Fulton County School library awarded grant funding

A Special Called Meeting for the Fulton County Board of Education was held Oct. 25.

Superintendent Aaron Collins reported one resignation from Makenna Barnett, Preschool teacher; one transfer, Jena Haney from food service assistant to preschool assistant; and the hiring of two new employees, Aimee Olive as preschool teacher for the new preschool classroom, and Nicole Webb as food service assistant. Carla McClure will fill in as a preschool teacher until January.

Collins asked Ashley Coulson and Sally Goodman to discuss a grant the schools received.
“When I found out about this grant and money I spent hours and hours picking out books. The grant is called Book Start, and went from October to September. Ms. Sally knows more about the grant. I’m going to share the library part, which is what I’m excited about. I was able to spend money a couple of years ago and received lots of books because of the grant. The purpose of the grant is to improve literacy skills and Ms. Sally was able to work with birth through second grade, and I was able to purchase books for all students. Fulton County and Fulton Independent were the recipients of the books. Not only do the books serve the students, but also the kids at home. The grant was for $868,000. I didn’t realize the amount until today. Ms. Sally was able to distribute four books a year,” reported Coulson.

“Distribution is up-to-date, fiction and non-fiction, print and non-print for both schools. Mostly books, but we also bought headphones, each classroom received tablets and headphones for preschool through second grade, with all the books we had to have three plus stickers for each book, and bookshelves. We were able to get 10 new bookshelves. The library has changed tremendously the last few years,” continued Coulson.

“A couple of the bookshelves were built at the Four Rivers Career Academy by Terry Sullivan and Larry Miller. They actually are built better than the ones I had,” reported Coulson.
“The two favorite books the students have read, kids I didn’t even know liked to read, are biographies and sports books. Both are 2016 through 2018 books. We went from 10% of our books were newer than 2008 to now 29% are newer than 2013,” said Coulson.
“New books added to the library in three years totaled 9,472,” added Coulson.

“The next step is to get the book list updated, edited and complied into one list for Fulton County for the teachers,” stated Coulson.

Sally Goodman said, “A long, long time ago, my old buddy Terry Prince said somebody had the insight at Fulton County to join the consortium for innovative education, which is what Todd Warren at WKCTC is director. I was looking and Sean Caldwell sent an email to his parents saying he was looking for some retired teachers. Nobody wants a full-time job for two years, but if we can find a retired teacher to work part time. This was the first time I interviewed my entire career, 30 something years of teaching and no one ever interviewed me. The beautiful thing was I had a little concern the kids are such tablet babies now that maybe a new book would be as exciting as it was to me. All I had to do was be seen through the windows with my wagon and I would come through and it was a joy.”

“I was at a theatre in Martin and a little girl came up and said you are her, you’re the ‘book lady’. This old Granny makes Walter a little scared, but I can do anything $100 at a time. We established a Chapter of Dolly Parton the Imagine Library. It is not active, and that is my fault, because I don’t get a lot done. But that will change and I will be hitting you up with a community celebration. We have a few individuals and my church made donations and we probably have enough to run the first two years, but we have to get started. As a Chapter we don’t pay for the books, only the postage,” continued Goodman.

“I encourage you to stop by the library. Ashley has done an extremely good job stocking it,” reported Goodman.

Collins stated, “The Youth Football program played Martin, Tenn., about a week and half ago and several Martin parents praised how nice and respectful our teams were. Not only the players on the field but also their parents. They have no hesitation to come and play in Hickman.”

The Gear-Up Program includes $9.8 million over seven years. It was reported the job for the director was posted and will be out of the Western Kentucky Education Cooperative. Fulton County will receive a career coach to help the students of Fulton County and Fulton Independent, to will benefit middle school to high school students.

Collins reported he had just found out Fulton County was awarded a fresh fruits and vegetables grant, the first grant Julie Jackson has written and received.

PaTrice Chambers updated the board about non-resident students attending Fulton County Schools specifically examining students from Fulton Independent.

The matter is to be addressed further at the November Board meeting. In 2013-14, Fulton Independent students coming to Fulton County were 14; 2016-17 was +10; and this year currently 53 students attend Fulton County Schools from Fulton Independent. If you put a base number of approximately $10,000 per seat you see what the calculations what those dollars look like. This is just information.

Enrollment figures showed Oct. 2008, PreK through 12th student enrollment was 642, today with the new Preschool classroom the enrollment is 642.

Kindergarten through 12 Oct. 2008 was 582, and today 564. PreK through 12th enrollment has increased 9.50%, while K through 12th enrollment has increased 8%.

Collins informed the board of a lockdown Wednesday, with administrators debriefed Thursday morning and proper procedures and policies were.

“I also wanted you to understand Ms. PaTrice’s announcement last month about High Attendance Day. We won every category. Elementary was 99.53% for the day and was fabulous. The Middle School was 98.88%, and the High School at 98.84%. Attendance is holding at our goals and higher than last year at this time,” reported Collins.

“Ms. Julie shared with Administrative staff, Fulton County Athletics so when people from other schools visit our campus they know exactly the expectations we have for our parents, faculty, staff and players and those visiting and where to park their bus and pictures of administrators, so if there is a problem they can say I have a problem and go and get that person,” reported Collins.

Young Leaders in Action submitted a trip request to go to Louisville and Lexington. This group has been a state, regional, and national winner.

Jennifer Davis, Fulton County Schools Financial Advisor, reported year-to-date revenues at $1,188,685.53, or 25.5% of the budget. Year-to-date expenditures are $766,747.11, or 16.45% of the budget.

Prior year revenues at this time were $814,000, only 20% of the budget. Prior year expenses were at $726,500, 18.49% of budget.

“We are in excellent shape for the first quarter,” reported Davis.