MoCo Schools Recognized as Beta District of Distinction

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The Montgomery County School System officials were presented plaques in recognition of the school system’s status of Beta District of Distinction at the regular meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, September 19.

According to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beverly Faircloth, the school system received a letter acknowledging this accomplishment last month. This award acknowledges school systems with thriving Beta Clubs at all levels of academia— elementary, middle, and high schools. Each school level received a commemorative plaque for this award.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Dr. Stan Rentz informed Board members that the high school is currently undergoing 1-on-1 meetings between students, Counselor Rebecca Phillips, and Principal Dr. Scott Barrow to review individual graduation plans for each student. This is an annual procedure and has been proven to aid students in their journey to graduation, according to Dr. Barrow. District 156 State Representative Leesa Hagan, R-Lyons, will be visiting the Montgomery County Elementary School campus on October 3, to read to the prekindergarten students.

Dr. Rentz also shared that attendance incentives continue to be utilized at the elementary school to continue to encourage students to maintain good attendance.

Grandparents’ Day, which was held on September 9, had more than 300 visitors enter the elementary school. Dr. Rentz said this amount of participation echoes the enthusiasm and support of the community for the school.

Policy Updates

Three policies were approved by the Board after having been placed on the table for the procedural 30 days at the last meeting.

IEDA

The IEDA Policy, also known as the Recess/Unstructured Break Time policy, requires all elementary school students to have some form of recess every day, except for days when physical education, structured activity time (field trips, assemblies), or inclement weather (with no indoor space available) occurs.

IKBB

The IKBB Policy, or Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process, states that parents, emancipated minors or students at the age of majority, or school staff may submit written complaints on divisive concepts being taught or encouraged at the school. Once the principal of the school where the alleged violation occurs receives the written complaint, they have 5 days to investigate the issue, and 10 days to respond to the complainant. Once receiving the administrative response, the complainant may appeal to the Superintendent and Board of Education, who will then review the situation and make a decision.

Complainants also have the right to request nonconfidential records that may substantiate a complaint under this policy. Records should be produced and available for review within 3 days, and if not, the requester should be given a reason why the records are unavailable or provided a timeline of availability. If records or response are not given within 30 days, the individual may appeal the denial or failure to the Board, which must put the matter on the next meeting’s agenda.

Some subjects that are deemed “divisive concepts” within the policy are: racism, and personal political beliefs.

IKBC

The IKBC Policy, also known as Material Harmful to Minors Complaint Resolution process, has similar guidelines. This policy allows parents or guardians to submit detailed complaints of this nature to the principal of the child’s school.

Within 7 days, the school principal should review the complaint and review the situation. The parent should receive a response from the school principal within 10 days, and once that response is received, the parent may appeal the decision to the Board, which will speak with the parent and investigate the situation.

The name of the material that the Board determines to not be harmful should be placed on the Board’s website within 15 days of the decision and will remain there for no less than 12 months. The parent may also request access to appealed materials that are physical in nature and accessible to students through the school’s media center.

Examples of material that are considered harmful to minors in this policy are the description or representation of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse when it appeals to the prurient, shameful, or morbid interest, lacking in educational value, or discussed in a offensive nature. Substitute Pay Increase

Board members unanimously approved the raise of pay for certified substitute teachers to $100 per day as an attempt to encourage more certified educators to work as substitutes when needed.

Personnel

The Board approved the hiring of Alternative School Paraprofessional Rebecca Snead, and several substitute teachers, bus drivers, bus monitors, and school nutrition workers: Randy Dudley, David Jackson, Judy Quarterman, AnnaBeth Sharpton, and Ted Walter. The resignation of Paraprofessional Ashley Coursey was accepted.

MCHS BETA – The Montgomery County High School (MCHS) Beta Club works throughout the year to complete community service projects. The group is led by Sponsor Kerri Anderson, who was unable to attend the meeting. L to R: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beverly Faircloth, Superintendent Dr. Stan Rentz, Principal Dr. Scott Barrow.

MCES BETA — The activity and growth of the Montgomery County Elementary School (MCES) Beta Club contributed to awarding the National Beta District of Distinction honor to Montgomery County Schools. Within the past year, the MCES Beta Club has thrived, as one student from this club even won the Georgia Elementary Beta Club Presidency. L to R: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beverly Faircloth, Superintendent Dr. Stan Rentz.