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West Carroll School Board Adds New Members

Posted
ATWOOD — The West Carroll School Board met Thursday evening, September 1, for their regular monthly session. Prior to discussing any issues on the agenda, board chairman William Robinson gave the oath of office to three new board members, Mrs. Betty Wallace, Mrs. Kelly Weaver, and Mr. Keith Murray, who were elected to the board in the August elections.
 
The board elected officers for the 2022-23 school year. William Robinson was reelected as board chairman, Jeremy Jackson was selected as Vice Chair, Misty Mitchell was named Secretary/Treasurer, and Betty Wallace was named to be the board’s Tennessee Legislative Network Officer.
 
Board members approved the consent agenda which included accepting resignation letters from Bethany Hughes and Brittany Foster along with the minutes from the August 11 meeting. They voted to allow West Carroll’s food service to sell three Hobart Mixers as surplus.
 
School Director Preston Caldwell introduced several board policies that required some changes. Policy 1.102 regarding board members legal status is an updated policy. Policy 3.202 which is the Emergency Preparedness Plan now requires a remote learning drill. 3.205 is the Security policy which needed some rewording. Board member Betty Wallace asked what the chain of command would be in the event of an active shooter. Director Caldwell responded that initially the two SSO (School Security Officers) would be in charge until the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department got to the scene. 
 
Director Caldwell went through several TSBA policies that needed to be changed or adjusted. They included Policy 3.211 New Project Planning required a rewording of the policy. Policy 5.106 regards application and employment now states the school system cannot employ teachers without a license or permit. Policy 5.119 is a new policy which now allows the hiring of retired teachers, if necessary. Policy 6.4031 deals with Pediculosis (head lice) issues. The policy was updated to read that once a student is treated, they can return to class. An example would be the school nurse treating a student and sending them back to class. Policy 6.409 is a child abuse policy that mandates annual training each year.
 
During the principals’ reports, it was announced parent-teacher conferences are September 6 and school pictures are the first week of October in the primary school. It was announced the Junior High was 3-0 (now 3-1) and the High School was also undefeated at 2-0 (now 3-0). Homecoming celebrations are in September for both schools.
 
Director Caldwell reported the school system remains in COVID Phase 3 status. West Carroll has been using a 4-phase system since 2020 to indicate the COVID spread in the school system. Phase 3 places the school system as having minimal spread of COVID. Phase 4 is the goal which is no spread at all.
 
He indicated all of the school buildings are in good shape except for roof repair ongoing at the Primary School. He told the board there have been power outages at the Jr./Sr. High School related to the road construction going on nearby. In closing, Caldwell congratulated the new board members on their election and looks forward to working with them.
 
The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting set for Thursday, October 6.