By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—In her first meeting as Paris Special Schools Director of Schools Tuesday evening, Dr. Norma Gerrell announced the open house for the Rhea School construction project is set for 5-6 p.m. next Tuesday, July 25. She also announced plans for a “Fun With No Sun” day of the Solar Eclipse in August and a public sale of items from the Rhea School later this week.
The open house had been originally planned for the night of the board meeting, but was delayed by a ‘glitch’ in floor installation, according to Contractor Cary Henson. The glitch may be a blessing in disguise, he said, because it gave everyone a chance to review all the colors and the pattern for the hallways one more time.
Gerrell also announced there will be a public sale from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. this Thursday, July 20, at Rhea Elementary School for such items as school desks, student chairs, student cubbies, tables and various other items.
In addition to the public, staff from local pre-schools, churches and day cares will be especially interested, Gerrell said. Please enter from the Lone Oak Rd. entrance to the school.
PSSD will be in session August 21, the day of the Solar Eclipse, but Gerrell noted the district will dedicate the curriculum and activities to the eclipse. Glasses for the students have been delivered, she said. “It will be a great day to dedicate to astronomy and we’re thinking of calling it ‘Fun With No Sun’.”
Paris Special School District employees will be receiving a two percent raise and one percent bonus under the 2017-2018 budget presented at the meeting. The budget also shows ending fund balance of $6,658,558 in general purpose and $3,254,804 in construction.
Board Chair Richard Edwards noted, “In Norma’s 18 days as superintendent, we’ve met two of three times and talked several times and I’d like to say that she is on top of things and doing a great job. I know it will continue that way.”
In other business:
–Gerrell reminded everyone that the first day of school will be Friday, August 4, which will be an abbreviated day, but buses will be running. She will be posting information on parent orientations and the media also will be publishing information on them.
–Gerrell introduced everyone to the district’s new Early Learning Coordinator Allison Palmer, her husband Bob and son Eli. “She has been a second grade teacher at Rhea and I’m excited to have her in this position.”
In the annual report on bullying, Gerrell noted there were five bullying incidents last school year. She said the district needs to look at the way bullying is defined so that it’s understood the same way by parents, students and teachers. “Bullying by definition has to be a recurring incident,” she said.
Photo: New Director of Schools Norma Gerrell and Board Members Jon Davidson, John Steele and Bill Jelks listen to a reports at tonight’s meeting. (McFarlin photo).
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