Longtime board member Robin Whitesell tendered his letter of resignation to the Fulton Independent Board of Education Oct. 15.
Whitesell, having served 15 years on the board, four years as chairman, and vice chairman for five years, was required to resign his position because his residence is located outside the district.
“I attempted to work with the county district for annexation, but was unsuccessful,” Whitesell said. His father, Robert Whitesell, served on the school board for many years, as well.
Whitesell’s resignation comes on the heels of former Chairman Carol Bransford’s resignation in July. Her son-in-law was hired as a teacher and coach at Fulton High School, and Bransford chose to step down to avoid conflict. She served 11 years on the board, board chairman for five years and vice chairman for five years.
Sam Hancock was appointed during the Oct. 15 meeting, to fill the vacancy left by Bransford. The Commissioner of Education will now appoint another person to fill the vacancy left by Whitesell. Debbie Vaughn will serve as chairman until the board elections in January.
In other action, the board:
• agreed to not apply for a Kentucky Emergency Management Grant to purchase a generator. The Fulton County Emergency Management Agency requested the board apply for the grant to purchase a generator that would provide power to the Fulton High School building in the event of needing the building as an emergency shelter.
The board previously approved the use of the building for such use. The district would be responsible for 13 percent of the cost of the generator, which would be $21,295.30 if the least expensive equipment was purchased at $163,810.
Superintendent Dianne Owen said, “It would be hard to come up with in the current budget. It would be a strain.”
Board member Dr. Lee Seng agreed, saying “I can’t see putting that kind of money into something that may or may not happen, versus using that money for education.”
• approved the use of the FHS building for a junior police academy for students ages 12-17.
Sgt. Justin Purcell and Pfc. Doug Love, Fulton Police Department, submitted the request for the academy, which is a course designed by officers. The board will provide any necessary insurance needed. No fee will be required. Owen said the academy will likely begin in November or December.
• agreed to enter into contracts with Fulton County, Mayfield Independent, Graves County, Paducah Independent and Hickman County schools requesting release of SEEK (Support Education Excellencc in Kentucky) funds for ADA (Average Daily Attendance) on students attending Fulton Independent Schools.
• voted to repair the concessions/press box building by extending and repairing the roof, and installing sliding glass windows at an estimated cost of $5,000.
• granted a request by ARC of Kentucky for one student with disabilities to attend school for a shortened day.
• granted Monica Maddox a leave of absence due to illness under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Oct. 12-22.
• approved fundraising requests: middle school boys’ basketball team to conduct a free throw shoot-a-thon Oct. 17 in the FHS gym, to cover expenses for the 2009-10 season; FHS football team to sell surplus football jerseys Oct. 16-23 at home games. Funds will be used for football travel.
• declared air conditioners as surplus property and disposal through sealed bids; and declared computers, printers, a projector, and television as surplus to be disposed of.
• learned 418 students are currently enrolled in the district, a difference from 423 last month.
• learned of the resignation of Michael Thomas, assistant football coach.
