By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The implementation of a new attendance incentive plan, a change in the 2020 graduation date and a handful of personnel updates highlighted the agenda at Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Union City School Board.
Assistant Director of Schools Michael Paul Miller also announced graduation for the UCHS Class of 2020 has been moved up a day, to Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.
He also briefed board members on the new Chronic Absenteeism Reward System that is already in place at all three Union City Schools.
Miller said the state board of education defined “chronic absenteeism” as 10 percent or above and noted that, last year, the figure was below that – 8.8 percent – at UC Schools.
“Anything under 10 percent is outstanding, but we want to be pro-active as far as keeping our figure below that and encouraging our students to attend school every day,” he told the board.
Miller said the new incentive plan came after considerable discussion and feedback from teachers, administrators and district administration.
Board vice chairman Cathy Waggoner — upon hearing details of the new plan — lauded the idea and especially Miller, saying, “I applaud you for offering incentive, rather than punishment,” to students and their parents.
Chairman Karl Ullrich concurred, saying, “I really like the incentive for the parents, too.”
Board member Rev. Curtis McLendon asked that the board be kept up to date with how it was received by all involved.
The plan will offer various rewards to students and even a matching monetary reward for parents at UC Elementary and Middle School for perfect attendance.
A car, graciously donated by City Autoplex, will be the grand prize awarded to one lucky Union City High School student at an end-of-the-year drawing.
Miller also announced graduation for the UCHS Class of 2020 has been moved up a day, to Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.
Ullrich and Dr. Wright Jernigan were nominated and subsequently named as board representatives to serve as trustees for the Sick Leave Bank. They will be joined by UC Education Association faculty members Abby Cruce and Alicia Suiter, who were chosen for spots on the board, with UC Director of Schools Wes Kennedy rounding out that slate of trustees.
Among the several personnel moves, the board:
- Unanimously approved the hiring of non-faculty coaches Austin Atwill (UCMS baseball assistant) and Savion Hayslett (UCMS football assistant).
- Was informed of the resignation of UCHS English teacher/assistant softball coach Chelsea Farmer, who accepted an assistant softball position at UT Martin.
- Unanimously approved the hiring of Ashley Martin (UCHS English teacher); Laura Ashley Chism (UCMS educational assistant); Lyndsey Hayslett (UCES educational assistant); and Molly Matheny (UCHS food service, previously part-time).
Six of the seven board members were present for the meeting, with Jernigan the lone exception.
Photo: Assistant Director of Schools Mike Miller.