By Tim Alsobrooks
Paris, Tenn.- At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Paris Special Schools Board members heard a presentation on the backpack program. The program sends snacks home in student’s backpacks and the donations come from around the county in forms of money, time, and other donations.
Teacher Allison Palmer showed off the bag they send home on Fridays to every student PreK thru 2nd graders who are on free and reduced lunch. Palmer said parents can forgo the food for their students if they wish but around 340 students in these grades currently receive the food. Monies from BPU Roundup, Helping Hand, Rotary Club, HCMC, and local churches help pay for the food and volunteers help pack the bags. Lakeway IGA delivers the food on Wednesdays and it is packed and sent home on Fridays.
Board chairman Richard Edwards, who volunteers to pack the bags, said it everything is ready, it doesn’t take us long, and I know these kids that are getting these bags would be upset if they didn’t get their goodies.
Teacher Allison Palmer showed off the bag they send home on Fridays to every student PreK thru 2nd graders who are on free and reduced lunch. Palmer said parents can forgo the food for their students if they wish but around 340 students in these grades currently receive the food. Monies from BPU Roundup, Helping Hand, Rotary Club, HCMC, and local churches help pay for the food and volunteers help pack the bags. Lakeway IGA delivers the food on Wednesdays and it is packed and sent home on Fridays.
Board chairman Richard Edwards, who volunteers to pack the bags, said it everything is ready, it doesn’t take us long, and I know these kids that are getting these bags would be upset if they didn’t get their goodies.
Each bag is about $2.85 and the system spent about $25,000 for the weekend backpack program this year, from donations and money raised throughout various programs.
2019-20 Budget
The board approved the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The budget includes a 1% raise factored in at $120K and and 1.5% bonus, which cost the system $180K from their fund balance.
Other items in the budget for the new fiscal year include a bus lift for $40K and $100K in additional technology funds.
The system has two fewer teachers with benefits this year and they have foregone purchasing a bus. The system also received an additional $29,000 in BEP funds from the state. Superintendent Dr. Norma Gerrell also assured board members that if the State doesn’t come thru with funds for the Read to Be Ready program, the PSSD will be able to fund it this year as well.
The board approved the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The budget includes a 1% raise factored in at $120K and and 1.5% bonus, which cost the system $180K from their fund balance.
Other items in the budget for the new fiscal year include a bus lift for $40K and $100K in additional technology funds.
The system has two fewer teachers with benefits this year and they have foregone purchasing a bus. The system also received an additional $29,000 in BEP funds from the state. Superintendent Dr. Norma Gerrell also assured board members that if the State doesn’t come thru with funds for the Read to Be Ready program, the PSSD will be able to fund it this year as well.
Physical Therapy, Coordinated School Health
In a housekeeping measure the board approved a contract with HCMC for Physical Therapy services and approved the Coordinated School Health Budget and application for 2019-20. Sherry Wagner told board members there were no changes in expense to the physical therapy contract. Board member Bill Jelks abstained from voting.
For the coordinated school health budget, $82,000 in grant monies were received and Wagner said this year we added 400 flu shots for students. Wagner said there are plans in the works this year to add 3rd graders to the weekend backpack program thru work with the Paris Rotary Club.
In a housekeeping measure the board approved a contract with HCMC for Physical Therapy services and approved the Coordinated School Health Budget and application for 2019-20. Sherry Wagner told board members there were no changes in expense to the physical therapy contract. Board member Bill Jelks abstained from voting.
For the coordinated school health budget, $82,000 in grant monies were received and Wagner said this year we added 400 flu shots for students. Wagner said there are plans in the works this year to add 3rd graders to the weekend backpack program thru work with the Paris Rotary Club.
New Student Registration for PSSD is July 26th 8am to Noon
In her superintendent report, Dr. Gerrell said we had visitors to in-service as Benton County teachers came to collaborate ideas and they received a nice letter from Benton County thanking the PSSD for their professionalism.
She said even with the heavy rains we’ve had, the new work with sealing and roofing, we’ve had no issues with leaking and everything looks great at Paris Elementary.
New student registration for Paris Special School District students will be July 26th from 8am until Noon. Dr. Gerrell said, some who have moved into the area over the summer have already registered with their schools and that will continue at schools July 26th.
In her superintendent report, Dr. Gerrell said we had visitors to in-service as Benton County teachers came to collaborate ideas and they received a nice letter from Benton County thanking the PSSD for their professionalism.
She said even with the heavy rains we’ve had, the new work with sealing and roofing, we’ve had no issues with leaking and everything looks great at Paris Elementary.
New student registration for Paris Special School District students will be July 26th from 8am until Noon. Dr. Gerrell said, some who have moved into the area over the summer have already registered with their schools and that will continue at schools July 26th.
Dr. Gerrell Receives Rave Reviews on Evaluation
Edwards reviewed the evaluation forms from board members for Dr. Gerrell. Edwards said there were a wide range of topics that related to her job such as staff development, relationship with board, community, etc. After tallying the scores, 1-5, with 3 being meets expectations and 5 being excels, the overall average for Dr. Gerrell was just under 4.5, which is great, he said.
Edwards reviewed the evaluation forms from board members for Dr. Gerrell. Edwards said there were a wide range of topics that related to her job such as staff development, relationship with board, community, etc. After tallying the scores, 1-5, with 3 being meets expectations and 5 being excels, the overall average for Dr. Gerrell was just under 4.5, which is great, he said.
He said, “Norma and I went over all that this morning, and she has worked hard for our system and we appreciate the job Dr. Gerrell has done.”
Dr. Gerrell said, “It’s a pleasure to work for the PSSD.”
Dr. Gerrell said, “It’s a pleasure to work for the PSSD.”
Photo: Board members look over items that are included in the backpacks. (Tim Alsobrooks photo).