Highland County School Board December Meeting

Highland FFA president Ethan Botkin and treasurer Suzie Landrum were present at the Highland School Board meeting to report on their recent trip to Louisville, Kentucky for the annual convention. Highlights of the trip included visits to the National Diesel College, the National Corvette Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the National Horse Park, and the trade show at the convention. No trip would be complete without shopping opportunities, so stops at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops were also included on the itinerary.

Melody Moats briefed the board on HCEA activities, which included preparation for the awarding the Fox Scholarship, an endowment created by Mr. And Mrs. Charles Bickley Fox to assist in furthering the education of worthy students. The HCEA is also examining needs in advance of upcoming budget planning, and officer elections will be held this month.

Both the elementary and high school principals reported that testing was currently underway in their respective classrooms,with winter SOL’s in the high school and MAP, or Measures of Academic Progress, testing in both schools. Elementary principal Teresa Blum was pleased to report the Lego League had won first place in their division with their project. She also noted the school Christmas program, would be held Thursday, December 11^th at 7:00 in the high school gym, and invited all to attend.

School superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott reported that both Representative Dickie Bell and Senator Creigh Deeds had visited the school as part of Invite Your Delegate Month. Both delegates were impressed with the school’s virtual lab capabilities, and activities in the school greenhouse.

In action items, the Board approved the 3^rd quarter appropriation request, and voted to increase substitute teacher pay – degreed substitutes will be increased from $60 to $70, and non-degreed will increase from $50 to $60.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12^th.