School Board Meets in Work Session: Discussion of SES Renovations Tops the Agenda

by K.G. Beavers, Sewanee Messenger Staff Writer

The Franklin County school board met in a work session on Oct. 1 at Sewanee Elementary School to discuss SES renovation bids, update on the honors distinction for graduating and the credit recovery program.

Steve Morris, representing the firm of Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects, Inc., spoke with school board members and guests about some of the renovations that needed to be done to the school. School Board Chairman Kevin Caroland “wanted the school board to physically see some of the work that we need to do up here.”

“We’re grateful to Principal Maxon for letting us hold our meeting at SES. It was very useful to have the on-site tour of the repairs that need to be done to the school,” said Chris McDonough, school board member.

Sealed bids for the renovation were accepted until Sept. 25 at the school board office. Six contractors bid on the project, which is expected to take 180 days to complete. One bid was more than the proposed $750,000.

Morris explained the changes to the windows, replacing the roof on the oldest part of the building, and the biggest concern of draining the water away from the building. School board members raised concern over the water harvesting system. Morris said that without this alternative, the downspout would just be replaced and the school would still have a water issue. “The real purpose of this water system is to relieve some of the water drainage coming into the building,” said Morris.

“I am in favor of fixing Sewanee, and there are some things we were not aware of,” said school board member Betty Jo Drummond. “But we need to take our time and do our homework before we approve a bid. What do we really need to have fixed?” she asked. 

“The repairs are going to cost a lot, but they’re necessary as maintenance. Given the expense, the rain harvesting tank might have to be put on hold,” said McDonough.

The school board wants to see a price differential between a metal roof and a shingle roof. Discussion will continue at the Oct. 8 school board meeting before a bid is accepted. Once a bid is accepted, work will begin immediately, taking into consideration the planning process between Maxon and the contractor.

“Some of the work will no doubt be disruptive, especially in the playground and on that side of the school. But I know SES faculty and staff will be able to handle it,” said McDonough.

Students graduating in 2013 will be the first class to graduate under the Tennessee Diploma Project. 

The purpose of the project is to better prepare students to be successful after graduation from high school. One area of improvement determines how a student graduates with honors. The new system of recognition exceeds the earlier system of a student reaching a specific grade point average in order to graduate with honors. The state also mandates that the schools recognize those graduating with distinction.
To graduate with honors under the new system, a student who scores at or above all the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or the equivalent SAT scores will graduate with honors. The ACT benchmark scores are English, 18; math, 22; reading, 21; and science reasoning, 24.
To graduate with distinction, a student must have a B average (3.0) and do one of the following: earn a nationally recognized industry certification; participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools; participate in one of the state’s All State musical organizations; be selected as a National Merit finalist or semi-finalist; attain a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT; attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams; or earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted postsecondary credit.
Another topic of discussion was credit recovery, where a student can “recover” credit for a course previously taken but not passed. The student must have previously taken the course and made a grade of at least 50. Then, if the student shows “mastery of information” through a computerized learning program, they will in turn receive credit for that class. This credit recovery option can happen before, during or after school hours.
The principal of the high school has to implement the credit recovery program. It is not a school board policy.
In 2011–12, 24 high school seniors decided to take part in the program. Fifteen of those completed the credit recovery process. In 2012–13, 35 students have been targeted as needing credit recovery in order to graduate. Since the graduation rate is an accountability measure mandated by the state, Franklin County High School will continue to offer this program to keep up the graduation rate.
“Our goal is to not need credit recovery in the future,” said FCHS principal Greg Mantooth.