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Huntingdon School Board Visits Schools for Improvement Plan

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HUNTINGDON (December 4) — School improvement and evaluation of the programs and facilities of the three school sites were part of the annual Joint Venture of the Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education on December 4.
Board members started at 7 a.m. For the regular monthly meeting at the Board office, heard from Tracy Connell, who is participating in the inaugural class of WestTeach, a program created by WestStar, based at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She thanked the board for allowing her to learn what other West Tennessee communities are doing in their schools, cities, and counties as the group tours the West Tennessee area.
The resignations of Emily Smith and Lisa Todd were acknowledged. The board was acknowledged the transfer of Christy Carey to HPS principal from the assistant principal; Alan Eubanks as the supervisor in the Central Office, moving from the HPS principal position; and Nikki Fronabarger employed as the Food Service supervisor.
Jennifer Briscoe was employed as HMS cafeteria manager, Victoria Dye was HPS cafeteria assistant manager, and Amanda Stockdale as a first-grade teacher.
The board acknowledged the resignation of Emily Smith, assistant cafeteria manager at the primary school and Lisa Todd, a first-grade teacher.
The board also gave the statutory notice to discuss the contract of Pat Dillahunty, director of schools, during the January 17 meeting.
The board also approved to allow a board member to participate in the board members via electronic communication. A quorum must be physically present and the off-site board member must be able to be heard by everyone, including the audience.
The Board heard from Dr. Jonathan Kee, principal of Huntingdon High School, Scott Carter, principal of Huntingdon Middle School, and Christy Carey, principal of Huntingdon Primary School. Each of the site administrators spoke about the progress in academic achievement at the schools, the use of new technology, including the Promethean flat panel big-screen monitors in each classroom, and the newly added academic coaches to assist members of the faculty.
Dr. Kee said the entire school system was rated as an Exemplary School, one of 14 in the state. He said the high school is offering dual enrollment, dual credits with colleges, and the ability for students to earn vocational training at the TCATs in McKenzie and Paris and the Carroll County Vocational School. The school will partner with local businesses and industries to strengthen opportunities to learn vocations while still in school.

Kee said the new artificial turf on the football field is being used extensively by several of the sports teams, including track and baseball. Members of the community are also using the field for various activities.
He also noted the new Band Room is under construction and will provide a large rehearsal room, an instrument room, and private rehearsal rooms.
Scott Carter said HMS was honored to be designated as a Reward School because of the across-the-board growth of achievement by the students. The school’s area of focus has been in scheduling adjustments, new English Language Arts curriculum, an updated math curriculum, and lots of new technology. He noted that four of five math teachers left after last year. Curriculum coaches helped the new teachers interface quickly in their new roles.
Carey said HPS has a new phone system and a new surveillance camera system to monitor the campus. She noted the school needs about 120 iPads for K-2 grades and a larger cafeteria because each grade has approximately 107 students.
In recent years, the school system has made significant improvements to the physical plants at HHS and HPS. A new playroom/gym and library was added at HPS and new classrooms and a more secure front entrance were added at HHS. Air conditioning and new seating were added at the HHS gymnasium. The 2017 season was the first for the new artificial turf and running track at HHS. A new band room is under construction. The city donated Fillies Field to the school and major improvements were made to the complex.
Student Resource Officers, SROs, law enforcement safety officers, were added at each of the school sites this year, said Kee.
Dr. Lee Carter, chairman of the board, said the list of the wants and needs of the school system has greatly diminished from years ago. He praised school officials from the continued progress.
In other business, the board the school calendar for the 2019-2020 year. Classes begin August 5, fall break is October 14 to 18, Thanksgiving holiday is November 27-29, and Christmas holiday is December 20 through January 3. For the second semester, students start Tuesday, January 7. Spring Break is April 6 to 10, and the last day of school is May 20.
Holidays include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, and Good Friday, which is included in Spring Break. There are six days included for inclement weather.
After visiting all the schools, the board determined their areas of concentration will be on upgrades to the cafeterias at HPS and HHS, and upgrades to the HHS baseball press box and concession stand.

School Board, Huntingdon