The county social studies project winners presented their research at the March 5 Board of Education meeting. Students’ topics included the origins of eyeglasses, the history of board games, baseball great Roberto Clemente, and the impact of video games on our culture.
Contracts for next year were discussed. The tele-speech services contract provided by Integrated Speech Solutions and a separate contract for an on-site speech service personnel was provided. The two contracts would cost approximately $105,000.
The board currently pays $125,000 to employ two speech language assistants with supervision. Acceptance of the tele-speech services would result in the two assistants losing their positions in the school system.
“Administratively, we’ve looked at this, and we are comfortable with the change. I understand the concern about the employees, but if we do not accept these contracts, it is going to have a negative impact on our special education department as a whole. Because those savings we were to benefit from are intended to be used in other areas of special education,” Superintendent Campbell said.
The board voted to not accept the contracts. Contract clarifications will be sought, and another vote on the contracts will be held at the next board meeting.
A reissuing of the current occupational therapy and physical therapy contract was approved.
During the public citizens’ input of the meeting, AJ Rapp thanked the Board of Education and administrators for their support throughout the work stoppage. “Through all this time it’s been great collaboration,” Rapp said. He also expressed his support of renewing Dr. Campbell’s contract as superintendent.
As the work stoppage ended, make up days are being scheduled into June, concern was expressed at the meeting for the impact those make up days might have on students and their families. “I am starting to be very concerned, more so, about our children,” Judy Fairbanks said.
The graduation and senior trip dates will remain the same despite the work stoppage. If students do not attend make up days in June, the absences will be recorded like any other absence.
In accordance with a prior agreement, St. George Medical Clinic presented the board a check to help incentivize better attendance and reward students and teachers with excellent attendance records. “I thank St. George for partnering with us,” Superintendent Campbell said. The check was for $2,500.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19 at 4:30 at the Board of Education Office.