School Board Reviews Policies

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At its Oct. 3 working session, the Franklin County School Board reviewed new policies and policy amendments proposed by the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA). The board will vote on the TSBA recommendations at the Oct. 10 board meeting.
At the September meeting, the board expressed need for clarification about the number of credits required to graduate in the various circumstances identified by the Graduation Requirements policy recommended by the TSBA. The board further revised the policy to reflect the Franklin County School System’s practices.
“The policy is cleaner now and has continuity,” said board president Cleijo Walker.
Questioned about the requirement stipulating that a student must identify intent to graduate early prior to beginning ninth grade, Director of Schools Amie Lonas said, “The requirements are pretty stringent.” The board’s amendments to the TSBA policy added a list of core courses required for early graduation.
The amended School Day policy requires all employees, not just teachers, to sign in and sign out. Federal law requires documentation of work hours, said Assistant Superintendant Linda Foster explaining the reason behind the school system’s decision to begin using a software program to track hours teachers and staff spend on campus. “Coffee County and other neighboring school systems are also using the program,” Lonas said.
The more stringent documentation protects non-salaried employees from being required to work extra hours, observed board member Sara Liechty. “It’s good defense against a law suit,” concurred Sewanee school board representative Adam Tucker.
“The program also protects the school system,” Foster said, “by verifying non-salaried employees are working the hours we’re paying them for.”
The new Service Animals in District Facilities policy identifies the circumstances allowing and guidelines surrounding service animals for the aid of students. Walker expressed surprise the policy allowed “trained miniature horses” as well as “service dogs.”
“That’s what the regulations require,” Tucker said. “I’ve written two of these policies.” Tucker stressed, “the policy does not allow service animals for the purpose of emotional support or companionship.” He recommended that to comply with nondiscrimination law, the policy should be revised to stipulate the school system cannot inquire about the nature of a student’s disability. The school system can, however, ask what service the animal provides, Tucker said. Tucker will incorporate the needed language in the policy and present it to the board for review at the Oct. 10 board meeting.
Explaining the recommendation the board delete the Work Based Learning policy, Foster said, “The TSBA proposed we combine our two existing policies related to Work Based Learning into a single policy.” The board will retain a revised Work Based Learning Program policy. The board also plans to delete the Energy Conservation policy established in 2011 to comply with grant requirements. “The grant period is over,” explained Director of Schools Amie Lonas.
School board member Gary Hanger asked if the school system had experienced any opposition to the new Dress Code. “One parent phoned the school,” Lonas said, “but overall the principals say the response has been positive.”