Sylvia McGinnis, News Reporter
Monticello — A new middle school volleyball program will soon be initiated at
Monticello Independent School, following action taken by the board of
education during their regular monthly meeting Monday evening, December 14.
Faculty member Benji Burchett presented board members with a proposal to
start a middle school volleyball program, noting that there has been a big
increase in the number of girls who are interested in the program.
She also pointed out that of that increase in girls who have expressed
an interest in volleyball, many of them were middle school students.
Burchett also expressed the need for a "feeder" team for the volleyball
program. She said that every year they have to start over by teaching the
girls the fundamentals of the game.
According to Burchett, this problem could be solved with the
organization of a middle school volleyball program because those girls would
develop an understanding of the game and the skills needed to compete at the
varsity level.
Burchett stated that the startup cost for the program would include
funding for student meals, transportation, and stipends for the coach and
assistant coach.
Following discussion of the proposal, the board approved starting a
middle school volleyball program.
In other action, the board voted to sign a memorandum of agreement for
the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the next round of stimulus
funding for education, which is being referred to as the Race to the Top
Fund.
The Kentucky Department of Education is asking school districts in
Kentucky to sign a memorandum of understanding.
This basically overviews the elements of Kentucky's Reform Plans, which
are: standards and assessments; data systems to support instruction; great
teachers and leaders; and turning around the lowest-achieving schools (the
bottom five percent).
According to Superin-tendent Donnie Robison, signing the memorandum of
agreement is a step school districts across the state need to take in order
to become eligible to receive money from the next round of stimulus funds.
In other news, the board:
€ accepted the second month ADA growth factor report for the 2009-2010
school year.
€ approved non-resident pupil contracts with the following school
systems: Wayne County, Pulaski County, Science Hill, Clinton County,
Somerset, and McCreary County.
€ approved a clinical/practical education agreement with Eastern
Kentucky University.
€ approved four individuals as emergency substitute teachers and heard a
personnel report.
€ heard a report from Superintendent Donnie Robison. In his report,
Robison noted that the school district has been told to expect a six percent
budget reduction for next year.
€ approved the fourth and fifth grade girls basketball team
participating in the Rocky Hollow League in Somerset.