Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

West Carroll School Board Approves Student Trips, School Calendar

Curriculum Change Could Cost $170,000 to $200,000

Posted

ATWOOD (February 6) — Five student group trips were approved along with the 2020-2021 school calendar during the February 6 meeting of the West Carroll School Board meeting. One thing that was not approved was a new sports program: high school girls volleyball. The board asked for additional details before moving forward with more sports programs. The startup costs could be $6,500 to $10,000 with ongoing expenses for travel, uniforms, and coaches.
Regina Alred presented the facts of a state change in English Language Arts that focuses more on phonics. The physical resources to implement the program could cost $170,000 to $200,000 for a school-wide rollout. It is a statewide initiative. The implementation will be have significant positive effect on student development, according to school officials. WCHS teacher Adam Douglas has implemented the program at WCHS with high success. Douglas spoke about his students’ success.
The 2020-21 calendar was approved. It includes beginning and ending dates and holidays and is a collaboration of all five special school districts because of the common transportation and high school technology center. Board member Kyle Foster said he did not like the calendar. He and Patrick Lindsey voted against the calendar.
Technology coordinator Sheila Brawner requested the purchase of Chromebook laptop computers for next year’s sixth graders. The computers will remain at the school and not taken home. The school can purchase or lease the computers, which are usually on a replacement cycle of three to four years. Brawner’s request was for the school board to consider the purchase over the summer for next school year’s use.
At the onset of the meeting, the board accepted the nomination of Chairman Will Robinson to appoint Atwood resident Andy Morton to fill a vacancy on the board. Morton, 35, is a 2004 graduate of Dresden High School. He and wife, Lindsay, have two children, Chandler, 11, and Chloe, 8. Lindsay works at West Carroll Primary School. Morton will serve until the August election.

Winston Truett with the ATA accounting firm, reported the West Carroll Special School District did not have any adverse finding in the annual audit report for the third straight year. He commented the school district and the many people who manage and account for funds throughout the school system.
Football Coach Josh Wolfe requested the purchase of new lockers for the football team. He presented the board with several options, but recommended metal lockers at a cost of $25,100. The board approved the purchase.
The two Student Resource Officers, Joey Hedge and Brandon Leek, were honored for their service at the school.
Trips approved include: a field trip request to attend HOSA competition and convention in Chattanooga March 24-27; a field trip request to attend WTSBOA All-West Clinic in Memphis February 13-15;
a field trip request to attend the 2020 Junior Beta National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas June 18-23; a field trip request to attend the FCCLA State Conference in Chattanooga March 25-29; a field trip request to attend the FBLA Conference in Chattanooga March 10-13.
The board accepted the resignations of Trey Cantrell, history teach and football coach at WCJHS and Elizabeth Pratt Clark, WCJHS softball coach.

West Carroll, School Board