By Jennifer Britt
Tucker County Board of Education welcomed a new face, Kevin Gill, the new Executive Secretary, accepted the position at the TCBOE Central Office on January 20, 2022. Formerly the position was held by Debra Fike. Fike was promoted to Payroll Coordinator on January 4, 2022. Also in attendance was Paul Pennington, TCHS FFA advisor and Alex Cork with a school testing update and a request for dual credit policy for the students.
Pennington was in attendance with his students who attended the FFA Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana in October. Pennington’s students explained the experiences they encountered during their visit. Emily Snyder, student, said how amazing it was to look across the convention and see how many students were attending. Students were shoulder to shoulder in a sea of 6,500 people. Pennington stated he’s learning as they go just as well as the students. Board member Jessica Wamsley praised the group for their effort and enthusiasm for the FFA.
Cork updated the board on testing scores for the students across the board. Students are doing really well in the reading section on the high school level. Elementary, however, are scoring on a lower level with the Algorithm Benchmark scores. The scores help determine where students need a little extra help, what skills they need and where they need to be placed within the school system. The testing, according to Cork, seems to be working. Cork explained more students are putting in more effort on the test and spending more time on the test. School test scores are in a much better position than a year ago by taking slow and steady steps.
Cork also presented a policy proposal to the board. Currently high school students can take college courses at Eastern Community College but only receive college credits for the courses. With the proposed dual credit policy, students can not only receive the college credits, but also high school credits for needed classes. The policy will allow students to get the college credits at a cheaper rate and a head start on classes before actually attending college. All classes that are currently available to students will still be available. Even if they are not considered dual credit. Cork believes Tucker County students are not any different from other students in the County. “We are moving the ball down the field,” stated Cork.
February 1 came with new COVID guidelines for students and staff. There will be no quarantine under the mandatory mask mandate, unless a test comes back positive then it is a quarantine for five days. No longer will students have to stay home under quarantine when exposed to COVID by other household members. Parents are to monitor their symptoms and if they run a fever or test positive then they are to remain at home. After five days the students/staff are to return to the school.
The next regular meeting of the Tucker County Board of Education will be held on Monday, February 21, 2022, at 4:30 p.m., at the Tucker County Board of Education Office, 100 Education Lane.
