Melodie Phelps, News Editor
Monticello — Wayne County Schools will purchase an additional two acres of property adjoining the campus, after action that was taken during a board meeting held on Thursday, December 17.
Superintendent John Dalton recommended the board approve the purchase of the property, which was priced at $18,000 per acre.
That is the same price the board paid for another piece of property in that area several years ago.
Dalton noted that the district has funds in a restricted construction account from a previous project that will pay for the purchase.
The board meeting was hosted by Wayne County High School and board members heard updates regarding some of the strategies being put into place this year and next year to help improve test scores and achievement at the school.
One of the big changes that will occur next year is the move to modified block scheduling at the school.
Students will have some traditional year-round classes, but the schedule will also include block scheduled classes that are a semester in length.
The high school will also initiate freshman academy, which has been successful at several other schools.
Freshmen will attend classes in a specific area of the building. They will have five traditional length classes year-round and one block class, which will last one semester.
In other action during the meeting, the board approved a memorandum of understanding to join other school districts in the state that are applying for Federal Race to the Top funding.
The board also:
€ Approved the Family Resource and Youth Services Centers' school district assurance certificate for 2011-2012.
€ Agreed to change the February school board meeting to February 11 because of President's Day.
€ Met in executive session to discuss pending litigation.
After returning to open session, the board authorized their attorney to take any action necessary to add additional parties to the pending lawsuit.