Monroe County Schools

News Release

For immediate release - May 19, 2010

James Monroe High School Guidance Counselor Jeanne Allen presented information to the board rebutting allegations made by a student and parent at the previous meeting concerning a deliberate failure to process correct grade point averages. Mistakes in calculations in previous years had caused the problem but Mrs. Allen had corrected the problem for this year and preceding years. She also gave an update on the scheduling process noting that by July 1, all students will have received a copy of their schedule in the mail.

Lisa Mustain, Principal of Peterstown Middle School, presented information regarding the school’s desire to construct a portable concession stand. They would use money awarded to them through the legislative process or through insurance reimbursements upon wind damage to the old concession stand. The old stand would be torn down in the process. Board members later gave approval to the project.

Paul Lovett, Director of Monroe County Technical Center listed concerns about the scheduling for next year that he believed would be harmful to vocational students who would miss half of a vocational credit to make up a core credit. Board President Bill Shiflet noted that the Board did not have a magic want to fix it but the process would be much better than it has been in previous years. Ben James, board member also thanked Jeanne Allen and Principal Mike Collins for their work in developing and working through the scheduling process.

Kenny Mann, newly elected board member, spoke on his own behalf as a Monroe County citizen about the need for the healing process to begin. He said that he supported a delay in hiring a new superintendent, that having the current board hire someone was rushing things and that this was an important decision that needed to wait.

Under the Superintendent’s Report the Superintendent reported that Kiddie Fair was successful, that 315 students were screened, including 89 preschool students and 106 kindergarten students, but that the numbers for kindergarten were down by 30 student from the previous year. She noted that the state testing program, WESTEST2, had started the day before and was progressing. Finally, she reminded everyone of the upcoming graduation ceremony at James Monroe, 7:00 p.m., with board members to arrive by 6:30 p.m. She said that 10 Honor Scholars would be recognized at the ceremony, the product of a new policy adopted when these students were freshmen for recognizing those students who took a rigorous schedule all four years of high school.

Under Finance, the Board approved paying the bills. Regarding Old Business in purchasing the property for Peterstown Middle, the Board took no action, with several members noting that the lack of funding from the School Building Authority was a problem, but that when the project was re-submitted, the bond needed to include the purchase price of the land.

Under New Business, the excavation bid for the site of the new Early Head Start Center at Lindside was awarded to Sibold Excavating; and, over 75 individuals were recognized for their role as volunteers in the upcoming Project Graduation at James Monroe. Several student transfer requests were approved as well.

Regarding the item to name a new superintendent, that decision will be delayed due to a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Robert Irons. The temporary injunction will be heard on May 25, 2010, at the Court House in Union.

Under Personnel, the Board approved the following coaching hires: Steve Newberry and Theodore Ballard, assistant football, JMHS; Deronda McDaniel, Head Volleyball, JMHS; Howdy Henritz, Assistant Girls’ Varsity Soccer; David Holz, Boys Varsity Head Soccer, JMHS; Travis Allen, assistant boys soccer, JMHS; Mick Ballard, boy’s varsity assistant baseball, JMHS; Nick Newberry, JV Boys Assistant Baseball , JMHS; Michael Hines, Golf, JMHS; John Page, Head Football, Peterstown Middle; Chris Morgan, Assistant Football, PMS; Darla Ellison, Head Volleyball, PMS; Jeana Carr, Cheerleading, PMS; Jeff Hatfield, Boys Head Basketball, PMS; Lee Carter, Head Football, Mountain View School; Larry Joe Mustain, Asst. Football, MVS; Larry Joe Mustain, Boys Head Basketball, MVS; Lee Carter, Boys Asst. Basketball, MVS; Sarah Martin, Head Volleyball, MVS; and, Larry Joe Mustain, Athletic Director, MVS.

Thessa Jackson and Deneace Hunt were hired for an hourly contract LPN position as needed; Larry Joe Mustain was hired as a substitute teacher; Judy Ann Meadows was hired as a critical needs summer reading teacher.

The following resignations were accepted: David Johnson, Alternative School Coordinator at JMHS; Susan Weikle, Cheer Coach at JMHS; and the retirement of Carol Lewis, Head Cook at MVS was accepted effective June 8, 2010.

The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. until Thursday, 9:00 a.m. when the Board would meet with its attorney. The next regular meeting will be 5:00 p.m. June 1, 2010.