Suzette Lowe
As a result of the Jackson County Board of Education’s decision at the May 6 meeting, class size for grades kindergarten-3 will be reduced to no more than 17 students.
Superintendent Blaine Hess and Assistant Superintendent Jay Carnell explained this change was made possible by funding source changes.
“We are able to use Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERF) for this,” said Hess. “This stimulus money will go to good use in adding additional positions and keeping others.”
The premise behind lowering class size according to Hess is “to recapture learning loss.”
“No matter how good our summer school is, we won’t be able to get these kids totally caught up,” he said. “This will offer a more proactive, long-lasting solution.”
Jackson County summer school expansion, board meeting
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JCEA requests change in school Inclement Weather Policy
Suzette Lowe
Reporter
The President of the Jackson County Education Association (JCEA) addressed the Jackson County Board of Education regarding the inclement weather policy.
Board members Steve Chancey, Dan Barnette, Ben Mize, Jim Frazier, with Bobbi Ferrell once again appearing by phone, listened as concerns were expressed at the Feb. 4 meeting.
Adena Barnette said the policy, which affected instruction on Feb. 2, required teachers to report to schools to provide remote instruction. If they were unable to be there, or felt unsafe on the roads, they were required to take a personal leave day.
BOE approves COVID Leave Policy and band uniforms for Ripley High
Suzette Lowe
Reporter
The Jackson County Board of Education meeting began as it has so many times before, hearing concerns of teachers regarding the return to five-day a week in-person classes.
Adena Barnette, president of the Jackson County Education Association, spoke to the board regarding a poll of all county personnel completed last week. Barnette said around 200 employees had responded to the survey.
The questions regarding how comfortable employees are in returning with the current re-entry plan and any fear related to in-person instruction, received a high percentage (61.5 percent) indicating fear, with 73 percent saying they felt uncomfortable.
By Keefer
ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY:
1973 - NBC debuts The Midnight Special rock variety show, its response to ABC s popular In Concert series. The 90-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The Midnight Special was noted for featuring musical acts performing live, which was unusual since most television appearances during the era showed performers lip-synching to prerecorded music. The series also occasionally featured performances of comedians such as Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman, and George Carlin.
1973 - Elvis Presley meets Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas. The two exchange gifts. Presley presented Ali with a custom-designed robe made especially for Ali. The bejeweled white robe had a similar look to the jumpsuits that Presley wore on stage at the time. Ali reciprocated by giving Elvis boxing gloves that he signed: “Elvis, You are the Greatest. From Muhammad Ali. Peace 1973.” Ali later says, I felt sorry for him because he
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