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West Carroll Audit Reveals No Findings for Second Straight Year

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ATWOOD (October 4) — For the second consecutive year, an audit by Alexander Thompson Arnold of the West Carroll Special School District has revealed no findings.
During Thursday’s regular monthly meeting, ATA’s Winston Truett presented copies of the lengthy audit report to each member of the board and Director of Schools Dexter Williams. He also summarized the results, pointed out a few key portions of the written report and took questions. He noted that there was one “management letter comment” (which is less severe than a “finding”) regarding the handling of deposits.
Director Williams posed the lone question, asking if two straight years of no findings was uncommon. Truett replied that is was in fact uncommon and that, quite often, issues are found. He added, “You’re to be complimented.”
Board member Mike Foster credited the many people involved and led a round of applause.
In the board’s monthly “Spotlight,” primary school Principal Jackie Wester and elementary school Principal Tracy Foster each recognized their educational assistants and paraprofessionals.
Wester honored Melissa Allen, Jeanne Hooper, Shelly Worrell, Sharlanda Emerson, Janice Vinson, Lori Bigham, Ashley Smith and Adam Welch.
Foster honored Sherry Cobb, Dorothy Rimmer, Gayle Kendrick, Chesley Johnson and Adam Welch.
High school Principal Tim Stratton recognized the Marching War Eagles for their performance in three recent competitions. First-year band director Michael Nelson listed the accolades: at the Gibson County Marching Invitational, first place percussion and field commander in Class A; at the WTSBOA Marching Festival, Superior rating for percussion and excellent rating for color guard, field commander and band; and at the Mid-South Marching Invitational, first place percussion, color guard, field commander and band in class, sixth place percussion overall, fifth place field commander overall, third place color guard overall and winner of the Big Beats Drumline Battle.
The drumline was present at the meeting and performed it battle-winning cadence for the board.
The board approved the Textbook Review Committee and the 2018 LEA Compliance Report. They also approved six board policy updates on second and final reading. Another board policy update was approved on the first of two readings. The update sets the weight of TN Ready scores on students’ final grades at 15 percent.

A request by board member Patrick Lindsey to allow the Tennessee School Boards Association to update the policy manual was approved, as was the Safe School Act budget, all of which currently goes toward the School Resource Officer salary.
Two field trips were approved: the FFA Convention in Indianapolis later this month and the Junior Beta Club Convention in Nashville in November.
A decision to purchase a storage building for the junior/senior high was delayed as board members requested that Director of Schools Dexter Williams acquire more estimates for the project.
In principal updates, Principal Wester announced that Family Literacy Night would be Thursday, October 18 and Halloween parties would be Wednesday, October 31.
Principal Foster reported that everyone was happy with the new cafeteria serving line at the elementary school. She said that the Mr. Earl fundraiser would begin Tuesday, October 16 and that 4-H activities would be the week of October 22.
She was pleased to announce the return of the elementary Beta Club with sponsors Michelle Robinson, Beth Bridges and Brittany Fowler.
Principal Stratton announced that Early Post-Secondary Opportunity Week, a state initiative, would begin October 22. He said the school was partnering with Black & Decker on projects for CTE students. Manufacturing Day will be Friday, October 26.
All three schools will recognize Red Ribbon Week beginning October 22.
Friday, October 19 will be Homecoming for West Carroll. Prior to the football game, alumni will tailgate with their classmates.
During the game, students with perfect attendance will be recognized on the field.
The meeting adjourned after 40 minutes.