by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Nov. 9 meeting, the Franklin County Board of Education approved installation of Raptor sexual predator detection software at Franklin County High School and Clark Memorial Elementary School on a pilot basis.
Visitors to the schools will be required to scan their photo ID at a kiosk located immediately inside the entrance. The Raptor software then searches more than 700 websites for sexual predator information. In the case of an alert, the system summons a school resource officer.
Sewanee school board representative Adam Tucker stressed installation of the software at the two schools was a trial. Before the school system considers wider implementation, “the pilot program needs to be rigorously evaluated to assess the system’s cost effectiveness and effectiveness in enhancing student safety,” Tucker said. The pilot installation will cost $3,970.
Tucker also expressed concern about parents without a photo ID being denied access to their children. Tucker cited the example of children of undocumented immigrants. Director of Schools Amie Lonas said procedures would be in place to enable parents without a photo ID to engage with their children and school officials.
For Lonas, an important feature of the system is the ability to reference inputted data about which adults have permission to pick children up, preventing errors when child custody and restraining order circumstances prevail.
In other business, Lonas said the Capital Building Planning Committee has expressed a need for guidance from architectural and engineering firms in making decisions. The board approved Lonas’ request to solicit proposals from firms detailing their qualifications for the committee to review. The school system will not incur any financial commitment in the review process. Need for renovation at the school system’s two 40-year-old middle schools is top on the committees agenda, Lonas said.
Reviewing personnel needs, Assistant Superintendant Linda Foster said the school system would post a position for a fourth-grade teacher at Sewanee Elementary School. At present, one fourth-grade class has 27 students and is expected to reach the limit of 28 students next semester.
The board approved a motion by chair Kevin Caroland to make it “standard practice” to require only one reading before a vote is taken on policy issues. When necessary, the board can request a second reading before voting, Caroland said.
The board also approved two policy revisions.
A key change in the Student Transportation Management policy bars bus drivers involved in an accident from driving until drug screening results are received in the cases where policy criteria prescribe drug screening. Bus drivers not required to undergo drug screening following an accident may request drug screening, but are not barred from driving. Foster said bus contractors would be notified of the changes.
The Emergency and Legal Leave policy was revised to afford witnesses the same allowances made for school system employees summoned for jury duty.
The board held its meeting in the Huntland School Cafeteria. Recently awarded a Focus Grant of nearly $100,000, Huntland used the funds to buy Kindle Fire e-readers for all second- and third-grade students. Huntland qualified for the grant due to the achievement gap demonstrated by subgroups, such as racial and ethnic groups, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities.
Huntland Principal William Bishop stressed the importance in “getting kids to read for pleasure.” With the e-readers he now sees children reading on the bus and when waiting for school to begin. “It’s like you’ve given them a new video game,” Bishop said.
The school board next meets on Dec. 14.
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