All systems are “go” and it’s “full steam ahead” for the Pike County School System.
At the Pike County Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Pike County Superintendent of Education Dr. Mark Bazzell expressed his excitement about the system’s flight academy that will get off the ground in the fall and offer dual enrollment to five students whose interest is in aviation.
Bazzell said it is his hope for the new academy to grow to the extent that it is graduating 10 students each year.
The academy will lay the foundation for its students to “write their tickets” in the aviation industry, Bazzell said.
Also on the front burner for the Pike County School System is its Virtual High School.
The Virtual High School is “well on its way,” Bazzell said. The VHS will offer credit recovery for students who have fallen behind and advanced classes for students who want to jump ahead. The classes will be taught over the Internet.
Bazzell said there is a possible opportunity for the VHS and Global Studies classes to be housed at the Extended Learning Center on South Brundidge Street in Troy.
Bazzell told the board the final inspection of the athletic complex at Pike County High School is scheduled for the first week in June.
“We will plan no new capital projects for next year but will take that time to do projects that deal with issues at each school,” he said.
Board member Wyman Botts said he attended honors and graduation ceremonies at the county schools and was impressed by what he observed.
“If I had school-aged children, I would be glad and happy for them to attend Pike County schools,” he said.
Willie Wright, Pike County High School principal, addressed the board and reported on the status of the Brundidge city recreation program, which is now being administered by the Pike County School System.
“A concern that the City of Brundidge had was with participation in the programs that were offered,” Wright said. “But participation has been good. We had 100 kids participate in summer ball. We had a Miracle League team and we were proud to offer that to our kids.”
Wright said participation was also good in the football program and especially in the basketball program.
In football, the city’s nine- and 10-year-old team won the Super Bowl and the nine-and 10-year-old team went to the state basketball tournament.
“We’ve been able to create programs with a family atmosphere,” Wright said. “The recreation programs are positive and beneficial.”
In personnel action, the board,
• Approved the end of year personnel recommendations.
• Accepted the retirement resignation of Lisa Golden, effective June 1, 2014.
• Accepted the resignation of Kathy Schofield, GHS, effective June 1, 2014.
• Approved the extension of employment contracts for the high school counselors, Sharon Sullivan and Lena Lindsey by 20 days.
• Approved the extension of employment contract for Jeff McClure to assist with Virtual High School preparations by 20 days.
• Approved permission to transfer Florence Tucker from CNP worker at GHS to CNP worker at GES.
• Approved permission to transfer Lucille Taylor from CNP worker GES worker to CNP worker at GHS.
In other actions, the board,
• Rejected all bids for the Goshen softball field for non-conforming.
• Approved one-year extensions on contracts for the 2014-2015 school year for Pullom Lawn Service, ground maintenance; Advance Disposal, garbage collection; Eagle Cleaning Service, janitorial service; and Russell Petroleum, gasoline and diesel fuel; and the Thompson Gas propane bid.
• Approved permission to award the bid for Pest Control for CNP to Meeks Termite and Pest Control for the 2014-2015 school year.
* Approved permission for CNP to provide breakfast and lunch as part of a summer feeding program for Pike County Elementary School.
• Approved the permission request for CNP to provide lunch as part of the summer feeding program at GHS.
• Approved permission for the enrichment summer school program at PCES, in partnership with the City of Brundidge.
• Approved permission to award milk bid for 2014-2015 to the lowest bidder. Contract to begin June 1, 2014.
• Approved staffing for the Pike County Elementary School, Goshen High School and Pike County High School summer schools.
• Approved permission to create two new positions, GES for the 2014-2015 school year, Pre-K Lead Teacher and Pre-K Auxiliary Teacher funded by a new Pre-K grant.
• Approved permission to add an additional aide position, at GES for the 2014-2015 school year.
• Approved permission to advertise for a school psychometrist position.
• Approved permission to advertise for a Virtual High School teacher position.
• Approved summer work schedule.
• Approve permission for the Troy-Pike Center for Technology to dispose of and/or sell old equipment that is no longer operational and cannot be used.
• Approved permission for Keith Hocutt to attend the Ambassador training July 13-18, 2014 in Chesterton, Maryland. Expenses are paid by DuPont.
• Approved permission for Keith Hocutt and 10 GHS FFA students to attend and compete in the State FFA convention and competition June 3-6 in Auburn and Montgomery.
• Approved permission for Julie Simmons to attend CLAS Convention June 22-24 in Montgomery and the AETC Convention June 3-5 in Birmingham.
• Approved permission for Julie Simmons, Rachel Brooks and Gilda Belcher to attend that SREB Tech Centers That Work Summer Conference July 15-18 in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Approved permission for Julie Simmons, Rachel Brooks and all other CTE teachers to attend the CTE Summer Conference July 29-31 in Birmingham.
• Approved permission for Wanda Corley to attend the National Association of Elementary School Principals annual conference July 10-12 in Nashville.
• Approved permission for Lee Scott to attend the National Association of Elementary School Principals annual conference July 10-12 in Nashville.
• Approved permission for Lee Scott to attend the CLAS conference June 23-25 in Montgomery.
• Approved permission for Dr. Donnella Carter to attend the Gulf Coast Conference on the Teaching of Writing, June 30-July 3 in Destin, Florida.
• Approved permission for Sharon Denison to attend the National Academy Foundation’s Annual Institute for Staff Development July 9-13 in Washington D.C.
• Approved permission for SFC Arron Young to attend the JROTC Brigade Summer Training Program June 23-27 in Philadelphia, Mississippi.