staff writer
06/03/09
Amy Garmon
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With the recent adoption of block scheduling, the Obion County School Board continued to amend policies better suited for students for the 2009-2010 school year, during the monthly meeting June 1, at South Fulton Elementary. Several amendments were made to board policy 6.2 regarding attendance. The first amendment simplifies the excused and unexcused portion of the policy. Modifications were made to incorporate requirements for time-for-time when student absences become excessive, adopting an attendance point system, while the third amendment separated the attendance hearing section of the policy into grades K-8 and grades 9-12. These amendments were read and approved upon the second reading. Currently there are 28 credit opportunities for students. Under block scheduling it will be possible for students to earn up to 32 credit hours. It was approved by the board, upon the second reading, to increase the minimum requirement of 22 credit hours to graduate to 26 credit hours. However, the new requirement will be gradually implemented to allow current students, not having as many credit hours as incoming freshmen, to meet guidelines. Last month the board awarded the bid submitted by Townsend Systems to install door access controls in South Fulton Elementary School for $19,400. According to Director of Schools, David Huss, the bid from Pro-Tec Security was accepted for $11,438.12 for additions to both Lake Road and Hilcrest Elementary. However, Pro-Tec security submitted the bid for $11,438.12 only if they were awarded the bid of $21, 295 they submitted, for South Fulton Elementary to install door access controls. Since South Fulton Elementary was awarded to Townsend, Pro-Tec descended the bid for Lake Road and Hilcrest.
Townsend Systems agreed to complete the additions and honor Pro-Tec Security’s initial price of $11,438.12, which the board approved. Sharon Connell gave an update on the adult education classes offered through the school system. “I think it has been a great success,” Connell said. According to Connell 156 people between the ages of 17 and over the age of 60 have enrolled in the classes. Graduation for the classes will be held June 18 at Obion County High School. Grants have been sent for next year’s coordinated school health program according to Heather Kendall, who presented the board with an update. Four of the goals included in the grant focused on increased parental involvement, suicide prevention and education, preparation for crisis situations, making student wellness a priority. According to Kendall, suicide seemed to be a bigger concern than obesity rates, with South Fulton Elementary having the best percentage of healthy weight students. In other business on the agenda: • General athletic fund budgets were approved. • The board gave Huss permission to participate in the CEO Professional Development Program. • Mary Lynn Dodson, Lesa Scillion, James Faulkner, Cynthia Rainey, Adam Stephens, and Dennis Buckelew were appointed for one year to the Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority Board. • A request from Obion County Central High School coaches to hold instructional basketball camps for the students of Obion County, and to receive salary supplements from the camp was approved. • The board approved Huss’s recommendation to hold athletic practice during the school day beginning with 2009-2010 school year. • The annual agenda for the 2009-2010 school year was approved.
