At the February Union County Board of Education meeting, Sydney Jessee, a parent of two school-aged children, addressed the board during the workshop.
Jessee had received an attendance letter regarding his older child's absences due to flu and a stomach virus. He related that his child had doctor notes for all but one day and he had written a parent note for the stomach virus.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Carter also noted that one day in question was a day when school was closed for flu. The letter notified Jessee that the student’s absences had reached tier 2 and a meeting with a school social worker was necessary and possibly a plan of intervention by DCS if the absences continued.
Jessee stated that he found the language offensive and he felt threatened by the letter. In his opinion, the language would not cause a parent to respond positively, but rather cause parents to disregard the note for fear of losing their children to DCS if they complied.
He said that Carter had explained that a school social worker is a school employee, not connected to DCS. Carter then explained the reason for the attendance policy, the three-tier system required by the state, and the local measures to implement the policy.
Attendance Supervisor Roxanne Patterson explained that the attendance policy has to cover those who abuse the attendance policy, show that the system made an honest effort to intervene, and provide services so instruction is not interrupted.
Jessee replied that the fact that a student is making A grades should be taken into consideration regarding the impact on instruction. Jessee said that he had no problem with the attendance policy, but thought the letter was harsh and requested that another version be formulated.
Carter said that the letter would be reviewed and revised without changing the policy and then both letters would be reviewed by the board. Carter thanked Jessee for bringing his concerns directly to him and the board because misunderstandings can be cleared and the system improved.
Jessee also thanked his school board member, Brad Griffey, for his help although Griffey of second district and Gibbs of first district were absent.
Finance Director Ann Dyer reported that expenditures were within normal parameters for the current year. The board approved Budget Amendments and Transfers that included changes due to the grants and other routine changes in the General Purpose fund.
Money was moved into Capital Projects to accommodate the grant match for the sewer system upgrade at Sharps Chapel Elementary School. The SCES project will begin immediately but the bulk of the work will occur during spring break and then finish in the summer if needed.
The parking lot will have paving done during summer break, according to Carter in response to a question by Collins.
School trips by band, FFA, and wrestling were approved. Carter noted that a band member is participating in the regional band competition.
Carter distributed school audits and noted that there were no major findings. Carter complimented school bookkeepers on good job.
The board again postponed policy 6.300 Code of Conduct to allow board members and school personnel to attend a conference later this month to gather more information and make sure that all of the requirements could be met before the board approved the policy.
The board discussed an increase in the cost of use of school buildings, especially UCHS, from $125 to $200. Apparently, the amount paid no longer covers the amount needed to pay custodians and other employees to be at events. Board member Reed suggested that Dr. Carter look at a sliding scale for costs. Carter offered to bring a proposal to the next meeting
The board adjourned until its next meeting on Thursday, March 12, with the workshop to begin at 6 p.m. and the meeting to follow.