By: Bethany Stephens
The board approved Director of Exceptional Children Services Reida Roberts’ recommendation to contract a person to fulfill part of the duties previously done by Maureen Walsh, an employee that has recently resigned. Following this approval, the board went into closed session to discuss legal matters and personnel.
Upon reconvening into open session, the board approved Personnel List Addendum Action Items as recommended by Antonia Beatty, Personnel Director.
Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, told the board of upcoming dates for convocation for all teachers on Tuesday, August 23, and orientation for new teachers on Tuesday, August 16. Tanya Head, Assistant Superintendent, spoke with the board about concerns expressed by parents of students taking classes through BCC. The parents were concerned about being unable to afford textbooks. The board can’t currently afford to pay for all of the students’ books, but they do have some available to check out to students.
Wilbur Smith, Board Chair, spoke again about the consolidation recommendations that DPI had presented earlier in the meeting. Smith wanted a more concrete plan to be fleshed out and wants more public input. Taylor encouraged the board to talk with the community. If the board decides to consolidate some of the county’s schools, the 2017-2018 school year would be the soonest it could come into effect. If funding is provided by the General Assembly, the Early College, in conjunction with BCC, could possibly be put in place this Fall.
After the meeting, some of the concerned Clarkton community members still present talked some with Board member Gary Rhoda. Being from Elizabethtown, Rhoda didn’t feel like he “had a dog in this fight” though he felt like the board needed to improve the way they managed things sometimes and in who they hired or didn’t hire. Rhoda feels that the board is too inconsistent in their hiring practices by opting to often hire less qualified people due to race or the who they were connected to.
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