Shelby County Board of Education Building
During the May 28 Shelby County Board of Education meeting, Dr. Lynn Carroll, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, spoke on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks and said the schools are beginning their next phase of returning to work.
“We are excited about more and more people coming on school campuses,” Carroll said. “This schedule will be for June 1 through July 3, and we are going to take it one step at a time.”
Addressing the plans for the fall, Carroll said that they will open school and they would be prepared.
“I can’t tell you what it looks like now, but we have district leaders working on plans,” she said. “State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey will put out a roadmap in mid-June in regard to opening schools. We are planning for school to open in August.”
Dr. Carroll gave praise to career tech students. During the school year from August until COVID-19 halted classes on March 13, 272 students that participated in work-based learning in CTEC classes and together they earned a total of $901,324.18.
“I am excited for this program and for our students to get into the community and thankful for the business partners that work with them and employ our students,” she said.
Graduation for Shelby County High Schools will take place next week, June 1 and 2.
“I want to give a shout out to the high school principals,” Carroll said. “They have been bending over backwards to make this happen for the students to have an opportunity to have a ceremony.”
Shelby County Schools will not have summer day camps, and the after school care plans for the fall will be determined.
Dr. Leah Anne Wood, Coordinator of Strategic Planning & Leadership Development said during her instruction report that surveys were sent out to some teachers and parents about their e-learning experience.
She has received 2,148 parent responses and 668 teacher responses giving their input on how eLearning went and what could be done to make it better.
“There were some overarching answers...an appreciation for providing students with Chromebooks and WiFi hotspots," she said. "Parents really liked the flexibility for their kids to work at their own pace. Elementary students loved the Google meetings with their teachers."
Many parents said it was really hard for them, especially those who were essential workers. Some suggested that assignments be given on Friday so parents that work could help over the weekend.
Wood said the tech coaches are working on a video to walk parents how to use Google classroom, the Clever app and more.
During the architect and construction report, Randy Reeves, Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator, gave an update on the four major construction projects that were underway when COVID-19 broke out.
Multipurpose building at Chelsea High School is 98% complete. The contractor has completed their obligation, but the county is responsible for finishing the building. There was a delay in electrical service, but the power is set to be turned on Monday.
Chelsea Middle School’s access ramp at the rear of the main building is 95% complete and will be done prior to the beginning of school.
Chelsea Middle School’s replacement of the field house lost to a fire is 80% complete.
The multipurpose building at Vincent Middle/High is approximately 50% complete. The project was delayed due to rain, but is back on track for completion.
Items approved by the school board during the meeting include:
- Renewal for additional year for using Kelly Services for substitute staffing
- Approval for a CTEC training module to get students certified in CPT+ system
- Approval for a surgical table for the health science program at Chelsea High School
- Approval for portable classroom lease with Metro Trailer
- Approval of Mary Anderson to become principal at Helena Elementary School
- Approval for Jan Curtis to become assistant principal Oak Mountain Elementary
- Approval for transfer of tenure for Kara Burleson to move from Helena Elementary to Helena Intermediate School.
The next SCBOE meeting will be held June 9.
