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West Carroll School Board Approves Bids, Introduces New Hires

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The West Carroll Special School District Board of Education met Thursday, July 1, at 6 p.m. in the West Carroll Junior/Senior High School Cafeterium.

The board approved the amended and consent agendas, accepting resignation letters from Katelyn Cherry, Amanda Climer, Becky Coleman, Janet Esch and Wendy Williams.

Director of Schools Preston Caldwell recognized and congratulated Glenda Wilson-Crossnoe on her retirement after over 20 years of teaching.

Preston Caldwell then announced the 2021 Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame Honorees, Jack Barrow and Alyssa Butler.

Next on the board’s agenda was an explanation of ESSER, the Elementary, Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. ESSER 1.0 a was introduced in March 2020 with the CARE Act in response to COVID-19. ESSER 3.0 is part of the American Rescue Plan and offers $22 million to the West Carroll School District, 20% of which has to be spent to address loss of learning.

The school board discussed bids for marquee signs and non-porous lockers, paid by ESSER 3.0 funds. Plans regarding ESSER 3.0 have to be approved by the end of August.

Patrick Lindsey introduced marquee sign bids to the board. David Hilliard made a motion to approve the bid from GSC Signs and Awnings in McKenzie and Jeremy Jackson seconded the motion, followed by a unanimous vote from the board.

Director Caldwell announced the opening of non-porous locker bids. The lockers in the boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball locker rooms will be replaced using ESSER 3.0 funds. The board voted in favor of using Longhorn lockers, the same style of lockers used in the football locker room.

The board approved adding an early childhood 3-5 year-old position at West Carroll Primary School. The position had previously been approved in December 2019.

Director Caldwell introduced an assistant principal position and an additional classroom teacher position to be funded by ESSER 3.0’s loss of learning clause. The two positions are grant-based, and funding may deplete in 2024 if there is no ESSER 4.0. David Hilliard made a motion to approve the new positions, and Jeremy Jackson seconded. The board voted unanimously in approval of the positions.

Janet Winchester announced a food service budget amendment, and the board approved the motion.

Director Caldwell introduced two new hires during the July school board meeting. Clayton Morris, the five-year defensive coordinator from Murray High School, will be West Carroll’s new high school head football coach. Jessica Williams, a former Teacher of the Year at Gibson County Elementary School, will be principal at the West Carroll Primary School.

Joe Tetleton, West Carroll Junior/Senior High School principal, announced most positions are filled and teachers are preparing for student registration. Registration begins this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Primary school principal Jackie Wester announced three new hires and positions at the primary school. She also spoke about summer school, which lasted from May 26 through June 17. She reported all students’ scores improved from their pretest to their post-test, and she thanked the teachers for working so hard with their students.