The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

WC Adds Swimming To Sports Program

The West Central Board of Education approved the addition of high school boys' and girls' swimming as an extra-curricular sport at the November 17th meeting. This program will be financially supported by the parents of those students who participate.

The meeting was called to order at 7:41 p.m. by Board President Lonnie Brent, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

All board members except Mr. Lenahan were present at roll call.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• 140+ students were honored at the PRIDE Assembly, and later they participated in the Ice Cream Social during 7th hour.
• WC students performed extremely well at the LTC Choral Festival, and we have received many compliments from parents and community members for the work the students and Ms. Cory put in to make it a successful event.
• The Student Council Blood Drive was a very successful event supervised by Mrs. Singleton and the Student Council students.
• The heat in the greenhouse is now working. This will allow Mr. Gittings and Mrs. Alexander to continue to produce items and conduct lab experiments.
• Mr. Gittings and 15 FFA students attended the FFA National Convention in Louisville Kentucky. Kami Endress expressed their gratitude and presented to the board on their experiences at the convention.
• As part of Veterans Day, WCHS had a veteran read the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, and they ate lunch with the students on Friday. WCMS also held a smoothly run and a wonderful tribute to veterans with the Veterans Day Program on November 10, 2015.
• At a recent WCMS speech contest 17 students participated in 32 competitions and all received a 1st rating.
• The 1st Annual WCMS 5K Glow Run/Walk was very successful. Eighty-five percent of the staff participated in some fashion. They raised a total of $883 toward the PBIS program.
• WCES hosted a well-attended Pre-K Family Night as well as Donuts for Dads. These opportunities were used to do some parent education activities.
• At the recent FFA Section 4 Agronomy Contest in Aledo, both teams received 3rd team overall. Jenson Bowman received a 5th individual; Alec Vancil received an 8th individual; and Abby Steck and Jamilla Calderon tied for 10th individual.

The resignation of Kris Judd as a 1:1 associate and the resignation of Prentice McMahill as a bus driver were approved as additions to the agenda. In addition,  Update on Proposed Design and Bidding of Life/Safety Boiler Work at WC was approved as an addition under Discussion Items.

The board approved the Consent Agenda. Items approved under the Consent Agenda included the following:

• The minutes of the October 21, 2015, Regular Meeting and Closed Session
• The October 2015 bills, October 2015 building Activity Account Reports, the October 2015 Treasurer s Report, and review of the District Financial Report.
• In other business the board:
• approved offering an ACT Prep class in Spring 2015. The cost to each student will be $50. Students who attend ALL classes will be reimbursed that $50.
• approved a Life/Safety Amendment for needed work to the WCMS boiler.
• approved the Tentative FY15 Tax Levy. This year's tentative tax levy calls for an extension amount of $4,889,413 which is an increase over the 2014 levy extension amount of 4.97%. The Tentative FY15 Tax Levy is now on display in the District Office. The board will vote to approve the Final 2015 Tax Levy at the December 16, 2015, Board meeting.
• approved a request to declare the old WCMS flag pole, the wooden fence around the greenhouse at WCHS, old televisions, and unused WCMS cheerleading uniforms as surplus. The flag pole and televisions will be disposed. The unused WCMS cheerleading uniforms will be sold at basketball games, and the wooden fence around the greenhouse at WCHS will be opened for bids.
• approved an agreement allowing Paula Markey use of the former district office on an as needed basis.
• Superintendent Markey showed the board a picture of what the Zack Bundy Memorial bench will look like.
• reviewed and heard reports from the building principals and from Ben Rees, our Athletic Director. They reviewed a Technology Report from Mrs. Frakes and a report from our District Psychologist and Special Education Director, Nancy Smith.

The board entered closed session at 8:55 p.m. to discuss matters related to personnel and contract. The board exited closed session at 9:13 p.m.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the resignation of Kris Judd as a 1:1 Associate effective December 31, 2015,
• accepted the resignation of Prentice McMahill as a bus driver effective November 30, 2015,
• employed Sarah Strickler as a Pre-K Associate pending all pre-employment requirements,
• employed Amanda Liggett as a 1:1 A ssociate effective January 4, 2016 pending all pre-employment requirements,
• employed Scott Swiler as the WCHS Head Girls' Softball Coach pending all pre-employment requirements,
• employed Victoria Tapscott as the WCHS Assistant Girls' Softball Coach pending all pre-employment requirements.
• approved a reduced stipend from the contract in the amount of $1,000 for Steve Lumbeck as the WCMS Head Football Coach.

The board was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria and scheduled a Special Board meeting for Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to student discipline.

There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 9:22 p.m. m.