Hickman Co. Schools, Sheriff’s Dept. will hire SRO

by Becky Meadows
Pictured are, left to right, Hickman County Board of Education members Thomas Dodson, Shannon Dowdy, Caleb Dewees, Martie Templeton, and Matt Hicks. (Photo submitted) Pictured are, left to right, Hickman County Board of Education members Thomas Dodson, Shannon Dowdy, Caleb Dewees, Martie Templeton, and Matt Hicks. (Photo submitted)

The Hickman County Board of Education met in regular session Jan. 24 at the board office in Clinton.

Superintendent Casey Henderson reported that as a result of Snapper Seaton resigning from the Special Law Enforcement Officer position and with the recent change in the Sheriff’s department, that he has been working with Sheriff Ben Natividad to develop an agreement for a School Resource Officer (SRO).
Henderson said that SRO’s are the most common form of law enforcement in school districts.

“Essentially we will have an officer that is hired by the Hickman County Sheriff’s office that is working in our schools,” Henderson said.

“In my opinion, it creates an even better cooperation between our schools and the Sheriff’s Department,” Henderson added, “We want our kids to know that, that presence (Sheriff’s Department) is there if they ever need something.”

Natividad said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to work closer with you guys.” Natividad explained that the change to SRO from SLEO will help streamline the hiring process and decrease the school’s liability.

Natividad said that although the SRO will be a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, the officer’s primary focus will be at the school.

Present at the meeting were Henderson, Principal Richard Todd, Principal Shane Bizzle, Kim Wilson, Christel Nall, Jan Johnson, Perry Collins, board members Martie Templeton, Thomas Dodson, Matt Hicks, Caleb Deweese, and Shannon Dowdy.

The board voted to approve School Resource Officer Memorandum of Agreement with the Hickman County Sheriff’s Department.

Henderson and Natividad reported that they will begin the interviewing process for the School Resource Officer.

High School Principal Shane Bizzle recognized Carly Boaz who was named a first place finalist and $500 prize winner by Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana in the organization’s “Write Stuff” contest for teens affected by cancer. Boaz is a straight A student who plays basketball and softball.

The board voted to approve Martie Templeton as Chairman, Thomas Dodson as Vice-Chairman, Casey Henderson as Secretary, and Kim Wilson as Treasurer of the Hickman County Board of Education for the 2019 calendar year.

The Hickman County Board of Education will meet on the following dates in 2019: Feb. 26; March 26; April 25; May 28; June 25; July 23; Aug. 22; Sept. 24; Oct. 22; Nov. 26; and Dec. 19.

The board passed a motion to make bond issue principal and/or interest payments in the amounts of $10,011.46 (2014B Series), $10,004.74 (2015B KISTA Series), $11,250.62 (2018B Refunding Series) due March 1.

A motion was passed by the board to approve the second 2018-19 SFCC KETS Offer of Assistance in the amount of $4,464 and to match that amount from the general fund.

The first reading of the 2019-20 School Calendar was approved by the board.

The board passed a motion to approve the 2019-20 Draft Budget.

Bizzle reported that the high school has purchased FuelEd online curriculum for credit recovery and general electives for $2,300.

Bizzle said that upcoming events at the high school include ACT Boot Camp at the Young Center on Feb. 6, the Reality Store at the high school on Feb. 8, and the First District Choir Festival on Feb. 12.

Elementary School Principal Richard Todd reported 439 students enrolled in preschool through sixth grade with student attendance at 96.7 percent.

Todd said that Vickie Batts and Melissa Jackson are working to prepare programs and activities for Black History month.
Elementary students have raised more than $9,900 for the playground fund and are continuing to collect box tops and coke lids.

Upcoming events at the elementary school include First District Choir competing at Murray State University on Feb. 12, Valentine’s Day parties on Feb. 14, I Love to Read Week will be Feb. 25-March 1, and Story Fest on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.

Superintendent Casey Henderson reported that Leigh Ann Mangrum and Vianna Nightingale have been approved as substitute cafeteria workers and Allen Boykin as been approved as a substitute custodian.

Henderson said that enrollment is down by two students for the second semester. Current enrollment for students K-12 is 684 students.

Henderson updated board members on progress of the renovation project. Background checks have been received by the contractors. The old cooling towers at the elementary school have been removed and exterior pads have been poured for the new cooling towers that will arrive in mid-Feb.. New roofing on the elementary has been completed and the roof of the gym will be painted in the spring. The prep work (cutting concrete and identifying gas and electrical) has been done at the high school. Gas lines will be reworked to make all lines above ground to eliminate the possibility of having to dig up that area in the future.

It was announced the The Kentucky School Board Association Annual Conference will be held Feb. 22-24 in Louisville.