MIDDLESBORO — The Middlesboro Board of Education (MBOE) held a special-called meeting on Monday to discuss a reciprocal agreement between the Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD) and the Bell County School District (BCSD) that would allow non-resident students to attend their schools.

According to MISD Superintendent Rita Cook, Middlesboro currently has student agreements with Bell County, Harlan County, Pineville Independent, and Knox County, but contracts must be renewed periodically. The deadline for the new contract agreement is February 1 of this year.

MISD Director of Pupil Personnel John Chadwell attended Monday’s meeting, and provided the board with important information relating to nonresidential students within the district.

“At the last meeting, I brought some information to the board, and the board had some questions of which I did not have the exact answers,” expressed Chadwell. “In the meantime, we did a little research and feel that we got the answers you requested.”

The board previously requested a listing — by grade — of the students who reside in the Middlesboro School District but attend Bell County Schools. Chadwell reported that 210 MISD students currently attend Bell County Schools, and 166 Bell County students attend Middlesboro schools.

“Specifically, in certain areas, we have fifty students who reside in Ambleside that attend schools in our district,” Chadwell explained. “And of that fifty, seventeen ride the bus one-way, or twice a day.”

Chadwell explained that 157 MISD students — kindergarten through eighth grade — attend Bell County schools, and he assumes that most of those students attend the Yellow Creek School Center. He maintained that Yellow Creek is within the school boundaries of Middlesboro.

Chadwell contended that the other 53 MISD students attend Bell County High School, and explained that those students could likely be in recovery programs, or day-treatment classes as assigned the court.

Chadwell then clarified that the only section that differs from school to city boundaries is the Bella Gardens community — which is in the city of Middlesboro, but it is not in the MISD for unspecified reasons.

Chadwell explained to the board that if school districts do not sign contract agreements concerning nonresidential students, and a student then goes to a school outside of the district, then both districts stand to lose significant funds. He stated that the money would “essentially go back to the state,” and would then be redistributed as mandated.

“This puts us in a unique situation,” said MBOE member Kelly Shoffner.

Chadwell responded:

“It is a unique situation in that we are not geographically separated, and people really have to make an effort.”

Superintendent Cook then announced that because of the timing, the best approach would be to go ahead and agree with the current contract. She said that the agreement would allow officials from area school districts to meet in the future, and further discuss the student-related situation for the 2011 school year.

“We have had a good partnership with Bell County, and I would hate to see that not continue,” stated Cook. “Frankly, it helps us when we can work together and be good neighbors, rather than to be at battle.”

Board member Edith Kelley added, “I would like for us to do a survey of these parents and see why they chose a Bell County School over Middlesboro.”

The board agreed, claiming that the feedback would have a positive impact on the MISD in the future.

Superintendent Cook then made the recommendation to approve the contract for the current school year, and all approved.

The board also changed the date of the next regular-called board meeting. The MBOE will meet in regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Central Office in downtown Middlesboro.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.