BOE, Director of Schools to gather data on Middle School consolidation

Among items listed on the agenda for the March 4 regular session of the Obion County Board of Education was public input from a parent group, to request board consideration for the formation of a Middle School, for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students currently attending Lake Road, Hillcrest, Ridgemont and Black Oak Schools.

Board members in attendance for the meeting at Black Oak school Monday evening included BOE Chair Fritz Fussell, Keisha Hooper, Barry Adams, Tim Britt, Jared Poore, Kyle Baggett and Shannon Hogg. Director of Schools Tim Watkins was also in attendance.

During the new business portion of the agenda, Kayla Yates, a representative of the group interested in pursuing a consolidated Obion County Middle School, addressed the board, requesting board members’ consideration for the creation of a School for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who currently attend school at Ridgemont, Lake Road, Hillcrest and Black Oak Schools within the county.

Those four schools house grades preschool through eighth at the present time.

South Fulton Elementary’s campus serves grades preschool through fifth, with students in grades sixth, seventh and eighth housed at the South Fulton Middle/High School campus, in a wind separate from grades ninth through 12th.

Yates, who read from a prepared informational statement, first noted she was an alumni of Obion County Central High School.

She said she had secured a petition, gaging support for the idea, which she submitted to Watkins, noting she had contacted, personally 189 people, including parents, teachers and coaches within the school system, asking for their input on the proposal.

Yates cited the possibility of more advanced classes offered to all middle school aged students in the system, instead of only a select few students in only some of the campus classrooms, more active parental involvement for a consolidated middle school, to compensate for a lack of the same currently at some of the school locations for that age group of student.

She said she envisioned more academic and extra-curricular activities available to students should their be one middle school campus, as well as more funding on the federal and state levels for the middle school grades, due to the current status of four of the county’s schools designated as elementary schools, but which also house sixth through eighth graders.

Yates said she had questioned athletic coaches, in consideration of sports programs for a consolidated middle school, and most had said the positive would be the availability to formulate a true Junior Varsity team aspect, as well as Varsity teams.

“For nine years, these students who attend these individual schools now, participate in rivalry between the schools, academically and in sports. Then, they get to high school, and the last four years, they are supposed to work together and develop this comradery. Wouldn’t it be better to have these sixth, seventh and eighth graders have a softer and more controlled transition into an environment with different administrators and faculty, instead of waiting until high school,” she said.

Yates said she could imagine more opportunity for ACT preparation, through advanced classes, as well as expanded options for student participation such as art, drama, band, music, wrestling and other non-sport-oriented extra curricular programs.

She told the board she believed the school system was losing highly qualified teachers and students, to other school systems who offered more through these means.
“I believe we will have more opportunities to excel, if we explore consolidation for a middle school,” Yates said.

She then asked board members if they had any questions.

Board member Kyle Baggett asked how many students currently were enrolled in grades six through eight in the county’s system.

“We have about 600 kids, is what we are talking about,” Watkins said, adding to accommodate that number strictly for curriculum to include English, Math, Science and Social Studies, 18-24 teachers would be required, not considering instruction in physical education, band, special education and other addition programs.

“Logistics, location, staffing, financing, transportation...I could keep going all night, “ Watkins said, in regard to topical questions which would require research.

“I can come back with numbers, estimations, all the things to think of. Where are you going to put it? I can ‘pretend’ it could be at any one of the four elementary schools. I could ‘pretend’ it would be a new building, which would be from $20-$30 million to build. Notice I said ‘pretend.’ Say, if we pretend we would put it at Black Oak, just because we are meeting here tonight. If we put a middle school here, students in pre-k through fifth and all their teachers would have to go somewhere. This would involve more than just the sixth, seventh and eighth grade,” Watkins said.

Board member Keisha Hooper asked about Yates’ gathering of “pros and cons” from other school systems which incorporate a consolidated middle school, noting that the Obion County School System already incorporates a separate Middle School for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at South Fulton.

Yates said not many K-8 schools exist any more, however the consolidated middle schools did seem to experience fewer fights, decreased behavior issues and strengthened team work among students once they reached high school after having been together during middle school years.

Board member Jared Poore said consideration should be given to what is best for the students, county and system.

“I know you have 189 people you have talked to. That’s quite a few names. We would probably have to have a town hall meeting to get a good pulse as to whether or not all the people within each of our districts, within the county, would want to consider consolidating,” he said.

“I know you have done a lot of work and spent a lot of time on this. To me, you can’t make a decision at this time. We represent a district. I know it takes time to get 189 signatures. But I feel like we have to get the feedback from our constituents....go back to them and talk about it and discuss it....I am sure, because the media is here, we will get a lot of calls about this, probably starting tomorrow,” Board Chair Fritz Fussell said.

“If enough people want it, we do have a duty, to look into it,” said BOE member Tim Britt.

Watkins said he would like to see the Board members gather input, and he, in turn, will research information and numbers to bring back for discussion.

“If this were to happen, it will not happen quickly...as in not in the Fall of 2022. If it happened, it would not only have to have this board’s approval, but after that, it would have to have the approval from the State Department of Education, as a new school,” Watkins said.

He also asked the board to email him with any suggestions as to questions or matters to research about the proposed middle school consolidation.

Discussion took place regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 Best for All Grant Overview, with the Obion County School System having been named as a Best For All award recipient.

The total allocation for the FY22 grant, presented to the designated school systems, is $200,000.00, with the approved funding application to include:

• Week of Pre-Kindergarten Camp for those students behind through screening to close the gap prior to start of kindergarten – funds 5 teacher stipends of $1,000/each

• Summertime Bootcamp Transition Day for 8th graders to OCCHS – funds 5 teachers’ daily rate and 2 counselor’s daily rate.

• Funds 47 wall mount smartboards to be purchased – for all Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th Grade Classrooms; and 2 - 2nd Grade classrooms not covered by other grants. (NOTE: ESSER 3.0 and TN ALL Corps Grants will be funding smartboards for 1st and 2nd grade classrooms during FY22)

• Funds reimbursement cost of Praxis exam 461 Special Education Modified for 10 teachers.

• Funds purchase of vehicle to be used by school social workers for travel required as a part of their job-related duties.

With local educational agencies (LEAs) required to update the ESSER 3.0 Public Plan every six months through Sept. 30, 2023, each time, LEAs must seek public input on the plan and any revisions and must take such input into account.

Provided to the Board in their meeting packet, was the ESSER 3.0 Public Plan-Federal Relief Spending Addendum, for their review and approval.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief 3.0 (ESSER 3.0) Fund under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021. Funding was provided to states and local educational agencies (LEAs) help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

In the Fall of 2021, LEAs developed and made publicly available a Public Plan for Federal Relief Spending.

All plans were developed with meaningful public consultation with stakeholder groups. Like the development of the plan, all revisions must be informed by community input and reviewed and approved by the governing body prior to posting on the LEA’s publicly available website.

The plan was approved, with Watkins reporting little to no changes had been made since the beginning of the school year as to the spending of the ESSER funds.

Additionally, the board provided consideration in a review of the Safe Return to In-person Instruction and Continuity Plan.

With that plan, LEAs are required to update the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan every six months through Sept. 30, 2023. Each time, LEAs must seek public input on the plan and any revisions and must take such input into account. The purpose of the plan is to keep stakeholders informed.

As to the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan Addendum, information provided stated the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief 3.0 (ESSER 3.0) Fund under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021.

Funding was provided to states and local educational agencies (LEAs) help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

In the fall of 2021, LEAs developed and made publicly available a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.

All plans were developed with meaningful public consultation with stakeholder groups. LEAs are required to update the plan every six months through September 30, 2023, and must seek public input on the plan and any revisions and must take such input into account. LEAs also must review and update their plans whenever there are significant changes to the CDC recommendations for K-12 schools and to ensure the plan is current.

Like the development of the plan, all revisions must be informed by community input and reviewed and approved by the governing body prior to posting on the LEA’s publicly available website.

Among data provided to update stakeholders and address the requirement was information in the plan including:

• LEA and school representatives have conducted group conversations with stakeholders to gain insights into the development of the revised plan and revisions going forward.• LEA has sent out a new Microsoft Forms survey to stakeholders to inform them of proposed spending plan and request comments to use in development of the revised plan.• LEA has held a public Board Meetings in which the public was informed of the proposed spending plan and given the opportunity to approve or reject, as well as make comments in development of the revised plan.• Information has been made available on our school website, school newsletter, and media outlets with a link to the survey to obtain comments from stakeholders in development of the revised plan.

As to the engagement of the Health Department in the development of the revised plan:

• Obion County School representatives and local health department officials have communicated to determine needs for the safe return to school of our students.• Communication also included information regarding available vaccinations and boosters.• Communication is on-going regarding updates on cases in the county to use this information as the Board determines our phase of operation.

Updated adopted policies and a descriptions health and safety strategies included: Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies• Materials specifically for individual students so no students sharing supplies • Seating spot markers on carpets, in classrooms, and in cafeteria so students remain socially distanced• Plastic divider sheets on tables to allow for group work• Special classes to keep class sizes small• Doctor’s notes allow for some medically at-risk students to be provided with distance learning. Physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding)• Encouraged where at all possible in our buildings• When students are in groups requiring close contact, they are encouraged to wear masks

Hand washing and respiratory etiquette is conducted with students which includes covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using tissues and throwing them away properly, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer after touching face or nose. Each school has signs posted in or near restrooms to remind students of hand washing and respiratory etiquette.

Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities included improving ventilation, as Custodians have increased cleaning times during the school day by wiping down doorhandles and areas students have touched on a regular basis and disinfectant is sprayed on carpeted areas in the evenings to maintain healthy facilities.

Students are trained on the correct wearing of masks which includes hand washing before putting a mask on and properly fitting the mask to the face covering the nose and mouth. Depending upon the phase the District is in for reopening, and thereafter, currently remaining in Phase 1, students can go from having to wear masks to masks being recommended.

The board approved the plan, as recommended by the Director of Schools.

Listed for board review in the Personnel Report were resignations for February, Nancy Sanchez, Teacher/Obion County Central, Ashley Clark, Educational Assistant at Hillcrest, Hailey Stacks, Custodian/at Hillcrest, Travis Johnson, Principal at Hillcrest, Ali Daniel, Teacher at Hillcrest, Simone Wisdom, Nurse at Hillcrest.
New hires listed in the personnel report included Chris Stephens, Social Worker/County Wide, Ryan McMackin, Teacher at Hillcrest, Klayton Hagan, Teacher at Ridgemont, Alicia Singleton, Food Service at South Fulton Middle/High School, Julie Everage, Teacher at Lake Road, Brenda Dunn, Custodian at Hillcrest, Shaina Quick, Educational Assistant at Black Oak.
Randy Mitchell, Christopher Schmidt, Kristina Wenz, Payton Rice, Brandi Glisson, Conner Terry and Grace Smith were included in the March Substitute Teacher Approvals.

Overnight trips, recommended by Watkins, and given board approval included Obion County High School Softball team trip March 31-April 2 to Camden, Waverly, Tenn., for a softball tournament; South Fulton High School HOSA convention to Knoxville, Tenn., March 27-30; Obion County Central High School Band, to Kodak, Tenn. April 29-May 1 for a Music In the Parks concert band festival; Obion County Central FFA to Nashville, Tenn. for a Legislative Breakfast; and Hillcrest fourth and fifth grade science students to Dover, Tenn. for a field trip to Brandon Springs.
The bid for E-Rate Networking, Mini-bid, from Central Technologies, the only bidder, in the amount of $385,548, was accepted and approved, with the Obion County School System to utilize federal funds for the bid, and the system to provide only 20% of the total bid.

The adoption of a new board policy, #6.4032 was presented for the board’s consideration and approved regarding Bed Bugs, as recommended by Coordinated School Health and School Nurses.

In the proposed policy, no student shall not be denied an education solely by reason of bed bug infestation and his/her educational program shall be restricted only to the extent necessary to minimize the risk of transmitting the infestation.

It shall be the responsibility of the principal or school nurse to notify the parents in the event a child has bed bugs. A letter shall be sent home by the child to explain the condition, requirements for readmission and deadlines for satisfactory completion of the treatment.

Prior to readmission, satisfactory evidence must be submitted to school personnel that the student has been treated for bed bugs. This evidence may include but not be limited to: (1) proof of treatment with a bed bug product, or if circumstances deem necessary proof of treatment by a professional pest management service. (2) satisfactory examination by a school health official. Treatment and prevention procedures shall be developed by the director of schools in consultation with the school nurse and distributed to all classroom teachers. These procedures shall also be distributed to the parent/guardian of any child that has bed bugs.
Any subsequent incidents of bed bugs for a student during the school year shall require submission of satisfactory evidence of treatment for bed bugs and be found free of live bugs by a school health official.

A student shall be expected to have met all requirements for treatment and return to school no later than two (2) days following exclusion for bed bugs. All days in excess of the allowable period shall be marked as unexcused absences and referred to the attendance supervisor at the proper time.

The Obion County Central High School Lady Rebel Softball team submitted their request to Watkins and the School Board, to declare old uniforms, bags, and helmets as surplus, with their intent is to sell the surplus items to interested individuals. The proceeds from the sales will be used to provide additional funds for extra uniforms and equipment needed for the softball program, the request stated.

The request to surplus included 150 jerseys at $5 each; 50 pairs of pants, at $5 each; 20 helmets at $10 each and 20 bat bags at $10 each.

The School Board approved the request to surplus.

In his Director’s Report, Watkins shared with the board, that for the first time in close to two years, there are no active cases of Covid in the Obion County School System.