Over the last several months, the board has been conducting official business on site at each district school, in order to give board members a better understanding of the internal operations of each institution.
Superintendent Rita Cook opened the meeting by recognizing Chairman Bill Johnson for completing one or more training levels within the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) Academy of Studies during 2009. Chairman Johnson recently completed the highest level of training offered by the KSBA — which is considered a level five.
“There are not a lot of people that go all the way to level five and we are real excited about Mr. Johnson receiving this honor,” exclaimed Cook. “I would like to recognize him here tonight, and to thank him.”
Cook noted that the KSBA training is based on real-life scenarios within a school setting on a day-to-day basis.
MHS students then appeared before the board and presented a video which gave board members insight into the daily lives of high school students. The video — created by the students — updated the board on recent school happenings, athletics, class trips, and other classroom activities.
After the presentation, board members praised the students for their hard work, and dedication to the project.
MHS Principal Shelia Smith then addressed the board concerning the possibilty of implementing a trimester schedule at the high school.
Smith presented each board member with a sample schedule. She explained that a trimester schedule consists of three 12-week semesters each year — for five classes a day at 70 minutes a class period.
“One reason, we are thinking about going to this, is because I feel like our kids have seven classes a day, and that is a lot of classes to have homework for,” stated Smith. “Also, when you change classes on a 50-minute schedule, you lose five minutes or so almost every class.”
Smith claimed that the proposed schedule would give teachers more time in class, and would allow students the opportunity to earn seven and a half credits each school year.
“It would give us a lot more time to intervene with kids that fall behind,” Smith explained. “And it would give us time to offer longer classes for those kids who need a challenge.”
Smith added, “We see it as a big plus for the intervention for our kids.”
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) representative Becky Powell was also in attendance on Monday night to further discuss the recently implemented assessment system with board members. She spoke about the development of testing within the high school.
Powell explained that the test accurately reflects each student’s knowledge and understanding, and measures intellectual growth over an extended period of time.
“It’s a time-consuming process,” said Powell, “and we still have a ways to go.”
In other official school business, the MBOE addressed and/or discussed the following items:
• Building reports were given by each district principal.
• Ginger Crawford of East End Elementary was granted the Teacher of the Year Award for 2010.
• MIS Teacher Amy Sizemore has been nominated by the University of Louisville Office of Civic Education Engagement and the Kentucky Department of Education as a regional finalist for the 2010 Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award.
• Vernon Willard, George Mayes, and Traci Barnett announced their resignation and/or retirement from the Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD).
• Approved the minutes of the Feb. 16, 2010 regular-called meeting and the March 8th, 2010 working board meeting.
• Approved financial reports as presented from Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro Middle School, Middlesboro Intermediate School, and Middlesboro Primary School.
• Approved the cafeteria report, financial report, and the payment of monthly bills and salaries.
• The board approved June 4 as the date for graduation.
The next MBOE meeting will be held at the Central Office in downtown Middlesboro on April 19th at 6 p.m.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
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