It’s Been a Good Month for New School Construction
“The new school construction has been proceeding well in the last few weeks because of better weather,” Superintendent Suzanne Couey reported in the Wheeler County Board of Education meeting on April 12. “Crews are pouring concrete footings and completing sitework. Contractors are working on getting as many supplies delivered to the site as possible because of production/ supply issues with some materials.” Couey provided the Board with an “updated contingency log outlining issues that have arisen with sitework.” In the Board’s March meeting, a few roofing projects were discussed and approved. Couey reported that the projects and repairs “at the baseball field and [the] high school office area are complete. The only work remaining at the warehouse is to install gutters.”
Superintendent Couey also provided an update on the school system’s COVID cases. The “numbers are still looking good at both campuses,” as there have been no new cases in several weeks. “We will continue with the same precautions we have followed all year to maintain those numbers,” she said. Thanks to the local health department, “all teachers requesting vaccines received them.” With this report in mind, Couey reported the school system’s intention “to hold traditional end-of-year ceremonies (honors programs, graduation, prom) with appropriate precautions.”
In response to recent calls to the Board of Education office asking them to consider the implementation of school uniforms, Couey reported in March the intent to do so. The possibility was proposed to the Board for the sake of receiving further feedback from parents. “After many responses from parents, administrators [have] adjusted the proposed dress code,” Couey said. “The Board voiced no concerns with [the] changes, and administrators will update handbooks for next school year.” The Wheeler County School System will receive an additional allocation of federal funds from the ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Fun)- ARP Act (American Rescue Plan). “The district will utilize part of the funds for summer school for all grade levels, transportation for summer school, instructional resources, and salaries,” Couey stated. “District administrators are working on budgets from all CARES Acts (Coronavirus Air, Relief, and Economic Security) to ensure funds are spent responsibly and in the best interest of students, staff, and the district.”
The Board approved the proposed calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. After exiting executive session, the board also approved a presented list of returning staff members, as well as several new personnel recommended by Superintendent Couey: William Johnson (MS/ HS social studies teacher), Kristen Hartley (MS/HS math teacher), Dennis Logue (HS Special Education teacher – to complete this year as replacement for Coach McArthur as well), Mary Hess (WCES teacher), Andrea Towns (Parent/Community Involvement Coordinator), and Alicia Newsome (substitute bus driver to become permanent driver if needed). The Board also approved the resignations of Marilyn Fountain, Brenda Mitchell, and Tim Deep (all retiring) and Beth Gibbs, Sean Sasser, and Eunice Paulk.
