Fannin County Middle School (FCMS) Principal Mark Young updated the Fannin County Board of Education on the school’s happenings during the board’s Thursday, March 10, meeting.
Speaking to the generosity of the community after the death of student Skylar Gazaway’s parents, Corporal Richard Gazaway and Heather, Young told of how the student’s grandparents informed him that the child recently had a donor pay for her braces on top of “an outpouring of finances and prayers.”
Young also explained that classes are back to normal following COVID-19 cautions and closures.
He told of the school’s nature trail. Partnering with the local Trout Unlimited chapter, students have been conducting studies on the water quality of the two creeks that run through and are looking at ways to improve the quality.
On top of that, students have been cleaning up the trail itself.
A HOSA Future Health Professionals club is in the near future of FCMS, Young told the board, and they are also looking at ways to strengthen the Technology Students Association.
In addition, Young recognized the middle school band for their recent All Superiors rating.
Board members agreed to provide breakfast and lunch for the county-wide Summer Food Service Program. An agreement between the board and Fannin County government was agreed on, which outlines that the school system will provide buses to deliver the meals beginning June 6 and ending July 22, while the county must provide the own insurance and drivers
Deputy Superintendent of Administration & Governance Sarah Rigdon updated the board on the schools’ Student Governance Teams.
She and Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney reminded everyone that the meetings are open to the public, and the meetings are focused on the individual school. New appointments to the teams will be made in May or June.
In giving the District Health Update, Director of Learning & Achievement Lucas Roof said that things are looking “optimistic” regarding the low numbers of reported COVID-19 cases within the school system.
He added that for the first time since April 2020, the Georgia Department of Education did not send a report to fill out and return on the district’s COVID-19 cases.
“I don’t think that was an accident,” Roof said.
The financial report was also approved, which shows that the budget is 58.33% complete for the fiscal year. The SPLOST update showed 13.1% growth from last year.
Following the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent of Facilities & Operations Darren Danner, the April school board meeting will be held a week later on account of school being closed for spring break. The meeting will instead be held April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at the high school.
The board also agreed to allow Fannin County’s Mountain Education Charter High School to borrow a bus for a field trip.
After nearly an hour-and-a-half in executive session on personnel, real estate and student admission, no actions were taken.