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WashCo BOE member dissatisfied with scheduling of spring break The Washington County Board of Education had 27 action items on the agenda for March 27, but nearly half of them, were tabled because the board did not have adequate information to make a decision. Spring break brought about a long discussion. Elaine Beech objected to the school calendar; specifically the time set for spring break. Superintendent Tim Savage explained that spring break was set as it is so that students could finish the state/federal mandated testing before break. Beech said that in speaking with teachers, they object to the late break (in the past spring break was in March) and she stated that seniors will return to school and have only 9 school days left. She suggested a two day-three day split for spring break. Harold Crouch, spokesman for the calendar committee explained the limitations placed on the committee and said there were representatives from administration, classroom teachers, CNP workers and other support personnel on the committee. He explained that because Washington County has a School on Improvement status, the system is forbidden to begin school before Aug. 11. He explained the committee discussed eliminating the two Mardi Gras days, but the consensus was that this would create excessive absenteeism of both faculty and students. There was some discussion about how shifting spring break would impact the sports schedule and member Nollie Dees said that schools are playing football now in baseball weather and baseball in football weather. Clatis Becton remarked that baseball season began a week earlier this year. Board President Kesler Weaver stated, "I have no problem with sports, but I look at our goal here as education." Becton replied, "There are too many other things interfering with the school day. There is too much going on that is not education. All we have left is about 100 days of teaching time." Savage said the state is considering having a uniform startday for schools all over the state. Crouch asked the board to adopt the calendar which the majority of teachers voted for, and said the calendar committee would begin work earlier next year. The calendar was approved. Textbooks Board members questioned how members of the textbook committee were selected. Juanita Johnson who directs the textbook acquisition for the board stated that the principals of each school send her names of the people selected to serve. Nollie Dees stated that Fruitdale High School has had problems in the past getting textbooks and stated one book they are using has an 18-year-old copyright. Kesler Weaver said some math books were two months getting to Leroy High School. Clatis Becton, board member, asked if some parents might be put on this committee to prevent objections to a book after its adoption. Superintendent Tim Savage said the committee is limited to choose from the stateadopted list of books, and reviewing the list said that several teachers on the list are also parents. Becton emphasized that as a former classroom teacher, it had been his experience that subject area teachers often do not get a voice in the textbook they are required to teach. The committee was approved and the board adopted the recommended reading, literature and driver education books. Federal Programs Twelve items pertaining to federal grants were tabled by the board because of a lack of information. The first two were called "Project Bulldog" and were grants for Chatom Elementary School. The instructors for these two programs are Kim Tooks of Clarke County and Ericka Rainwaters. Tooks will teach drama, theater arts and public speaking. It was never mentioned what Rainwaters would teach. Dr. Fred Thomas objected to the $50 per hour fee that Tooks requested for her services because other tutors and teachers in after-school programs generally are paid $25. Rainwaters' salary was set at $30. This is a "21st Century Community Learning Center" grant and the Washington County board is only responsible for hiring instructors and making payroll, but not for the quality of instruction, etc. Ten contracts for "Save the Children," another federal grant were also tabled. There was a long discussion about the implementation of the program. The two schools involved in this program are Fruitdale High School and McIntosh Elementary. When representatives from "Save the Children" met earlier in the year with the board, they explained that other than the CHANGE coordinator in each school, the other instructors would not necessarily be certified teachers. "Save the Children" would train the five coordinators for each school. Reading from a description of the grant, Becton questioned how a student could get in 19 hours of added instruction per week in addition to the regular school day? Dees wanted to know if the board had the power to terminate these instructors and asked if they would accrue tenure. As the discussion progressed, Savage decided to table these 10 contracts until someone could meet with the board to answer some of the questions. Action Items •Accepted the resignation of Faye Smith, teacher at Leroy High School, effective Feb. 22. •Employed Tammy Jordan as Special Education LPN at Millry High School. •Approved family medical leave for Ranya Warrick at Washington County High School. •Employed Paula Hodge as CNP worker at McIntosh Elementary. •Approved consultant services contract for Gwendolyn Johnson in the Indian Education Program at $25 per hour. •Set the ticket price for all athletic events at Washington County schools ar $5. Superintendent's Remarks •Superintendent Savage reported that out of a fleet of 70 buses, the Washington System had only 2.9 percent rated with a major deficiency. This compares very favorably with the state average deficiency at 3.8 percent. •He announced that Joanee Barnes, county reading coordinator, has received her PhD. •The ARMT (Alabama Reading and Math Test) and the SAT tests will be given the week of March 31 through April 4.
The next Washington County Board of Education meeting will be April 8 at 10 a.m.
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