A dozen or so parents with concerns about Horace Maynard Middle School attended the Union County Board of Education meeting in May. Jessica Waggoner, the spokesperson, said that her fifth grader was terrified at the thought of being a student in the middle school next year.
Waggoner listed vaping, fights in the bathrooms and punishing everyone for the bad behavior of some as issues to be addressed. Another parent echoed these issues and added that bathrooms need adult monitors. One grandmother suggested that the middle school needs a PTO and better communication with parents.
Many thought that the principal was not able to control the situation. Several board members asked why these issues had not been addressed earlier.
Dr. Jimmy Carter, Director of Schools, stated that he had met with the principal and would follow up to see what was needed. He said that the middle school had experienced a shortage of staff. Board members responded that if a shortage of staff existed, the money was available to hire more staff.
Carter answered that he would start his day at the middle school until the problem was resolved and he would communicate to the board and the parents the resolution.
The board approved the FY23 Budget. April BEP revenue estimates were higher than expected so the salary increases for noncertified are assured. The beginning teacher salary will increase to $41,000 and if final amounts increase, teachers should see a $1,000 increase in their pay. Carter also noted that his administration was investigating a way to increase teacher pay for the more experienced teachers since the upper end of the pay scale has remained dormant for some time.
In routine business, all budget amendments and transfers were approved. TSBA recommended policy changes were approved on second reading as well as the procedural policy for the monitoring of federal programs. The board also approved the FY23 Consolidated application for Federal Funds.
The next Union County School Board meeting will be on Thursday, June 9, immediately following the workshop at 6 p.m. in the UCHS Commons. A called school board meeting will occur on June 27 to approve final budget amendments and transfers for the current budget and finances. In August, the Board of Education will meet at Luttrell Elementary School for the regular meeting in an effort to elicit more community involvement.