Huntingdon School Board has two new board members

Two new Huntingdon Special School District board members were welcomed during the Aug. 20 board meeting that was moved from its usual Central Office site to the middle school cafetorium to allow social distancing.

Morgan Butler and Shawna Smith took the oath of office from director of schools Pat Dillahunty.

Board chairman Lee Carter congratulated Butler and Smith on their recent election wins.

“This has been an intriguing time,” he said. “I am thankful to be here or anywhere. Thanks to Ms. Pat and all administration and teachers for the great job they have done.”

Carter is out of quarantine after having tested positive for COVID 19.

School board members revised the school calendar due to the delay in the school startup date that was supposed to have been Aug. 4. The beginning date was pushed to Aug. 17 due to the COVID 19.

In the plan the board chose, Dillahunty explained that eight of the 13 stockpile days would be used for the late start. In addition, students will be attending school on Sept. 21 and will return for a full day on Jan. 4 after Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

“There are still five stockpile days left if we need them during the year for inclement weather,” she said.

The director of schools reported the school district had an enrollment 1,271 as of Aug. 20. Of the students, 1,096 are attending in person and 185 are attending by virtual means. 

 The consent agenda was passed. It included several items. The SAVE Act Compliance packet was approved. The employment of Rachel Johns as the high school Biology teacher and Sheri Singleton as a primary school educational assistant were acknowledged. The resignations of Paula Colvett as the high school Biology teacher and Tina Shands as an educational assistant at the primary school were noted.

School board members Jerry Morris and Paul Stokes, who chose not to seek reelection, were recognized for their years of service. Dillahunty, who presented them with Mustang horse replicas, thanked the two retiring board members for their many years of service. Morris has served for 37 years and has been on the board since 1983. Stokes has served for 12 years and been on the board since 2008.

“We say thank you for your service,” said the board chairman to Morris and Stokes. “I imagine there are very few across the state who have served any longer than 37 years.

Morris said he was grateful to the people who had always voted for him. He thanked his wife Gwen, who was present, who he said had always helped him get elected.

“She would go to one precinct and I would go to another one,” he said.

He also offered thanks to the school administration, school board members and teachers over the years who have worked to make the school system one of the best.

During the meeting Carroll County Coordinated School Health director Mandy Drewry reported on some of the programs that the Huntingdon students participated in during the past school year. 

Coordinated Health director Mandy Drewry gave a report on the programs that were provided during the year.

She does various school screenings. The students are involved in a Walk to School Day in which 342 primary school students participated. A $50 prize was given in the Walk Across Tennessee contest. There was a nutrition and exercise class for fourth graders. Jessica Trevathan won fourth place in the Faculty Fitness contest. Fruit tasting was another event. A Teen Summit was held with Eric Johnson doing the speaking concerning bullying. Drewry said her new assistant is Anna Mitchell. This year $2,145.40 was spent on the programs in Huntingdon schools, according to Drewry.

The next meeting will be Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

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