The Pike County Board of Education approved the Pike County School System’s Virtual High School Program Options Admission Criteria at its Monday meeting.
Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of the Pike County School System, called the program the “most exciting issue” to come before the board in a while.
“I’ve been asked where the Virtual High School Program will be and I say, anywhere we want it to be,” Bazzell said. “And, it can be. But there is a need for a home base for the program. I do have a place in mind that will be affordable and with easy access. But it’s not final.”
Bazzell said the Virtual High School Program will serve two segments of the high school population – those who are above and beyond what the traditional program offers and those who require credit recovery.
“This program has the potential to be very positive,” he said. “There will be some start-up costs including laptops. But we’re ready to go. I can hardly wait to get started.”
The board’s agenda included new business, housekeeping items, permission requests, retirement resignations and resignations.
In new business, the board approved updates to the system’s secondary term grading and the secondary math offerings. The board also approved the request for Godwin & Jones to be the architect for the softball project at Goshen High School.
In personnel action, the board accepted retirement resignations from Elizabeth Sigers, GES, and Claire Taylor, PCES effective June 1, 2014; and Dawn Scarbrough, GES, effective May 31, 2014. The board also accepted the retirement resignation of Edward Brown, bus driver, effective June 1, 2014.
The board accepted the resignations of Zachary Searels, PCHS, and Ann Renee Bentley, BMS, both effective May 29, 2014.
The board approved permission for volunteer status for Sherell Brown, football at PCHS and Taiwan Iverson, basketball, PCHS.
The board gave its permission for the Pike County High School Gospel Choir to participate in the opening of a new Beacon Hill Worship Center May 9-11 at Madison.
Permission was given for SFC Aaron Young to attend a Cadet Command Logistic Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky April 27 through May 1.
The request for the Goshen High School Junior Varsity Scholar’s Bowl team to attend and participate in the 7th Annual Junior National Academic Championship in Washington D.C. May 30 and June 1 was approved.
Permission was also granted for Technology students and George Stringer, Technology instructor, to attend the 2014 Skills Championships and Career Expo April 23 and 24 in Birmingham.
The board was asked to approve funds in the amount of $1,000 to be used to help purchase competition uniforms for the GHS competition cheerleading squad. The request was granted.
Permission was given for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Junior Ambassador Program to use PCBOE bus and driver to transport Junior Ambassadors to Fort Rucker April 30.
The board approved the requests for the sixth-grade gifted program students to travel Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga. The date has not been set, perhaps in mid to late May.
Permission was given for Dr. Mark Head, Pam Gardner, Tammy Calhoun, Shantell Rouse, Anita Grant, Willie Wright, Shondra Whitaker, Warren Weeks, Major Lane and Wanda Corley to attend the 2014 Mega Conference July 24-28 in Mobile.
The board also gave its permission for Major Lane, Wanda Corley, Lee Scott, Tracey Thomas, Dr. Mark Head, Dr. Donnella Carter, Shantell Rouse, Anita Grant and Pam Franklin to attend CLAS Annual Summer Convention, June 22 through 25.
Anita Grant and Shantell Rouse were also granted permission to attend the National Association of Elementary School Principals Annual Conference July 10 through 12 in Nashville.
The board also approved the request for Dr. Donnella Carter to attend the 24th Regional Minority Leadership Conference for Administrators June 3 through 6 in Bay St. Louis, Miss.