When the Haywood County School Board met in regular session Tuesday night, February 11, they announced the 2013-14 Teachers of the Year, approved a new policy and several resolutions, approved the purchase of a new bus and agreed to begin visiting newly constructed schools for long-range planning purposes. They also approved an agreement with United Way, heard budget amendments and a report on the Catherine Truss Colhoun Trust.

On second reading, school board members approved Policy #6.413, Prevention Treatment of Sports Related Concussions.

During her “Celebration of Haywood County Schools,” Superintendent Teresa Russell talked about the HMS and HHS basketball teams’ success this year; HHS student Kyle Sills, who was invited to attend a Marine Biology program this summer; Equavious Barbee and Devonte Briley signing scholarships to play football at Tusculum and Bethel, respectively; the HHS Decathlon teams placing second and fourth in regional play and advancing to state; and several health sciences students who advanced to the state contest. She announced, too, that Haywood Middle School had recently inducted 49 new members into the Junior Beta Club, and that Anderson Early Childhood Center recently held a Family Night and more than 400 students and families attended.

She completed her celebration with an announcement from the Tennessee Department of Education. East Side Elementary has earned the title as an “Award School” for being on the Reward School Cusp List as one in the top 6 to 10 percent of schools for performance measured by a one-year success rate.

Then Mrs. Russell announced the 2013-14 Teachers of the Year. Selected at each school were: Anderson – Elizabeth Becraft, Haywood Elementary – Stacie Lefave, East Side Elementary – Kathleen Holmes, Haywood Middle School – Morris Long, Haywood High School – Patricia Hopper, HHS Career and Tech – Julie Taylor, and REACH Academy at Sunny Hill – Julian Stanz. Ms. Lefave also received District Teacher honors for Grades K-4; Ms. Holmes received the District Teacher designation for Grades 5-8; and Mrs. Hopper, the District Teacher for Grades 9-12.

The Tennessee School Boards Association drafted two resolutions for the board for approval. Haywood County School Board members voted to approve the resolution that expresses their opposition to school vouchers. The resolution about Common Core standards merely explains the board’s approval of the standards and expresses their commitment to providing the best education for Haywood County students.

Board members approved the purchase of a special needs school bus that was already in the budget this year. The cost according to the best bid will be $74,799.

The board also agreed to begin visiting newly constructed schools for long-range planning purposes. Board Chairman Harold Garrett said that they want to be prepared to build a new school(s) if the county receives a gift from a Mega Site industry.

In other business, Mrs. Peggy Jackson, Family Resource Center Coordinator, asked the board members to approve the Statement of Agreement between Anderson Early Childhood Center and Family Resource Center and United Way of West Tennessee, Inc. She also asked for the approval to submit the Community Impact Application to United Way for $5,000 in funding for the purchase of new books for the Reading is Fundamental “Book Jam” program for Anderson, Haywood Elementary and East Side. Board members approved these requests.

A report by CFO and Assistant Superintendent Vincent Harvell on the Catherine Truss Colhoun Trust gave the balance of the fund as of 12/31/13 as $227,641. This fund provides scholarships for HHS seniors each year. Since the fund was established in 1999, $178,900 in scholarships have been awarded.

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at 6 p.m.