The Williamson County Board of Education continued to honor students during the last meeting of the school year May 18, 2015.
- Two students received first place at the Skills USA State Conference. Caleb Jackson, Centennial High, won in Technical Drafting. His teacher is Tim Sawyer. Spencer Miller, Independence, won Advertising Design. His teacher is Stephanie Prewitt.
- Several schools won first place awards at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences competition. Brentwood’s Shayna Funderburk won for Editor, and Funderburk and Noah Osuna won for Public Service Announcement. Their teacher is Ronnie Adcock. Franklin’s Michael Castellon, McKenna Martin, Christian Whittemore and Connor Adams won for Newscast; Peter Newsom and Megan Pogue won for Arts & Entertainment; and Castellon, Whittemore and Martin won for Fiction. Their teacher is Keri Thompson. Independence High’s Juan Lopez won for Animation/Graphics/Special Effects; Raquel Kimball won for Director; Parker Morley won for Photography; and Morley and Ian Huber won for Public Affairs / Community Service. Their teacher is Matt Balzer. Ravenwood students Ethan Carlson, Cameron Wilson, Andrew Jenson, Brianna Gregory, Ethan Seegmiller and Neil Shukla won for Sports. Shane Shoemake is their teacher.
- Emma Sarappo and Kate Huddleston from Ravenwood won All State Yearbook from the Tennessee High School Press Association. Their teacher is Stephanie Dykes.
- In athletics, Centennial’s Johnny Heckman was named Gatorade State Boys Soccer Player of the Year 2014-15. His coaches are Robbie Stewart, Ross Lyons and Tyler VanBussum.
- At the Tennessee High School Speech and Debate League competition, Ravenwood students won first place in two categories. Kallen Fons won for Set Design. Her coach is Brian Kaufman. Drew Taylor and Eliot Forster-Benson won for Public Forum Debate. Their coach is Wendy Mucci.
- Brentwood’s Josie Dowd will have her artwork on display at the U.S. Capital because she received the Congressional Art Award. Her teacher is Heather McHugh.
- Edmondson Elementary’s Gitanjali Rao won first place in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Aviation Art Contest. Her teacher is Elizabeth Perthel.Other News:
- Board member Gary Anderson was recognized for 25 years of service on the School Board.
- In the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Mike Looney shared that the achievement tests will be called TNReady next year and that Williamson County Schools will be required to use computers for testing.
- In the Board Chairman’s Report, Vice Chairman Dr. Beth Burgos reminded the group that there will be a joint growth and planning meeting with the members of the County Commission Education Committee on Saturday June 13 and 27 beginning at 8 a.m. in the PD room. She alsothanked the Page Middle Jazz Band under direction of Carol Strayler and Renaissance High student Jehna Karsonovich for performing prior to the meeting.
In New Business, the Board:
- Approved policy Work-Based Learning on first reading.
- Approved five budget amendments to the 2014-15 General Purpose School Budget including a resolution for $350,000 for Trustee Commission; a resolution for $30,000 for employee fingerprinting and background checks; a resolution for $650,000 for insurance claims and liability insurance costs; a resolution for $75,000 to cover janitorial services from the past winter; and a resolution for $30,000 for outside attorneys to represent the School Board and Director of Schools in a lawsuit.
- Approved school fees for 2015-16.
In unfinished business:
- The Board reinstated the family tuition rate for employees living out of county but attending WCS to $4003 for 2015-16.
In other business, the Board:
- Approved recommended field trip fee requests.
- Approved two policies on second reading including Web Pages and Credit Requirements for Graduation.
- Approved the outside contractor child care contract for the YMCA to provide after care in some elementary schools.
- Approved high school courses for 2015-16.
- Approved the graduation window for 2016.
- Pulled the federal projects, applications and budgets to include Federal Projects, Applications, and Budgets: ESEA as Amended by No Child Left Behind Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, Part B, IDEA Discretionary, and IDEA Pre-School); Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Act of 2006 and Carl Perkins Reserve Grant; Title III Immigrant Grant, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, Superintendent Authorizations until the topics could be discussed further at the June 11 work session.
- Approved a reserve for education.
The next regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, June 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Administrative Complex.
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