. The entire board is disappointed over the situation and Wamsley stated, “What has to come out of this is a policy.” Lambert was informed that during senior class scheduling, Principal Stephen Cosner and former Guidance Counselor Anthony McDaniels told the seniors about this regulation. Donna Cross, mother of two seniors with one graduating early, disagreed stating, “I promise it wasn’t or we would have been here last year.” Both of her daughters present at the meeting disagreed as well saying they were not informed at the time of scheduling. President Tim Turner thanked everyone for attending and expressing their concerns, but due to the topic being a discussion item, no action can be taken.
The meeting continued with the approval of minutes and payment of bills with Hebb asking Financial Director Tracy Teets about a payment in the amount of nearly $5,000 being issued to Frontier Communication. Teets told Hebb that is correct that the monthly bills for the phone services are $4,640. The board then briefly reviewed the calendar of events noting the next regular session will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16 with a work session to follow.
The board members immediately went into a work session where the needs and desires of the three county schools were evaluated and money dedicated to their requests. After the purchase of a new bus and the 4.6% to be returned to the state, the county has $530,666 to work with from the Student Success Act of 2019 (formerly House Bill 206). Lambert has met with the school administrators again since their assigned board meeting to ensure their list of desires were complete and allow them to prioritize their requests to submit to the board. Since last meeting, Lambert has worked diligently to provide as accurate of numbers possible to each request to assist in selecting which items were the greatest needs with the applicable funds.
The first item discussed was the needs of interventionists within our schools. Tucker Valley, due to their size, is in need of two with Davis Thomas needing one. The desired requirements were discussed and decided unanimously that these three positions were of upmost importance and was suggested to be filled.
Wamsley spoke of the need of a third maintenance employee. Turner agreed, saying, “We need a third person because even if two are plowing, we need someone for maintenance work.” Board Member Chris Gross added to the discussion stating a lot more needed maintenance and upgrades could be performed with another individual on staff to perform more routine necessities, such as mowing grass or plowing snow. Requirements and preferences were then discussed regarding the job posting as well as the contract terms.
Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School is in great need of new doors. A grant application will be submitted to assist in the cost, however it was suggested that $50,000 be allotted towards replacing the worst with a request that funds for needs such as this be set back each year. “If we can get the grant that would be great, but what if we don’t,” commented Vice President Daniel “Chopper” Evans. A new, more secure front entrance for Davis Thomas was also on their list, a job suspected to be completed over the summer by the maintenance division, was also recommended to be funded.
Lambert mentioned Tucker County High School kitchen is in need of a frequently used tilt skillet which can no longer be repaired. Also high on their list was a bell and intercom system which a grant will be applied for. Fortunately, though Tucker Valley needs to same amenity, the SBA grant will have enough to cover this request.
Hebb brought to the table the need of full time nursing staff at the schools. Currently, though there are some trained professionals in the buildings, there is only one nurse for all three schools. Hebb requested a full time nurse be stationed at Tucker Valley, which is the largest of the three schools and another full time nurse work between both the high school and Davis Thomas since they are geographically closer. These positions are recommended to take effect for the 2020/2021 school year.
TCHS also requested the installment of a county wide PRO officer that can service all schools, however will be stationed at TCHS. A grant option is being sought out to assist in funding this position.
Turner commented on the need for full time counselors. Wamsley said, “I think there needs to be one at each school.” Fortunately, TCHS already has one full time counselor, but the two elementary middle schools are sharing one. It was also suggested this position be created for the following school year.
Lambert expressed the need for an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant bathroom to be installed at TVEMS. A lift is already on hand, however the location is less than sufficient for ease of use. This is a high priority item to properly accommodate some students and will be addressed soon.
Also on the consideration for funding list is a new heating rack for TCHS, and TVEMS receiving a new dishwasher and three additional cafeteria tables. There were other items on the request list the board feels is of high priority, but are requesting further information and quotes. These items include specific doors and prices for TCHS, which Gross and Evans will be assessing soon, smaller cafeteria tables for Pre-K students at TVEMS, and an annual fee for an upkeep document scanning system. TCHS is also in significant need of a new camera system, however after speaking with OEM Director Kevin White, he feels confident that a grant can be secured through homeland security to fund a project such as this.
None of the items were officially voted on or approved, just considered for approval with discussion on their stipulations and guidelines. More information will be presented at the boards next work session which will follow the December 16 meeting.
