5-4-10 —     The Wayne County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday,

April 19 and approved staffing formulas for the site-based councils in the

district.

    Superintendent John Dalton noted that these are the same formulas from

last year, but added that the district may have to take action on these

again, after the state legislature holds its special session and adopts a

budget.

    "The legislature has adjourned without a budget and that puts us, as

well as other state agencies, in a bind," Dalton told board members. "We

have made the best decision we can with the information we have now."

    Another thing that could change after the special session is the number

of days in the school calendar next year. With that in mind, the board

approved two versions of the school calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.

    One of the proposed calendars is a traditional 187 day calendar, while

the other includes only 185 days, which has been proposed by the state

legislature, but has not been approved.

    Both calendars have the same start date for students, which is August

11. They both include traditional fall and spring breaks and has the final

day of classes set for May 20.

    The only difference in the calendars regards two days during Christmas

break. In the 187 calendar, Christmas break is two days shorter than the

traditional two week break. Under the shorter calendar, Christmas break

would be a full two weeks.

    Also during the meeting, the board approved the amended calender for the

current school year. The final day for classes will be June 3. Closing day

for teachers is June 4.

    The board met at Wayne County Middle School and learned more about the

new technology that is being used in the classroom. Board members

participated in a lesson presented one of the new Smartboards at the school.

    The board also recognized the achievement of several middle school

students who were selected as Duke University Academic Talent Search

participants.

    They included Leanne Gregory, who made the nationals. This marked only

the fourth time in 20 years that Wayne County has had a student make the

nationals of the Duke Talent Search.

    In other action, the board:

    € Approved the auditor's contract with Barry Daulton, CPA.

    € Approved the agreement with K-9 Resource for substance awareness and

deterrent services for the 2010-2011 school year.

    € Declared several vehicles and two mobile classrooms as surplus

property.

    € Authorized Wayne County Youth Softball to use the softball field for

summer activities.

    € Approved a trip for Wayne County Middle School Gifted and Talented

students to Washington, D.C. on fall break.

    € Granted permission to Wayne County Junior Miss to use the Pickrell

Auditorium on May 14-15.