By Cassie Walsh
Paris, Tenn.–At Thursday’s Henry County School System board meeting, the board named Dr. Felicia Bates as the interim Director of Schools for the Henry County School System. Dr. Brian Norton’s last day will be June 30 and Dr. Bates will serve as interim director from July 1- July 14 until Dr. Leah Watkins takes over as the position on July 15.
Board Chairman Jill Coker said the school system is required by the state name a director of schools even if it is for a short time. Bates will return to her position as the Director of K- 3 Curriculum & Instruction on July 15.
Dr. Norton thanked several people in the school system and the community for their support while he served as the over the past four years.
“I want to say thank you media, you have always been a positive source for telling our story and I appreciate each of you for doing that. I want to thank the County Commission and Mayor Greer, they support public education in Henry County, financially like most don’t. The percentage of the general fund that goes to general education is great compared to a lot of other districts across the state.”
Norton said, “The board of education I’m very thankful you gave me the opportunity to serve in an exceptional system. There are exceptional teachers, students, administrators, staff and it’s been a joy. Henry County is such a benevolent community, they love their schools and they support them with an unwavering spirit. Thank the Lord for this incredible journey in Henry County.”
Silas Winders, Jack Pressey Recognized
The board recognized Silas Winders, who was recently named as the TSSAA State Champion in the 3200 meter race.
Dr. Norton said the school system did not want the year to pass without celebrating the success of the Henry County High School track and field team. Winders, who is a junior at HCHS and a member of the HCHS track and field team, was named the 2019 state champion in the 3200 meter (2 mile) race in track and field. Norton said that in 2017, Silas was runner-up to his brother, Titus, who was named the state champion for that year.
“Coach (Lance) Winders and Coach (Stephanie) Winders are no strangers to us. They have been leading cross-country and track and field for several years. They were stars themselves in their high school and college careers,” said Norton. “With those genes and a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and work ethic you have to demonstrate a work ethic second to none. Silas we wanted to take this time to recognize you. You are the fastest runner in Tennessee in the two mile race.”
“I’m proud to represent Henry County and I think it’s a good place to succeed in,” Winders said.
Jack Pressey Named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
The board also recognized Jack Pressey as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at Thursday night’s board meeting. Dr. Brian Norton said that Pressey is known to the students at Henry Elementary Schools at Grandpa Jack or Mr. Jack, started volunteering at Henry as a Team Read volunteer two years ago. Norton said the Team Read program is a collaboration between the Henry County Literacy Council, the Henry County School System and the Paris Special School District that focuses to improve reading among second-graders in the schools.
Team Read volunteers are asked to come in at least one hour a week and read with students, but Norton said Mr. Jack gives at least one hour or more everyday. Pressey works with Lana Currence’s second grade class at Henry School.
Currently Pressey is the only Team Read volunteer at Henry Elementary before this year county school board member Jim McCampbell also helped by volunteering for the program at Henry Elementary.
“The main reason I volunteer is because of this guy right here (Dr. Norton) and Dr. Webb,” said Pressey. “The Lord told me I needed to help others… but to go over there I’ve never been to Henry School. Going over there they just broke my heart.”
Pressey told the board a story about how he went to Henry School the Monday after the Super Bowl and he asked how their weekend was if they got to watch football and eat a bunch of food. He said one little boy said Mr. Jack I didn’t get to eat anything, which is what broke Pressey’s heart.
“There are several kids at Henry School out there like this,” said Pressey. “I can’t talk enough about Lana Currence, she is something else. At Christmas time I got to read to the kids and then I surprised them all with gift cards to Steak N Stake. You could just see the smiles on these kids. This honor is just something else. The school system and the teachers I am in awe of.”
Henry County School System Approves 2019-20 Budget
Dr. Brian Norton said for the fourth year in a row the school system has had a balanced budget and the system hasn’t touched the fund balance within that time. Norton told the board that the 2019-20 budget has increased just shy of 2% since last year. He also stated that 2019-20 school year will be the first year since 2010 that the school system has seen enrollment increase.
“Enrollment has increased by 31 students,” said Norton.
The 2019-20 budget also allowed the school system to have the starting pay for beginning teachers who have a bachelor’s degree with no years of experience be $40,003, which is the first time for the school system has crossed the $40,000 threshold salary for beginning teachers.
“Outside of the municipals (near Shelby County) and the PSSD, I don’t believe that the starting salary for beginning teachers is the case in West Tennessee,” said Norton.
He also said that in the 2019-20 budget the school system did add another position to the finance department to help LonNita McDonald, who serves as the Director of Finance for the system.
“That position should have been added four years ago when LonNita took the role of Director of Finance. She maintained her responsibility as Title I director and bookkeeper and doing two jobs for four years,” said Norton. “She continued to maintain that work ethic, which is why we added that position. LonNita chose to make a cost savings for this district.”
Photo: Dr. Norton speaks at his last meeting as Director of Schools.
Menu
