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Across the Board – March 28, 2016

Published March 29, 2016

Students were in the spotlight during the regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education on March 28, 2016. Ravenwood’s Rhea Jaisinghani was honored for earning a Perfect ACT score, and Josh Parker, Ravenwood, was honored for becoming a National Merit Finalist.

Several students earned first place awards from the Tennessee High School Press Association earlier this month including Brentwood’s WBHS- TV for Best Sports Coverage of a Live Event; Jack Burnette, Reed Smith and Ryan Tyler for Best Commercial; Jake Fisher, Ben Sherrill and Ryan Tyler for Best Music Video; and Ben Sherrill and Caleb Howard for Best Audio for a Video Project. Their teacher is Ronnie Adcock. Franklin High’s Peter Newsom won in the categories of Best Short Feature and Best News/Sports Package. Tyler Parrish, Sydney Hampton, Christian Whittemore, Andrew Kochamba, Nial Redha, Mckenna Martin, Conner Wood, Chel Warren, Hope Dyra and Caitlin McFadden won for Best Video. Their teacher is Keri Thompson. Independence High’s Zach Fulkerson won Best Videographer. His teacher is Matt Balzer. Other award winners include Brentwood’s Kameron Ziesig for Best Black and White Photograph in a Yearbook. Her teacher is Katharine Urmy. Centennial High won for Best Overall Website. Dawn Marek is the teacher.

A number of students brought home first place state awards from the Tennessee State DECA competition. Brentwood High students Timmy Derryberry and Ben Kazmierowicz received first place in Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making; John Hardin and Emma Andrew in Financial Management Team Decision Making; Ashley Anderson in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Promotional Plan; Katherine Mills and Kathleen Grooms in Fashion Merchandising Promotional Plan; Anna Mullaney in Role Play #1 Apparel and Accessories; and Emme Fridge in Role Play #2 Marketing Management. Their teachers are Lisa Nease and Melisa Bashore. Page High’s Chloe Pigue won in Restaurant Management and Sam Kraft won Principles of Marketing Job Interview. Their teacher is Jackie Stevens. Summit’s Michael Krewson won Professional Selling. His teacher is Allison Gaddis.

In athletics, Summit’s Jailah Grimes won the TSSAA Tennessee Wrestling Championship in the 148 Weight Class. Her coach is Pete Miller. For the second year in a row, the Fairview Middle Sharnados won the Tennessee Special Olympics State Basketball Championship. Team members include Shae Arney, Anastasia Bierly, Peyton Evans, Parker Jaco, Braden Jenkins, Dillon Jewels, Aidan Lane, John Mann, Anna Matlock and Logan Parsons. Their coaches are Jamie Layne and George Potter.

Westsood Elementary’s Dylan Hudson was honored as the American Automobile Association (AAA) Tennessee Patroller of the Year for the 2015-16. His teacher is Lee Ann Bauer.

In addition, the Board was treated to a musical performance prior to the meeting by the Centennial High vocal octet group under the direction of Jeff Myrick.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Mike Looney invited the Board to the Service King open house at Franklin High on Thursday. He also shared his recommendation to end the school year for students on May 18.

In the Board Chairman’s Report, Gary Anderson reminded Board members about the upcoming Fine Arts Festival on April 9. He also shared that some Ravenwood High musicians represented the district at the 2016 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis. Ravenwood High joined with Indiana’s Carmel High School to form the first ever United Sound Honors Ensemble. The United Sound program is designed to bring music instruction and performance to special needs students.

In New Business, the Board:

  • Approved suspending Board policies related to State testing and final examinations.
  • Approved open zone schools for 2016-2017.
  • Approved the 2016-2017 School Board budgets including a $316,533,265 General Purpose School Budget; a $12,307,580 Central Cafeteria Budget; a $4,973,267 Extended School Program Budget; and an $11,297,355 Capital Outlay Request.
  • Approved a “Speak Up” resolution to encourage staff members to feel free to communicate with Board members without retribution.
  • Approved a resolution commemorating national healthy schools day.
  • Approved the school calendar change making the final day for students a full day on May 18 with the final day for teachers May 20.
  • Approved authorization to mediate a threatened lawsuit.
  • Approved the Head Lice policy on second reading.

In other business, the Board:

  • Approved recommended field trip fee requests.
  • Approved two policies on second reading including Summer School and Overtime Pay.
  • Approved the Carl Perkins Grant #2.
  • Approved the Encore 2016 Summer Enrichment Program.

The next regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2016, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Administrative Complex.

Board packet information can be found on the school district’s website old.wcs.edu. Select About WCS; select Board Meeting Schedule; select the meeting date; and then select Agendas. Supporting documents are linked from the agenda.