By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.–After weather interruptions earlier this year, the Rhea School construction project is back on track, according to a status update provided by Contractor Cary Henson and Architect Ben Whitt at Tuesday night’s Paris Special Schools District board.
“It looks like we’re back on track and we fully expect to move in the month of July and be ready to start school in August,” Whitt said.
Whitt noted that the project is utilizing “some of the best contractors for each trade, in my opinion. And they’ve all been good to work with. They’re high quality contractors and we don’t expect any issues going forward.”
A ten cent hike in lunch prices was approved for the next school year by the board on recommendation of Director of Schools Dr. Norma Gerrell. The price will increase from $1.90 to $2.00. “Our rationale is that we have a fully staffed cafeteria in each building now and we’re on the road to a new cafeteria at Rhea”, Gerrell said. “This isn’t going to generate a tremendous amount of funds but I believe we can stay at this price for several years to come.”
Even with the ten cent increase, the lunch price charged at PSSD is still “well under our neighboring districts,” Gerrell said. “And it actually will be easier for parents to pay a $10 bill each week rather than $1.90 times five.”
Children on reduced lunch prices still pay the same reduced price. The ten cent increase only applies to students who pay full lunch prices.
In other business:
–The board approved a pilot program for gifted students for grades 3-8 and approved a new job description for the positions that would go with it. Gerrell said there are 51 students considered gifted in grades 3-8. It will be a two-year pilot beginning with the next school year.
–Sherry Wagner reported the Fiscal 2019 Consolidated Application for IDEA/ESEA was approved for the next school year for programs for learning disabilities education.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin
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