School Board hears COVID modifications from staff

“The children have been amazing. I think they were starved to be around their peers again,” Director of Schools Benny Pace told during his report to the Lewis County School Board Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the regularly scheduled meeting.

All members of the board were in attendance. Chairman Glenda Atkinson presided.

The first meeting of the board since students returned to school included updates on the latest CDC and Tennessee Department of Health guidelines for students as they pertain to Coronavirus.

“We have zero nerves and excited students,” Director Pace commented. “It’s about education, not panic. I am proud of our school personnel. We all have to do a little more for our children. Kids are back in school. That’s what they know. We are here to educate our kids and to make sure they are fed,” he added.

Director Pace invited Pat Couch to give the Board an update on work her office has in progress.

Three plans were shared: CARES Act budgeting, CLP (Continuous Learning Plan for students and the district reopening plan. The district reopening plan was completed.

Lewis County’s CLP is due at the State level by August 30, 2020, she stated. This plan includes minute details and schedules for learning for virtual and in-class students, system wide. The Commissioner of Education has requested each school system submit a CLP to include a technology tract. Lewis County Schools have a virtual learning plan in place, Mrs. Couch told the Board, in the event schools are closed due to a high number of Coronavirus cases.

Teachers are utilizing Google Classroom and Google Meet. In-class students are being trained in the use of the technology, in case schools are required to close, so that they will be familiar with the programs.

Google Classroom allows teachers to post lessons which students can access and in some cases, even submit homework. Google Meet is a live interactive platform which allows students and teachers to communicate in real time.

“Coronavirus is a challenge we cannot control,” Coordinated School Health Supervisor Sasha Powers informed Board in a report by the Coordinated School Health office. Lewis County Schools are “totally dependent on parents to report positive test results,” she said, and the schools can only trace close contacts the student may have had at school.

At the time of the meeting, a positive case at the high school had been reported, giving administration the opportunity to use all call, a method of informing students and parents of the news.

“We learned a lot,” she commented, explaining the call allowed school officials to learn how to make communication better, faster and more efficient.

Mrs. Powers also expressed the importance of parents keeping their contact information up to date at their child’s school in order to help school officials reach them in an emergency situation.

Students may also be sent home with symptoms of other illnesses, Mrs. Powers pointed out. Once released from their doctor or once they have been fever-free for 24 hours, with no fever reducing medication, students may return to school.

“We are following Tennessee Department of Health guidelines. We are asking questions, doing the best we can do and hoping to do it better everyday. It’s a work in progress,” Mrs. Powers continued.

Lewis County Schools has been able to utilize CARES Act funding to purchase additional cleaning supplies for each teacher.

Public Input

Edwin Pratt addressed the School Board during a time of Citizen Input, requesting the requirement for mandatory vaccinations be dropped, that students not be exposed to electromagnetic radiation, that teachers use blackboards instead of technology to teach and that the dress code for students return to that of the 1950s-60s. The current dress code was “not acceptable before God,” he admonished the Board.

Director’s Report

The following were announced as employed: Thomas Lindsey as LCHS substitute custodian, Morgan Thompson as LCES custodian, Rhonda Waters at LCIS custodian, Tiffany Battles as LCMS custodian, Charter Helton as LCHS mathematics and head baseball coach, Alexis Bailey as interim Pre-K teacher, MaKenzie Sanders as interim first grade and Pre-K teacher, Ashley Corbin as 6th grade mathematics teacher and Britney Couch Hall as first grade Jan Ammons and Pre-K Holly Adkins.

Resignations were accepted from Shelby Tanner as LCHS tennis coach, Greg Amacher as LCHS softball coach, Kathryn McDonald Pre-K teacher, Kelby Feichtinger as LCIS paraprofessional and Lisa Amacher as 8th grade mathematics teacher.

In other staff and faculty changes, Tim Tiller accepted the LCHS softball coach position, a leave of absence was approved for Holly Adkins, Pre-K teacher August 22, 2020 to November 2, 2020, Bethany Keltner was transferred from 6th grade mathematics to 8th grade mathematics, McKenzie Sanders was transferred to interim for Lauren Reese Pre-K and Alexis Brewer Bailer was moved from Pre-K interim to full time 4th grade due to increased enrollment in 4th grade.

Unfinished Business

Final approval of a Bereavement Leave police for all Lewis County Board of Education employees was approved with a motion by Nancy McDonald, seconded by Phyllis Townsend. A unanimous vote of approval was received.

New Business

Kaylie Webb was approved as volunteer basketball coach at LCMS with a motion by Blake Farr, seconded by Lindsey Himes to precede unanimous approval.

Tenure was approved for the following teachers: Stacy Smith, Kyle Roverson, Amanda Natschke, Krissy Lewis, Jeff Hill, Katye Forrestor, Brooke Clayton, Jessica Bosheers, Tabitha Coble (old tenure from another school system), Michelle Reasons, Brandy Rhinehart, Judy Brinkley, Rachel Riley (transfered new tenure from Rutherford County), and Danielle Haygood.

Tenure was approved with a motion by Mrs. Himes, seconded by Mr. Farr. A unanimous vote of approval followed.

Ms. McDonald addressed the board expressing her thanks for having been a part of it for many years and to Paula Dyer who will assume the position at the September Board Meeting. Mrs. Dyer was elected in the August election to represent the eighth district, replacing McDonald.

“Play to your strengths. If you aren’t great at something, do more of what you’re great at.”

-Jason Lemkin

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

-Harriet Tubman Quotes