SFMS/HS soccer to join softball on SFES campus

Among items included for discussion by members of the Obion County Board of Education Monday night, was the proposal for a new soccer field at one county school, and a request for direction on a pre-planned overnight student trip.

The soccer field proposal, not a part of the original night’s agenda, but requested as an addition prior to the adoption of the agenda, was presented to board members Fritz Fussell, Keisha Hooper, Barry Adams, Kyle Baggett and Shannon Hogg, first by Director of Schools Tim Watkins, with assistance from South Fulton Middle/High School Principal Kimberly Jackson and Kelly Stubblefield, a parent whose daughter participates in the girls’ soccer program at the school.

In the information provided to each board member, it was explained currently the soccer teams share the field used by the South Fulton Youth Football/Cheerleading League, on property owned by the city of South Fulton and formerly used as the football field for South Fulton MIddle/High School.

During the girls’ soccer season, underway simultaneously with the Youth League Football program, Watkins explained issues arise with practice and game scheduling.

In the proposal, it stated the field and facilities, over 50 years old, are in a state of disarray and disrepair.

“Much like any other small town town, the City of South Fulton has limited funds by which to operate and maintain services for its citizens; therefore, updating and maintaining this property is far from their priority. It has been mentioned that the current field has lights on it that a new field would not have. This is true, however based on the age and condition of the lighting system, they may not come on the next time and the city will no spend the money to repair or replace the system. While lighting is nice, it is not a necessity. Many of the soccer teams’ opponents’ fields with no lights,” the proposal stated.

Watkins told the board that according to the information he had been provided, the proposed construction of he field would be at no cost to the school.

Stubblefield reported the Tennessee Army National Guard had expressed interest in performing a majority of the work required; South Fulton native Bart Netherland, with LDA Engineering, an employee owned Civil and Environmental Engineering firm, had been contacted and agreed to assist with the project; and Jeff Morris and Farmers Lime had committed to seeding and fertilization.

The total projected cost was $83,000-$109,500, with Stubblefield confirming no costs anticipated for the project.

The proposed site would be adjacent to Lee Field, the SFMS/SFHS Girls’ Softball Field on the campus of South Fulton Elementary School, with an option to tap into an already existing water source.

SFMS/HS Principal Jackson said locating the soccer field adjacent to the softball field would also assist in assuring staff supervision at two locations when necessary, instead of three, as the softball and soccer games would be at the same location and the football and baseball games would be at the same location, on the high school campus.

Chasity Homra, Obion County Central High School’s Competitive Cheer Coach, addressed the board, regarding her request previously placed on the agenda for the board’s approval of an overnight student trip.

She explained the trip previously scheduled for the National Competition in Orlando, Fla. Feb. 3-9, in light of the current circumstances related to covid-19, had caused concerns and a number of factors were still yet to be determined, as to whether the competition was still going to be held in person, was going to be postponed, or was going to be revamped to include virtual competition.

Homra said while a $50 per person deposit had already been placed on the airline tickets, the remainder of the cost for the $182 per person ticket would be due by Dec. 31, before the next scheduled board meeting. After Dec. 31, the rate would increase to $220 per person. The airline tickets could not be refunded, she said, and only a credit could be issued to be used by February of 2022.

She said she had contacted the hotels where reservations had been made and a refund could be issued.

Homra updated the board and Watkins on all safety precautions in place to “keep the kids safe there, just like I do here everyday” and said she had spoken with the parents of student participants regarding the itinerary which would include no eating out, catered meals brought in, masks at all times, no park visits, and designated bus seating and rooming.

Board Chair Fussell said while he was not against the trip or the competition, and understood that each parent could have the option of traveling with their own children at any time, he was apprehensive to give the appearance that the school system was endorsing the trip, as team members could have mixed feelings about concerns over travel, and yet not want to impact the team as a whole.

Board member Keisha Hooper urged Homra to explain to the competition’s coordinators that they should quickly come to a decision as to whether the competition will be held, or in what capacity or when it will be held, a decision which could alleviate some of the pressure for the board and or the school system to come to a decision. Homra said she would contact the decision makers regarding the competition, but to date, the status of the competition was still undecided.

Hooper also said she had concerns about the distance, in the event illnesses did occur, and quarantine was necessary.

“Florida, especially Orlando, is high in cases of covid right now,” said BOE member Barry Adams, adding his concerns were about the safety of the students.

Fussell also noted that there could be repercussions after the 30 plus students return to the local classroom after having traveled out of the area.

Homra said she had consulted with all parents of the students and their concern was related to an incident which could occur right before the scheduled flight, such as students being required, at the last minute, to quarantine, after having come in contact with a student who tested positive.

Adams made the motion, seconded by Baggett, to meet in special called session Dec. 30 at 5 p.m., to review the circumstances and be made aware of any updates on the matter, with the board unanimously approving the motion.

The Board approved a revision to the Board Policy #5.110, Compensation Guides and Contracts for Professional Employees, which designated the time frame and implementation of advanced degrees earned by employees which could result in an increase in pay.

He suggested staff members who will received an advanced degree which could result in a pay rate change for the upcoming school year, according to Obion County Schools salary schedule, must notify the Director of Schools in writing by June 1, in order for the salary increase to be included in the Obion County Schools’ budget.

Failure to notify the Director of Schools of a degree advancement by June 1 will result in delay of compensation until the following school year.

Degrees must be comleted and all transcripts and paperwork must be submitted to and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education prior to Aug. 1, to be included in the salary calculations for the staff member’s contract.

Degrees completed between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31 will not be included in a staff member’s salary until the second semester of the school year provided all transcripts and paperwork are submitted to and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education, prior to Jan. 15.

Any degree completed after Dec. 31 will not be recognized until the next school year.

In a review of the personnel report, resignations were listed for Courtney Boane, Food Service at Hillcrest and Ginny Barnes Food Service at Lake Road.

Retirements included Keith Cochran, Custodian at Lake Road; Lisa Stem, Educational Assistant at South Fulton Elementary; and Bill Gray, Government/Economics Teacher at South Fulton Middle/High School.

Teresa McFarland, Educational Assistant was transferred to South Fulton Elementary and Leaves of Absence were listed for Sherry Atkins, Educational Assistant at South Fulton Elementary and Debra Cash, Bus Driver at Lake Road.

New hires for Obion County School System included Kayla Anderson, Educational Assistant for Hillcrest; Laura Gooch, Educational Assistant for Black Oak; Beverly Gidcumb, Educational Assistant at Ridgemont; Kayla Wright, Educational Assistant at Hillcrest; Maria Ortiz, Food Service at Hillcrest; Brenda Morehead, Food Service at Ridgemont; Britney Choate, Food Service at Ridgemont; and Hanna Hopper, English/Language Arts Teacher at South Fulton High School.

Substitute teachers approved for the system included Madelyn Hogan, Garrett Foster and Kellie Henson.

Board members reviewed the solicited bids for nine Interactive Learning Panel Systems to be use in self-contained special education and preschool classrooms, with three bids received. Watkins explained the description of the Learning Panel Systems could be comparable to a “75-inch i-Pad.”

Central Technologies submitted a bid in the amount of $24,674; TouchIT Technologies bid $26,103; and Howard Technologies bid $20,475 for 65” or $23,905, 75”.

Watkins recommendation was to accept and approve the bid from Central Technologies for $23,905, with the board approving his recommendation.

In the Director’s Report, Watkins updated the board on the receipt of a ship date for computers for students, to be delivered by Dec. 22, however no quantity for that shipment was available.

He also commended the school system’s principals, administrators, nurses and staff for the extra work duties related to the day to day operations, such as documenting direct contacts each time a positive covid test is reported, for determination of required quarantining, and shared the most recent CDC guidelines in place regarding quarantines, seven days with a negative test result and no symptoms.

Board members Tim Britt and Jared Poore were absent.