Director fares well in evaluation; Obion County Schools consider masks optional

Following action taken by the Obion County School Board Monday night, students and staff within the Obion County School System will no longer be required to wear face coverings or masks at school.

Director of Schools Tim Watkins reported to BOE Chair Fritz Fussell and board members Keisha Hooper, Tim Britt, Barry Adams and Shannon Hogg, during monthly board session May 3, that following Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order last week, it was at the board’s discretion as to whether a face covering policy would be adopted.

“We currently have 10 quarantined in the school system. If you remember, earlier in the school year, we would have 100-200 in a day. Also, county wide, the numbers are down, at 5% positivity rate,” Watkins said.

On a motion by Hooper, the board unanimously agreed to not adopt a face covering policy, and proceed to “Phase 4” of the school system’s plan enacted during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic onset.

While Watkins said masks or face coverings would still be considered as recommended, none would be required, effectively immediately. Board member Keisha Hooper confirmed the practice would remain in effect until further notice, and would be subject to review in the event circumstances required other action.

A resolution was approved by the board, to Suspend Board Policy for the 2020-2021 school year. The “Hold Harmless” resolution would allow determination as to what degree state testing scores would impact students’ final grades, ultimately allowing the inclusion of those scores only in the event the addition would be a “positive” for the student’s final grade.

A longtime educator, coach and administrator, Dale Hollowell was honored by Watkins and the board members, for his 41 years of service in education, 26 of those years in the Obion County School System. Most recently, Hollowell has served as Assistant Director of Schools. Upon his retirement, Dr. Greg Barclay will be his replacement.

Board Chair Fritz Fussell announced the results of Watkins’ recent evaluation, noting he achieved a score of 4.1 overall out of 5, receiving several 5’s and 4’s from board members. The board approved the extension of his contract by one year, and the implementation of a 2% raise for Watkins.

“You have done a great job. In a year that required us to either sink or swim, you were excellent,” said board member Tim Britt, commending Watkins.

“We have good people here in our school system,” Watkins said.

Board member Keisha Hooper was reappointed to the Athletic Advisory Committee, and a proposed agreement from the city of Union City, for use of tennis courts by the Obion County Central High School Tennis Team was tabled until more research is completed regarding other options. The City of Union City had proposed a $5,000 per year fee for the team to use the courts.

Nikki Netherland presented the Extended After School Program annual review to the board, sharing information on the number of students served by the program, both in-person and virtually over the course of the 2020-2021 school year. She reported the recent notification of $221,000 annually to be received for the program, the next three years, up from the previous funding of $195,000 per year. This year, Netherland said, 220 students were served.

In following Watkins’ recommendation, the board chose to reject all bids received for a sound system at Obion County Central High School, to allow for compiling an upgraded spec list for potential bidders.

“We have the opportunity to do better with new specs and still be within budget. But we would have to rebid,” Watkins said.

Another item listed on the agenda, prior to the acceptance of the night’s complete agenda, was deleted, regarding the Consideration and Approval of Permission to Apply to Form a School Support Organization for the Obion County Middle School Baseball Program for the 2021-2022 school year. No action or discussion took place in regard to the item.

An overnight trip was approved for the Obion County Central Volleyball team to participate in training this summer in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Four buses and one car, designated as property surplus, were approved to be disposed of via the most economical method, and a bid for an intercom system at Hillcrest was approved, submitted by Townsend Systems in the amount of $24,000.

Also approved for bid was 54 projectors and 63 screens, with Central Technologies as the successful bidder at $34,943.

In the personnel report, listed were resignations from Britney Choate, Food Service, Ridgemont; Cherylann Pigg,

Custodian/RM; Cindy Thompson, Custodian/Lake Road; Debie Cash, Bus Driver/LR; Lisa Wade, Food Service/SFMS; new hires, Mary Medley, Food Service/OCCHS; Sherry Rudd, Food Service/Hillcrest; and leaves of absence, Joni Holdeman, Food Service/RM and Jane Bailey, Guidance Counselor/SFE.Substitute teachers approved included Brandon Jones, Lanna Moore and Kaitlin Scott.

In the Director’s Update, Watkins stated 10 new Kindergarten-third grade teachers would be hired county-wide, to create a student to teacher ratio of 13 to 1 or 14 to 1 in those grades. The hiring is to be funded through federal funds, at no cost to local taxpayers and with no impact on the school system’s budget. Also included in the federal funding will be the addition of a Kindergarten-second grade Literacy Coach.

Soon to be hired, Watkins said, will be an employee in the central office to oversee “millions” in government funds, in regard to management and compliance responsibilities.

In the School Recognition portion of the meeting, South Fulton High School Beta Club was recognized for recent placing in competition, with advancements to the national level, as well as South Fulton High School HOSA participants, who advanced to the national level of competition.

Board members Kyle Baggett and Jared Poore were absent.