Prescott School Board meets

PRESCOTT – Prescott School Board met in the Junior High School Conference Room May 27th. After the prayer there was a data presentation by Lisa Madden about Special Ed and Therapy. The current Special Ed enrollment is 127 as opposed to the usual of 110-115. 68 of these students are in Elementary, 38 in Junior High and 21 in High School. The lower numbers were accounted by students being introduced to grade level material during the time of COVID. The state had not been compliant with Federal Law previously. 52 students are currently in speech therapy (45 is the number allowed for one teacher) 24 in occupational with 5 transitioning in. The self-contained classroom has 13. These students spend 80% of their time in the Special Education classroom.

With the caseload expected to be higher next year (1 resource teacher for 31 students while 1 to 25 is the guidelines) the issue was raised about hiring another teacher. The number of 504 students was also asked about. The numbers were expected to be lower than Special Ed numbers but were not specified. 504 students are accommodated in the classroom rather than being removed as opposed to special ed students who are removed.

The next item was the Licensed Personnel Policy Committee presentation by Brandy Frohnappel and Kelsey Dendy. They talked about the reviewing policies and supplementing salaries. The presentation simply acknowledged the role of the LPPC and was informational for the Board. No action was taken. A Board member said she was glad to see them and also acknowledged the role of the Personnel Policy Committee that will also meet next week.

The transfer of one student out of the district was approved.

The school choice list was reviewed. It had already been passed by the Board. 10 transferred in with 6 already in the district but needing choice and 4 transferring out.

Assurances and GEPA statement under ESSA and IDEA were accepted.

Therapy Services and Medicaid Billing were discussed. A recommendation to award the bid to Liles Therapy passed, as did Physical Therapy to Tina Griffin, Speech to Liles Therapy as well. The district has been doing their own Medicaid Billing. Due to a lack of staff and very limited funds received last year a motion passed to give the Medicaid billing to Liles Therapy which will monitor the therapies received.

The Food Services Management Company selected was Aramark.

The 4-day week was approved.

Ways the District had saved money such as salary by not having a Junior High principal for part of the year and combined libraries were briefly mentioned. With a resource teacher retiring the need of a new one was mentioned.

School Superintendent Robert Poole was removed from TCM Credit Card accounts and Angie Bryant, and one other person were added. Poole is leaving the district.

The Board went into Executive Session and afterwards a list of resignations and hires were accepted by the Board.

Resignations included Devion Williams, Mike Godwin, Billy Rook, Molly Ray, Jordan Shanks, Chuck Lowery and Mariela Garcia. Vice President Board member Joe Prescott Glass also resigned.

Mariela Garcia was hired as Curriculum Coordinator and Federal programs as well as school and academic improvement.

Colby Tillman was hired as Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director. Jamie Clayton Brown was hired as Maintenance Supervisor and Jamia Colbert as Special Education Teacher. Jeffrey Burton employment date as Junior High Principal was moved up with the new start date in June.

The proposed index salary schedule for academic year 2025-26 was approved

All photos by Eric Mclaurin