By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
While students are soaking up the sunshine and enjoying their summer vacation, the Tucker County Board of Education is working diligently to ensure the 2019/2020 school year kicks off without a hitch. President Tim Turner called the meeting to order with all board members present followed by the reciting of The Pledge of Allegiance.
Kim Lipscomb, recommended the approval of the consent agenda actions as presented. The minutes from the June 17 regular session as well as the June 21 special session were approved without alterations. Payment of bills and budget adjustments were also unanimously approved with no adjustments. Additional Business included the adoption of the county procedures to cell phone policy with grammar corrections. Board member Chris Gross made the motion to approve with corrections followed by a second by Vice President Daniel “Chopper” Evans. This motion continued to pass unanimously.
The Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School Student Handbook was reviewed and a motion was made to accept by board member Cathy Hebb with a second by Gross. “I think it’s really strong,” commented Hebb. “I think you all did a really good job on this.” A few questions commenced regarding backpacks, time for locker visits to exchange books, accepted drinks, gum, and snacks, and forms needed to be signed and returned.
Media releases are amongst these crucial forms that will be sent home on the first day of school by the students’ homeroom teachers and need to be signed and returned promptly. A list of text book adoption requests were made for the two elementary and middle schools as well as the preschool program, all which were approved as well. Hebb asked if the books were all electronic versions or if any were hardback, to which TVEMS Principal Kelly Thompson stated there are both included. She also noted TVEMS is close to being back in order and most moves have been completed. She also mentioned Energy Express is hosting an open house at TCHS from 6 to 7 p.m. on July 18.
Lipscomb announced the recommendation by Lambert to employ Heather Clower as the part time Agricultural Education Teacher at TCHS, effective August 14, pending background check and certification. It was also recommended to hire Richard Hull as a Custodian II at DTEMS, also effective August 14, both of which passed unanimously by the board. Within extra-curricular personnel, Michael Cooper was approved to serve as the TCHS golf coach pending certification as well as Joshua Evans as the assistant football coach at TCHS. Prior to the voting of J. Evans, C. Evans. left the room and did not offer a vote due to immediate family relation.
Finance and budget discussion began with a memorandum of understanding between Tucker County Schools and Marion County Board of Education for Audiology Services and for Medicaid-eligible billing services and monitoring. Discussion followed regarding the utilization of this program with Lipscomb explaining. Turner said, “We are fortunate that we can work with other counties because these are services we cannot provide and we cannot afford to hire these.”
Tracy Teets, Finance Director, offered a financial update noting how at last meeting the budget was looking to break even. However, recently Tucker County Schools received just over $74,000 payment from Medicaid for services rendered from the schools. Board member Jessica Wamsley asked, “Are we billing for everything that we can?” Teets and Lipscomb explained the procedure for the services and payment options available for Medicaid recipients, aiding in the understanding of the program.
Teets also gave a general overview of the new education bill that passed late June. Information can be found on how this affects Tucker County Schools in an additional article, along with information from our local representatives. She also mentioned the Mountaineer Challenge Academy is expanding, and for every student who successfully completes their program, Tucker County Schools is billed $3,200.
Before coming to a close, brief discussion commenced regarding the goals of the Superintendent and the upcoming ten year plan. The next regular session of the TCBOE will be Monday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Offices.
