County Schools Launch Year with New Teachers

 by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
“Thanks to the fine work of Assistant Superintendant Linda Foster and her team, we began the school year with all positions filled,” Director of School Amie Lonas told the Franklin County School Board at the Aug. 8 meeting. Lonas directed the board’s attention to the three-page August personnel report which included 21 new teachers. August marks the beginning of the new academic year. The board reviewed enrollment trends, year-end finances, and a change in the transportation policy affecting students who ride buses.
Lonas spoke enthusiastically of the new teachers joining the staff. “Only four or five are new to the profession,” Lonas said. “The rest come to us with a strong background of teaching experience in other school systems.”
With 5,192 students on the roster, enrollment is down slightly, Lonas reported. The Franklin County Schools finished the 2015–16 academic year with more than 5,400 students. Lonas projects enrollment will increase throughout the year as is typically the case. She advised the board additional kindergarten teachers may be needed at Huntland and North Lake schools.
Reporting on finances, Franklin County Deputy Director of Finance Cindy Latham said the school system ended the year with a small deficit, drawing $107,000 from the fund balance to meet the shortfall. The amount is far less than the average-annual $600,000 fund balance withdrawal.
Lonas reminded the board and community that due to a change in transportation policy, “buses will no longer service private lanes, only public roads.” Safety concerns prompted the policy change. “Private lanes are often not maintained up to county standards,” Lonas said. Affected students and families have been notified of the change.
Lonas announced dates for the town meetings being hosted by the building committee to invite community input on the proposal to construct a new combined middle school with a projected cost of $29,000,000 to $32,000,000. Meetings are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 29, at Franklin County High School, Thursday, Sept. 22, at South Middle School, and Thursday, Oct. 13, at North Middle School. All meetings start at 6 p.m.
In November 2015, the building committee was charged with addressing the need for extensive renovation at the middle schools. The committee will also post an online survey where students, teachers and community members can offer input on the proposal.
The board’s November working session will focus on reviewing the information gathered from the survey and town meetings.
Reviewing the board’s evaluation of Lonas’s first year as director of schools, Board Chair Kevin Caroland said, “You’ve done a great job. Your first year here you got thrown into the fire.”
Rating Lonas on a scale of one to four, the board rated Lonas 3.88 on overall performance; 3.38 on student achievement; 3.75 on relationship with staff and personnel; and 3.88 on relationship with the community.
 “We really appreciate the way you’ve gone into the community and their willingness to talk to you,” said board member CleiJo Walker. “You’re very approachable.”
 The August meeting marked Caroland’s retirement from the board after eight years of service. “I enjoyed my time on the board,” Caroland said. “You will be well served by Linda Jones who will join the board in September.”
 Lonas and the board thanked Caroland for his wise leadership and commitment to serving the Franklin County Schools.
 “You’ve made our job a lot easier,” said board member Christine Hopkins.
Linda Jones ran unopposed to fill Caroland’s seat on the board. A former teacher, vice-principal, and most recently, principal at North Middle School, Jones brings with her 40 years of experience serving in the Franklin County Public Schools.
 The board will hold its Sept. 8 meeting at Sewanee Elementary School. All are invited to attend.