By Holly Nine
The Clay County Board of Education meeting was held at H.E White Elementary this week. Originally, the meeting at H.E. White was scheduled to be held in February, but due to weather, the meeting had to be postponed until now. The first thing on the agenda for the Monday, April 13, 2015 meeting was to approve the agenda, the minutes from the previous meeting and they payment of current bills. The board members then moved to approve the 2015-2016 school calendar which will put staff back in school on August 17, 2015 and students returning August 20, 2015. This schedule would give students and staff the traditional week off for Thanksgiving, a two week break for Christmas and New Year, and making the last day of school on June 3rd.
The next item on the agenda was to approve funding for the Clay County Library in the amount of $11,337.50 for the 2015-2016 year, as per the terms of the excess levy call. The amount is the same that was approved for the previous school year. The board also approved the transfer of Julie Horrocks from Substitute Cook II at Clay Middle (Jo Carver’s former position) to Cook II at Clay County Middle School. Also, the board approved a Land Lease Agreement with Lessor, David S Derby and Julia J. Triplett and Lessee, Clay County Board of Education and H.E. White Elementary School, which is a three year lease and can be renewed as long as both parties agree.
Board members approved the out of state/overnight trip for Clay Middle School NJHS/Student Council and Chaperones to Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park and Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 5, 2015 to June 7, 2015. The students have been raising money themselves and only need a bus for transportation. The board also approved the out of state/overnight trip for H.E. White Elementary School 5th grade students/chaperones to Norfork, Virginia to tour Battleship Wisconsin and to Virginia Beach, May 15, 2015 through May 17, 2015. There are a total of 13 students going on this trip and they have raised the money for the trip and only need a bus for transportation.
The board then met with the H. E. White Elementary School Improvement Council and they graciously thanked the board for their continued support. The board recently painted H.E. White and provided a fence to protect the children and they have a full time Title 1 teacher and a full time special education Teacher. Melanie Dolin, president of the H.E. White Elementary School Improvement Council asked for the support to partner with the high school to build a storage building. Mr. Tanner commended all of the staff members for the appearance of the school saying “It is very welcoming and colorful”.
