By Holly Nine
On Monday, March 16, 2015, The Clay County Board of Education held their bimonthly meeting at Clay County Middle School. During the meeting, board members recognized students from Clay County Middle School. Anita Stephenson spoke on behalf of the students to thank the board for their continued support. The CCMS cheerleaders and Leslie Goe were recognized for their championship at the CWVAC competition. Also recognized were the CCMS Varsity Lady Mustangs for their CWVAC championship and for their great sportsmanship towards their fellow rival team, Calhoun Middle School.
Hunter Tanner joined the board members as a ‘guest’ board member. The middle school band and Mr. Doug Wayne were also recognized during the board meeting for their hard work and their determination and love for music. Three students performed for the board and the guests at the meeting. Neil Wilkinson played the drums and Desiree Smith (clarinet) and Kayla Dozer (flute) also played. The CCMS Band typically scores a 1 rating wherever they go.
To continue the meeting, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Then, the board approved the Proposed Levy Order for the 2015-2016 school year which is estimated to bring in $510,009. The board then approved changes to the 2014-2015 schedule which included making Good Friday a school day for students and staff. Spring break was not taken away to make up missed school days. The state superintendent, Michael J. Martirano, Ed.D, is trying to get a state wide waiver approved to disregard the 2 days missed during the most recent snow storm in which the Governor issued a state of emergency. That will make the last day for students June 11, 2015. Mr. Tanner has not received anything yet and it could be after spring break before anything is heard on this decision.
The board then discussed the motion to rescind the transfer of Sandy Jones from Cook II at Clay Middle School to Cook III at Clay Middle School. Next, the board approved to transfer Jo Carver as Cook II to Cook III at Clay Middle School.
Next on the agenda, the board approved the employment of Danny Fitzwater, Joy Pope, Jerry Stover and Brian Greenlee as substitute teachers, effective immediately. The employment of Sonya Williams and Barry Payton as volunteer softball coaches at Clay County High School were also approved.
Next, the Board addressed the resignation of Mackenzie Langman as Math Teacher at Clay County High School, effective immediately, and the resignation of Dr. William Mann as French Teacher at Clay County High School, effective June 30, 2015. The resignation of Brenda Griffin McCutcheon as handyman/woman was approved, effective immediately.
The next item on the agenda was to approve the in state/overnight trip for the Clay Middle School and Clay County High School TSA Students and Chaperones to attend the State TSA Conference at Cedar Lakes on March 26, 2015 through March 28, 2015. The out of state/overnight trip for the Clay Middle School Band Students and Chaperones to Pittsburgh, PA visiting the Tanger Outlets and Carnegie Science Center May 1, 2015 through May 2, 2015 was also approved.
The board also met with the Clay County Middle School LSIC Committee. Anita Stephenson spoke and requested that the board consider giving certain areas of the school a make over with paint and the materials and man power needed to do so.
The board spoke with T.J. Legg about an extension being built onto the wrestling practice building at the High School. The project would extend the building 42 feet in length and continue the width of 50 feet. The Little League Wrestling team will provide the funding for this project through fundraising the money they already have to put towards the project. Cam Stewart has donated the slab for the extension of the building. The board approved as along as everything is up to code. This project could also be a building experience for the carpentry students at the High School.
The 2015-2016 school calendar survey results compile school to start on Monday, August 17, 2015 for staff and Friday, August 21, 2015 for students. The survey was taken by teachers, staff, students and parents and had over 600 voters. The survey also gave results that voters chose to have a two week break for Christmas and New Years again this year, as well as the traditional week off for Thanksgiving. The final motion on the agenda was the location for the Board of Education Meeting for Monday, April 13, 2015 which will be at H.E. White Elementary School. There will be an end of year educational trip proposal presented to the board at that meeting.