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Archives
02-09-2005
Basketball Homecoming held at Livingston Academy
Dewain E. Peek/OCN staff
Drug use, grading scale discussed at meeting By RACHEL SMITH, OCN staff This proved untrue, however, at the Tuesday, Feb. 1 School Board meeting when members of Overton County's Youth Leadership class, who are all sophomores at Livingston Academy, were given an opportunity to question School Board members about issues they feel affect their high school performance. Probably the most eye-opening concern they have is that of drug usage and dealing among their peers. "They're buying and selling right in the middle of class," reported one student. "No, all usage doesn't take place after school and on the weekends. It happens during school," reported another when asked by Director of Schools Bill Needham if this was the case. General consensus among the students seemed to be that most are unwilling to report such activities, but as one student answered Chairman Dolphus Dial, "When school officials are made aware of what is happening, they do take corrective action." School Board members, as well as family members and Youth Leadership directors who were present, looked on with shock as they listened to the students talk. Another issue brought up by the students is the new statewide uniform grading policy recently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly. According to Director Needham, the new grading scale will go into effect with the 2005-2006 school year, and is aimed at making state-sponsored scholarships, including those funded by the Tennessee Lottery, more fairly available to high school students. With the range for each letter grade varying greatly from one school system to another, Tennessee lawmakers voted last year to require that the State Board of Education create and adopt a single scale for all Tennessee school districts to follow. Under the new system, Livingston Academy students will receive an "A" for a 93 average, where currently a 95 average is required. In addition, the State Board also recommended that honors courses and national industry certification classes receive an additional three points added to the grades used to calculate the semester average, and that advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses receive an additional five points. According to Needham, LA students who take honors classes will receive an "A" for a 90 average, and those students taking college level/advanced placement classes will receive an "A" for an 88 average under the new grading system. Another question asked by the students was why the student parking lot is now being locked during school hours, which happened for the first time on the day of the meeting. "I asked for this three or four years ago," Needham said. "By locking the gate at the far end, all traffic will be required to drive closer to the building where security cameras can record their activities." With no executive action items to discuss, the Board approved the following new business items: Approved an overnight trip for Livingston Academy's Interact Club to attend the annual state conference in Gatlinburg on March 4-6. Approved an overnight trip for Allons Elementary basketball teams and cheerleaders to attend the TNT State Tournament in Springfield on Friday, Feb. 11. Also approved an overnight trip to Springfield again on Friday, Feb. 18 if the teams advance to the next level. Approved Summer Walker's resignation as educational assistant at Rickman Elementary effective immediately. Approved Amendment #3 to IDEA, Federal Special Education Budget. Director Needham issued the Director's Report to the School Board. Actions taken by the school director are as follows: Granted a medical leave of absence for Kirby Boles from January 18 through April 18. Granted a medical leave of absence for Rita Qualls for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year. Granted a maternity leave of absence for Patricia Dale from March 11 through May 27. Hired Chris Winningham to cover Kirby Boles' medical leave at Livingston Middle School. Hired Vivian Sells as cook at Hilham Elementary. Hired Judy Goodpasture as educational assistant at Rickman Elementary, effective January 19. Hired Julie Miller and Kellie Grimes as Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Activities coordinators. Hired the following instructors for the Hilham After-School program for the remainder of the school year: Beth Phillips, Spring Choate, Sherry Hall, Brenda Capshaw, Kathy Sells, Mechelle Nivens, Garry Boles, Louise Smith, Edith Williams, Nick Denby, and Brenda Denby. Hired the following students for the Hilham After-School mentoring program: Samantha Williams, Megan Trevathan, Chelsea Savage, and Kylor Winningham. Hired Kara Miller as certified substitute teacher and the following non-certified substitute teachers: Reba Allen, Melissa Wilborn, and Glenda Sue Morgan. The meeting adjourned.
Single-wide mobile homes limited in city By DEWAIN E. PEEK, OCN staff In bringing up the measure, Mayor Frank Martin said, "The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council not to let any more single-wide mobile homes come into the city limits. The ones that are here, if somebody wanted to get a new one they could. But they wouldn't let any more come in. They'd all have to be double-wides." Mayor Martin went on to say, "We're not going to be taking them away from anybody." Alderman James "Pug" Lee said, "As long as there's one there, they can put one back, if they put it back within 6 months (after moving the first one)." The measure was approved with Aldermen Lee and David Langford passing on the vote. The low bid was approved on a four-wheel drive tractor at $19,110 from A.P. Hicks Enterprises Inc. Alderman Robert Jolley passed on the vote. The low bid on a backstop for the ballpark was approved at $6,975 from Security Fence. Sealed bids were taken on a 1981 GMC truck the city used for a salt truck and on a 1992 GMC truck with a utility bed. Only one bid was received for each. Both a $500 bid for the Ô81 and a $1,200 bid for the '92 were accepted. The mayor was given the authority to sell the surplus out-of-use parking meters at a price he determines to be fair. Charles Maynord and Allen Terry were appointed to the Planning Commission. A public hearing to consider adoption of the International Building Codes was set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. The personnel policy handbook has been completed and copies will be given to Town of Livingston employees. The meeting adjourned.
Overton County News
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