deadline on Consent Decree

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

A majority of the Pike County Board of Education meeting held Thursday night was dedicated to discussing the Consent Decree report mailed off earlier in the day.

Deadline to have the boxes of information into the appropriate hands is June 30.

"It took a lot of work to do that," superintendent John Key said of sending in the reports early.

The reports include issues on facilities, minorities, special education and policies on such things as harassment.

Mark Bazzell, assistant superintendent, said the school system has to show many things, such as they are making sure minorities know about available opportunities.

"I think we made some progress, but we still have a lot to do," Bazzell said.

Key said, in a year’s time, the system can request the Consent Decree be lifted, but believes it is unlikely in the area of facilities because there is no money available with which to build new classroom buildings.

In other business, the board:

· Approved the employment of Molly Casey as bookkeeper at Pike County Elementary School, Michelle Caffie as fifth grade teacher at Goshen Elementary School, J. Brent Hanchey as science teacher/coach at Pike County High School, Shannon Boswell as bookkeeper at PCHS, Marty Balkcom as sixth grade teacher at Banks School, Alithia Gunter as first grade teacher at Banks School, Joyce Osunde as special education teacher at Goshen High School and Roy Sermons as English teacher at Banks School.

· Accepted the resignations of Mamie Foreman, bus driver; Derek Whaley, English teacher/coach at Banks School pending receipt of his letter, Diane Boswell, teacher at Banks School pending receipt of her letter.

· Approved a contract extension from nine to 10 months for Sharon Denison.

· Approved a request by the Pike County Extension Office for the use of a van for 4-H participants to attend district and state events on July 10-11 and July 18-20, pending approval from the state attorney.

· Approve one new hire special education teacher at PCES to attend the Alabama Reading Initiative training on July 9-19.

· Set July 19 as the date for fiscal year 2002 budget hearings. Budgets must be filed with the state by Aug. 15.