Huntingdon director of schools' contract extended to 2022

Huntingdon Special School District director of schools Pat Dillahunty was granted another year on her contract by school board members at the Jan. 16 meeting.

Her contract will expire on June 30, 2022.

The decision was unanimous with board member Jerry Morris making the motion and board member Paul Stokes providing the second. Her current annual salary is $99,875.

“I appreciate you extending it,” she told board members.

Nine teachers were granted tenure. They include: Lindsey Barnett for high school geometry, Paula Colvett for high school biology, Tracy Connell for high school counselor, Brooke Cooper for primary school pre-K, Clint Ezell for high school P.E/wellness, Heather Price for primary school second grade, Tanya Ricketts for high school health/science, Brandon Sims for middle school P.E., and Julie Sims for high school computer applications and economics.

The tentative school district calendar was passed for the 2020-2021 school year.

The first day of school will be a half-day on Aug. 4. School will be dismissed on Sept. 7 for Labor Day with Sept. 21 as a staff development day with only teachers present. Fall break is set for Oct. 12-16. Thanksgiving dismissal days are Nov. 25, 26 and 27. The first semester of school will end Dec. 18 with a half day. An administrative day will be Jan. 4 with students returning on Jan. 5. On Jan. 18 school will be dismissed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. President’s Day will be observed on Feb. 15. Spring break will be observed from March 29 – April 2. The school year will end May 19 with a half day attendance.

After six days are missed for inclement weather, the following days will be used for makeup day: Feb. 15, March 29, 30, 31 and April 1.

Two board policies were discussed and passed. One concerned a code of conduct and the other one concerned student records.

Concerning the code of conduct, a new state law requires the Dept. of Education to develop guidance on trauma-informed discipline practices. Local boards are then required to adopt discipline policies that align with this guidance.

The Tennessee School Board Association has updated their model policy on student records to include a more comprehensive list of their use that aligns with state law. Additionally, they recommend deletion of a former policy as the new version will cover the use of student records.

In other business, board members set the graduation date as May 17 at 2 p.m. In addition, approval was given for the middle school and high school band students to attend music classes and a concert at UT-Martin on Jan. 23-25.