Lance Rider (center, front) answers questions regarding the McKenzie trapshooters organization. Also shown, to either side of Rider, are coaches Warren Hartz and Paula Doster. Doster is also a high school sponsor of the senior level teams.

McKenzie trapshooters' teams moved closer to their goals Tuesday, March 1, as the McKenzie School Board approved, with modifications, two of three requests. The group had hoped to be recognized as a school club as part of the 4-H shooting sports and to "reap the same benefits as other school-sponsored clubs." Also requested was that team members be excused from school to represent McKenzie at local, state, regional and national events including the make-up of missed school work and that the absence not affect their exam exemption status. Finally, the group had requested that team sponsors be allowed to chaperone the events without the necessity of using personal leave days.

Concerns about liability prompted school board members to approve the McKenzie trap teams as "part of the 4-H shooting sports and to reap the same benefits as other 4-H sponsored activities" rather than as a school club. Similarly, team members would be excused from school for any "4-H program approved" events. The status was expected to afford members of attending all competitions, which typically take place on weekends. Last year members missed three days, according to program director Lance Rider and this year have missed one day so far.

Team members will have insurance coverage under the 4-H program. Students and parents are required to sign statements regarding safety policies and procedures.

The board approved the motion of Joe Fortner to postpone a decision on the third issue pending further investigation. He hoped to receive clarification from the state regarding teacher involvement in other 4-H activities outside of school hours.

Five teachers were approved for advancement from apprentice license to professional license at the request of the principals of each school. They were: high school teachers Bert Snow and Jeannine Lowe, middle school teacher Kimberly Smith, and elementary school teachers Beverly Bennett and Melissa Bartley.

Ward explained the teachers' ten-year professional licenses are independent of re-employment status or tenure.

A resolution was approved establishing an occupational safety and health program. Ward explained the adoption of the program puts the school district in the public sector and precludes TOSHA (Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Occupational Safety and Health) fines that he said could be $500 per day, were infractions discovered during that entity's review of the school system. TOSHA's involvement comes about due to insurance coverage afforded the system as a member of the Tennessee School Board Association, according to Ward.

The safety and health program requires, in part, that the school system identify hazards and potential hazards, develop and maintain methods to prevent or control existing or potential hazards, and train managers, supervisors, and employees to understand and deal with work site hazards.

"We're going to be pro-active in this," said Ward, mentioning training and education that he expects will reduce the number of workers compensation claims. "We'll reap the rewards later in fewer claims and a rebate from the pool," he added.

In other business the board:

Approved on first reading an amendment to the policy manual regarding board members legal status to read: "No member of the county legislative body nor any other county governmental official shall be eligible for election as a member of the county Board of Education. The word "county" in the previous version was "local" in the first two instances of the new word in the sentence. "Board of Education" was previously defined neither as local or county. The change coincides with the reading of state law T.C.A. 49-2-202(a)(1)(2).

Ward said Jill Holland's participation on the school board as well as the city council is not relevant as the city is not a funding entity for the school system.

Approved on first reading a change to the private vehicles policy that requires volunteer parent drivers to provide proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage in the form of an insurance certificate issued to the insured indicating limits of at least $100,000/300,000/50,000.

Approved the extension of the ground maintenance contract with U.S. Lawns, locally owned by Jim and Bart Smith. The original contract provided for as many as three one-year extensions of the contract at the original price. The bid, at $13,176, was the lowest of some 15-20 proposals, Ward said, with the highest being about $32,000.

"Since I've been here, they're the best we've had," he said.

Approved a change in travel regulations to allow an increase in per diem rates from $35 per day to $38, in keeping with changes at the state level.

Heard Ward advise six persons were added to the substitute teacher roll, including Kevin Castleman, Krystal Cooper, Amy Rabas, Elizabeth Sims, Susan Neill, and Marjorie Zaidan.

Were advised spring break is scheduled for March 21-25.