Making up snow days was the major topic of discussion at the Fulton Independent Board of Education meeting, March 9.
Options debated included attending school on two Saturdays; attending March 15 and 16, originally scheduled days off for students; making up the snow days at the end of the year, which would require rescheduling graduation.
Gigi Milner, Carr Elementary kindergarten teacher, spoke on behalf of the majority of the elementary school, requesting the calendar change not affect the days off in mid-March, as she said those days are crucial at this time of year.
“This is a time that the students need a break. We see the noise level rise and the attention level lower,” she said, adding the teachers also need a break. High school teachers preferred making the days up March 15 and 16.
After much discussion amongst teachers, administrators and board members, it was agreed upon to change the calendar to reflect as follows: March 15 was set for Parent/Teacher Conference, with students attending March 16. Students will attend May 20, and have early dismissal May 21. Closing day is set for May 22, as well as graduation that night.
Also during the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Wendell Benningfield presented a lengthy report on the District Improvement Plan, through Advancing Student Achievement to Proficiency.
Benningfield said many of the targeted areas in the plan have been met by the administration and students.
In other business, the board:
• authorized the superintendent to enter into a contract with Liljequist and Associates Psychologist Consulting LLC to complete or conduct needed testing for children to determine their educational needs. The school district has a full-time guidance counselor/school psychologist who is presently on medical leave. In order to remain in compliance on testing dates of students, the board needs a contract with a psychologist to provide testing.
Cost of the services are $75 per hour of services rendered for intelligence testing and integrate psychoeducational reports ($300) and $600 for full battery assessments. The contract will expire June 31.
• agreed to hire RBS Design Group to work with the Local Facilities Planning Committee to create a Local Facilities Plan for the district.
The Local Facilities Planning Committee must begin the process of updating and re-writing the plan for submission to the Kentucky Department of Education for approval.
• approved for a first reading, changes to the board policy regarding meal charges. During the February meeting, the board approved for a first reading once a student reaches $20 in charges, and the school has not received a response from parents/guardians concerning the charges, a call may be made to the parents/guardians, and students may be provided an alternate meal (sandwich and milk) until the charges are paid.
Board member Dr. Josh Whitledge suggested keeping the $20 cap on charges, and adding to the policy that a la carte items should be provided for cash only. The board agreed. The policy will be brought back for a second reading at the next regular meeting.
• authorized Board Chair Debbie Vaughn to set a meeting date and time with the Chair of the Fulton County Board of Education for a joint meeting of the two districts. The special-called meeting agenda will be announced at a later date. Some of the items suggested by board members for discussion include shared costs, transportation, classroom activities, and advanced classes.
• selected Jeremy Dunn’s $290 per mowing bid for lawn care services for the 2010 mowing season. A total of five bids were received, and Dunn’s was the lowest.
• accepted the School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) offer of assistance in the amount of $5,381, and match it with local funds.
The SFCC annually makes an offer of assistance to local districts to support technology implementation in the schools. The offer is based on fiscal year 2009 statewide Average Daily Attendance (ADA), and must be matched by the school board or can be escrowed for up to three years.
• recognized students’ achievements, including: ATC Information Technology Student of the Month for February, Quinton Tribble; District High School Governor’s Cup Indivual Winners, Kelsey Wireman, Alexis Rush, Brandon Carter, Ionee Patel, India Fair, Shelby Jones, Austin Ferrell, and Tori Seng; District High School Governor’s Cup Team Winners, Shelby Jones, Alexis Rush, Stephanie Sikes, Jack Jones, Brandon Carter, and Tori Seng; Poetry Out Loud winners, Jordan Forrester, Gregory Wheeler Jr., Georgia Leach, and Dvonte Newbill; and Present-ations/Demonstration, Hailey Baggett, fourth grade speech, and Susannah Whitesell, fifth grade demonstration.
Whitesell demonstrated making a flower out of paper, and gave each board member a flower.
• heard a report of the superintendent’s evaluation. Board Chair Vaughn read comments from administration, all favorable of the job Superintendent Dianne Owen is performing in the district.
“This is my 25th year with the district, and I love it,” said Owen.
• approved two fundraising requests: a coin drive conducted by the Y-Club for the school’s Relay for Life team; and a dessert fest conducted April 24, from 1-3 p.m. by the Drama Club. The revenue will be divided between the Drama Club and the school’s Relay for Life team.
• heard an enrollment report, and learned 408 students are currently enrolled in the district, which is the same as the past two months.
• approved the appointments of Ashley Yates and Anthony Steele as Emergency Certified Substitute teachers; and Laura Lovell and Rachel Atwill as Classified Substitute Teachers; and the resignation of Wayne Lohaus as head coach of the high school girls’ basketball team.
The next regular meeting is set for April 13, at 7 p.m. at the Board of Education Office.
