by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Oct. 12 meeting, the Franklin County Board of Education approved the purchase of a six-acre tract for a soccer field at Huntland School. The board also took up several policy revisions.
At the board’s September meeting, Huntland soccer coach Brian Norcross asked the board to consider purchasing property across from Huntland School for use as a playing and practice field. The team currently practices on the baseball outfield, hampering the team’s performance when they compete on a standard-size field at games.
Director of School Amie Lonas said zoning did not pose an obstacle, since the tract was zoned the same as other Huntland School athletic fields. Board member Lance Williams estimated the cost of ground preparation at $10,000. The money to purchase the tract costing $20,000 will come from the capital outlay budget, Lonas said.
The board also approved a clarification to the sick leave policy bringing it into compliance with Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) regulations. The policy previously limited sick leave to 60 days. The revised policy allows for 60 days sick leave annually and 90 days total for any one illness or accident.
The board discussed revising the student transportation management policy, which requires substance screening for any bus driver involved in an accident. At the November meeting, the board will vote on a policy revision forbidding the involved driver from driving until substance screening results are received. Test analysis usually takes 72 hours. By the proposed revision, contract drivers will be held to the same standard as drivers employed by the school system. Board chair Kevin Caroland said the revision was needed to protect the school system from liability in the event a driver was involved in a second accident before test results were returned.
In reviewing the background investigation policy, Caroland said a recent investigation in Williamson County revealed 10 percent of sports officials had a record of criminal offenses. Caroland recommended the Franklin County School join with other schools in the region asking the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association “to conduct background checks on the officials they send us.”
Updating the board on the sale of the Oak Grove School property, Lonas said the potential buyers who placed a bid of $35,000 withdrew from negotiations. The property will be re-advertised.
The board approved appointments to two new committees formed at the August retreat. Board member CleiJo Walker will chair the Capital Building Program Committee which will make recommendations for future building maintenance and/or construction.
Board member Chris Guess will chair the High School Scheduling Committee, which will look into whether the high school block schedule allows sufficient time to prepare for testing. Principals, teachers, and parents were appointed to serve as committee representatives.
The System Wide Report Card, ranking the Franklin County Schools relative to other schools in the state, was published on Oct. 14. To view the results go to <http://tn.gov/education/topic/report-card>.
The school board next meets Nov. 9 at Huntland School.
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