The Greene County Board of Education, at its monthly meeting held Monday, October,17, 2016, approved a recommendation by Superintendent James Carter to develop a system policy directing that Black History is infused across the curriculum. The instructional item approved authorized the superintendent to “implement a discipline base Black History Course that will be taught across the curriculum and across all content areas.”
It was noted that Black History begins before Africans were forced to the Americas and enslaved.
Dr. Carter explained that the Black History contents will correspond to the specific courses taught. “All African Americans are part of the American dream and reality and have a right to know the difference between historical facts, myths, factual and real information,” he said. Carter stated that the Black History infusion will also incorporate a multicultural and multiethnic learning process.
The Black History infusion across curriculum is intended to be initiated in the Spring semester.
The board also approved formulation of system policies allowing students to be disciplined who create safety issues at school sponsored activities as well as off school campus. Superintendent Carter will work with the system’s policy committee regarding development of all new policies.
On the recommendation of Superintendent Carter, the board approved registering with the State Board of Education as a Public Charter School Authorizer. This will position the Greene County Board to have some input regarding any group seeking to start a charter school in this county.
The following instructional items were also approved:
* Develop plans and organize the Learning Academy at Peter J. Kirksey to become a virtual school for the Greene County School District.
* Provide students with instruction on how to conduct themselves when stopped by a police officer.
* Give surplus textbooks to students to help with reading comprehension.
* Provide books to parents who are pregnant as an effort to promote reading to unborn babies. This program will be called the Unborn Initiative.
* Organize a peer mentoring program for grades 6 – 12.
In other business the board approved the following Personnel Items:
* Retirement of Ms. Brenda Grant, Elementary Teacher at Robert Brown Middle School, effective November 30, 2016.
* Employment of Ms. Jacqueline Edwards as Part-time Custodian at Robert Brown Middle School; Ms. Tiffany Linebarger from Long-term Sub to a regular teacher at Robert Brown Middle School.
Adding the following to the current Bus Driver Substitute List 2016-2017: Eddie Coats and Wenonah Peebles.
The board also approved the following:
* Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Greene County Park & Recreation for use of Carver Middle School’s gymnasium during current Basketball Season.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
*Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mr. Leon Dowe, CSFO.
In his report to the board, Superintendent Carter presented the following initiatives:
* Organize a system-wide Friends and Classmates Day.
* Teach the 2016 Election Process and the importance of voting.
* Get to Know Your Students Day for teachers and school personnel.
* Enhance career and technical education programs designed to coincide with technical schools and the workplace.
* Graduate 75% to 80% of students who will be college or career ready.
* Identify middle school students who are ready to advance to a more challenging curriculum.
* Enhance the STEM program to include Welding (seeking to hire a welding instructor).
* Pre AP Courses will be offered to Middle School students.
* Provide cameras for all classrooms for safety and accountability.
* November 11 is Veterans Day – A salute to all Veterans on this National Holiday. School is out.