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Across the Board – May 16, 2016

Published May 17, 2016

Students and staff members were celebrated during the regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education on May 16, 2016.

WCS students won 11 of 15 categories at the 2016 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences competition. From Brentwood, Andrew Fischer, Caitlin Alexander, Ben Sherrill, Caleb Howard, Timmy Derryberry, Reed Smith, Abbi Williams, Rosie Gunger, Kira Lee and Emma Richards won for Best Newscast. Ben Sherrill, Matthew Willoughby and Jake Fisher won Best PSA. Their teacher is Ronnie Adcock. Peter Newsom from Franklin won for News Story; Christian Whittemore, Tyler Parrish, Andrew Kochamba, Nial Redha, Sydney Hampton, Mckenna Martin, Chel Warren, Caitlin McFadden, Hope Dyra and Conner Wood won in the Fiction category; Andrew Kochamba and Hope Dyra won for Director; and Mckenna Martin won for Writer. Their teacher is Keri Thompson. From Independence, Morgan Searles, Ocean Goins, Julia Schaffer and Zach Fulkerson won for Public Affairs/Community Service, and Zach Fulkerson was a co-winner for Sports. Their teacher is Matt Balzer. Page High’s Jackson Rife also won for Sports. His teacher is Terry Flowers. Ravenwood’s Mitch Mullins won for Photographer and also for Animation/Graphics. Chad Tetzlaff, Cheyenne Smith and Ally Newsom won for Arts & Entertainment. Their teacher is Shane Shoemake.

During the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, Samantha Faber from Franklin won for Advertising and Design. Her teacher is Melissa Estes. Peter Newsom and Tyler Parrish from Franklin won Video Production. Their teacher is Keri Thompson. Olivia Bates from Independence won for Photography. Her teacher is Stephanie Prewitt.

Shreyas Kumar from Brentwood won first place in the National Forensic League Tennessee Congressional Debate House 1, and Samuel Dowd won first place in the National Forensic League Tennessee Congressional Debate House 2. Their teacher is Harriet Medlin.

Franklin’s Allison Segard was honored for becoming the Outstanding JROTC Cadet of the Year. Her teacher is Greg Hoover. Allison Connor from Brentwood was awarded for the Congressional Art Award. Her teacher is Heather McHugh.

Fairview Middle students received first place awards at the Tennessee Technology Student Association. Alexis Miniat, Allyson Swafford and Josh Cox won for Children’s Stories and Alexis Miniat won for Technology Essays. Their teacher is Sara Reynolds.

Gitanjali Rao from Edmondson was honored for two accomplishments. She won the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division Aviation Art Award and the National Academy of Engineering 2016 EngineerGirl Essay Contest for 3-5 grades. Her art teacher is Elizabeth Perthel.

In staff spotlights Annette Kuykendall, librarian from Fairview Middle, received the Louise Meredith School Library Media Award. Centennial High Principal Dr. Leigh Webb received the Field Award for Excellence in Tennessee Secondary School Leadership.

In addition, the Board was treated to a musical performance prior to the meeting by Independence High Declaration Singers under the direction of Sydney Shadrix.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Mike Looney shared that the State had selected Pearson, Inc. to score the TN Ready assessments. He also shared that the weather might affect a number of outdoor graduation ceremonies that are scheduled for Friday evening.

In the Board Chairman’s Report, Gary Anderson called on member Dan Cash who thanked the Summit students and staff for their work session presentation.

In New Business, the Board:

  • Approved two policies on first reading including Testing for Credit and Credit Requirements for Graduation.
  • Approved High School course lists for 2016-17.
  • Approved one 2015-2016 School Board Budget resolutions for salaries transfer.
  • Approved a proposed settlement of pending lawsuit.

In other business, the Board:

  • Approved recommended field trip fee requests.
  • Approved ePlan Applications and Budgets for FY2017 Federal Projects to include ESEA, IDEA, IDEA Pre-School, IDEA Discretionary Grant, Title X McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Education Act of 2006, Carl Perkins Reserve Grant, with Superintendent Authorizations.
  • Approved a Crockett Elementary School pavilion.
  • Approved a Ravenwood High School auxiliary gym divider.
  • Approved the Rufuge Church of Franklin lease agreement.
  • Approved storage sheds at Summit High and Spring Station Middle.

The next regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, June 20, 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.