By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—At a busy and lengthy meeting Thursday night, the Henry County Schools board of education heard an update on plans for the High School’s 50th anniversary celebration, re-elected officers, heard reports on the inclusion of ag and art classes in the middle schools and discussed the latest data reports from the State Department of Education.
At the meeting’s outset, Jill Coker was reelected Board Chairman and Jim McCampbell was elected Vice Chairman. In re-electing Coker, Board Member Rod Frey said, “Jill had a hard last year as chair and she’s done a fantastic job in my opinion. We haven’t made it easy on her and she deserves a year without controversy.”
High School Principal Michele Webb updated the board on the progress of plans for the 50th Anniversary Celebration which will be held the weekend of September 27-29. It will include a tailgate party before the football game Friday, September 27, a HCHS All Classes Alumni Gala the evening of Saturday, September 28; and an open house the afternoon of Sunday, September 29 and that will include the Little Theater Renaming Ceremony, Time Capsule Burial and tours of the building.
Memorabilia is being collected for displays that will be at the open house.
Items are also being collected for the time capsule that will be buried and Webb said it’s a large vault so it will be able to hold several items. Items already donated included a letter jacket and a tile from the former high school gym floor.
Webb and student representatives Carson Nelson, Katie Coffield, Garrett Rogers, and Alyssa Mellon said there has been a lot of interest in the celebration and alumni are signing up for the various activities. Webb noted that 10 former classes have already signed up to participate in the tailgate and Band Director Kyle Graves said 50 former band members already have signed up to participate in band activities for that weekend.
“We hope you all join us for a fun weekend,” Webb said.
–Curriculum Director Betsy Allison reported on how excited teachers are that ag and art are now available in all K-8 schools in the system. She noted that the agriculture programs in the schools “have exploded and now we’re going to add the middle schools. It’s so exciting for us.” Harrelson has already signed up 32 students; 27 at Henry School and Lakewood is still in recruitment.
Allison said a Community Advisory Council has been set up and includes Chair Emory Bradley, Travis McLeese, Ty Wilson and Tracy Middleton.
Rod Frey noted, “Our ag programs have put Henry County on the map.”
FFA Advisor Laura Moss said, “We have amazing kids in our ag program and there’s only 13 chartered middle schools in Tennessee which makes us really excited. I want you to know how much of an impact it has on us and our students.”
With that in mind FFA Officers Taylor Dunagan, Kara Barnhart and Britain Hutson presented honorary degrees to school board members. The degrees were embossed on wood plaques which also were decorated with outlines of Henry County with each board member’s name. The plaques were prepared by FFA Advisor Ryan Inman.
–Director of Schools Dr Leah Watkins updated the board on results of the latest data reports from the State Department of Education. She said Henry Co. Schools is at Level 3 and she said that is a good solid rating for the district. The reported also showed improvement in third grade reading and Henry County was one of three districts in NW Tennessee showing growth in 3-8th grade math.
In other business:
–Board Attorney Rob Whitfield’s contract was renewed.
–District Maintenance Supervisor John Akers and contractors reported on the various district building projects.
–Dr. Watkins said that Webb and Grove Principal Tim Mason were selected to participate in the Rural Principals’ Network.
Photo: High School Principal Michele Webb and students update the board on plans for the school’s 50th anniversary. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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