The Haywood County School Board met on February 12 with a full agenda. They recognized the HHS Academic Decathlon team for their success at regional contest.

They recognized the five new 30+ Club members – Connor Coulston, Amy Davis, Ryan Watson, Emma Baumheckel and Emily Pilant.

They also recognized Teachers of the Year: (from left) HHS Career and Tech – Denita Jarratt, HHS – Brian Ivey, Anderson – Krista Parker, Haywood Elementary – Dawn Lovelace, East Side – Wendy Piercy, East Side- Katrina Hill, Haywood Middle School – Merry Bond. Krista Parker was chosen as the District Level Teacher for Grades 1-3; Merry Bond was District Level Teacher for Grades 4 through 8; and Brian Ivey is District Level Teacher for Grades 9-12.

In other business, the board accepted a new bid on the Tornado Safe Space at Haywood Elementary School. Henson Construction Company of Jackson, Tennessee, won the bid coming in under budget at $1,383,716. This project will only cost the county $50,000.

Board members also approved on second reading Policy #6.304 – Student Discrimination /Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying.

Board Chairman Harold Garrett announced that the state is changing the Adult Education program. Haywood County will still have an Adult Education Department, but the state is cutting back the programs from 87 in 95 counties in Tennessee to 46 programs. Brownsville will be grouped with Madison and Crockett counties with Madison County taking over the administrative part of the program, thus saving the state money. This will take effect July 1.

The board also approved out-of-state travel for the HHS Baseball team, under the direction of Coach Chris Messer. They will play in the Lone Oak Invitational Baseball Tournament in Paducah, Kentucky, March 29-31.

In answer to a request by Mrs. Peggy Jackson, Family Resource Center Coordinator, the board approved the Statement of Agreement between Anderson Early Childhood Center and Family Resource Center and United Way of West Tennessee. She also asked for approval to submit the Community Impact Application to United Way of West Tennessee. Money used from this funding will be used to purchase new books for the Reading is Fundamental “Book Jam” program for Anderson, Haywood Elementary and East Side Intermediate School.

CFO and Deputy Superintendent Vincent Harvell reported that the Catherine Truss Colhoun Trust, that is used to provide scholarships to HHS seniors each year, had a balance of $215,783.99 on December 31, 2012.

He also reported that GCA, the company that provides Haywood County Schools custodial and lawn care services, has made a commitment to the HHS REACH program to offer two $2,500 scholarships to graduates of the program. Mr. Harvell said that GCA gives awards to a school each quarter based on the cooperation and support of the staff and students in keeping their building clean. Along with recognition by the GCA staff, the school receives a gift of $100 to its student activity fund. East Side has received the award, and Haywood Elementary is the most recent recipient.

Three amended policies were presented to board members for approval on first reading. These were Policy #5.113 – In-Service and Professional Learning Opportunities, Policy #6.201- Compulsory Attendance Ages, and Policy #3.202 – Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013