Published: October 09, 2008 03:34 pm      

School board officers and approves agenda items

The Cumberland County Board of Education recently elected new officers for the 2008-'09 school year.

Shirley Parris, 3rd District representative, was once again selected to serve as the board's chairperson. She received votes from fellow board members Brian Houston, 1st District; Richard Janeway, 2nd District; Roger Hyder, 4th District; and Mary Smith, 7th District.

"I appreciate all of you having confidence in me as chairman of the board, and I will continue to do the best job that I possibly can," stated Parris.

Although he was her opponent in the election, 6th District representative Victor Randolph also voted for Parris. He only received votes from Bob Scarbrough, 5th District; Jim Blalock, 8th District; and Dan Schlafer, 9th District.

During the next election, the board chose Randolph as vice-chairman after other board members declined their nominations including Janeway, Blalock and Schlafer.

A similar process also determined who would hold the two remaining positions. Houston was named parliamentarian after Smith, Schlafer, Janeway and Scarbrough turned down the seat. Also, Schlafer was appointed the TLN reporter after the nominations for Scarbrough, Hyder, Smith and Janeway were declined.

Lastly, the board unanimously agreed to keep Virgie Lotz was as the recorder of the meetings.

With the elections and appointments out of the way, the board began reviewing the rest of the items on agenda.

First up were the recommendations made by Director of Schools Aarona VanWinkle for a new system testing coordinator, board negotiation team and student disciplinary hearing authority (DHA) committee FOR 2008-'09. The following was approved:

•System testing coordinator—Bruce Simmons, director of curriculum and instruction for K-5th grade.

•Negotiation team—Simmons; Rickie Harris, federal program director; Chris King, director of career and technical education; and John Saylors, 6-8th grade curriculum director. Randolph also volunteered to work on the team.

•DHA committee—Rocky Zazzaro, principal of Phoenix/Alternative School, enlisted Simmons; Scott Hull, counselor and case manager; Lisa Phillips, family resource center and homeless education coordinator; and Bobbie Parker as members.

Next, grant proposals for two Cumberland County schools were approved.

Pleasant Hill Elementary was interested in applying for $2,931 through the Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant. The school plans to implement a novel reading program that will help increase fifth-grade students' fluency and comprehension skills while inspiring a love of reading.

Stone Elementary requested permission to apply for the VECustomers Share Grant to help the school's Beta Club with a trip to a state convention and various community projects. Approximately $1,600 is needed for the project.

The board also approved the annual School Nutrition Report prepared by Kathy Hamby, food and nutrition supervisor, and the cooperative bowling program between Stone Memorial High School and Rockwood High School.

On the consent agenda, the following items were approved: volunteers for CCHS, SMHS and eight elementary schools including Crab Orchard, Homestead, Martin, North Cumberland, Pine View, Pleasant Hill, South Cumberland and Stone; school trips for the CCHS cheerleaders and girls' basketball team, SMHS band, boys' basketball team and volleyball team, Stone Beta Club and career and technical education organizations; a fundraising proposal for Stone Elementary; and disposal of surplus property at CCHS.

The next monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 23, with an early start time of 5 p.m.