Chester County School Board Calls Meeting

02-01-2013 LEXINGTON, TN - The Chester Co. Board of Education met Thursday night. This special called meeting was to discuss safety options for all schools and to consider plans for facility improvements.

Plans will include six new basketball/tennis courts, the installation of a ten foot fence, and broadening the band practice field from sixty to eighty feet. A walk-way will be placed in the center of these courts leading to a pavilion with public restrooms. A roofed area for viewing games and public gatherings as well as a walking tract will be available. The tract will have all night lighting but the tennis courts will be timed to go off promptly at ten p.m.

The total cost for these additions are projected to be $187,000. The motion to start bids was made and carried.

Construction is to begin May 1, 2013 and resume by mid August of this year.

Concern for the East Chester facility was introduced by Sherry Pipkin. She states that some rooms are dark and damp and not good for the health of the students. She asked that a new tee addition be added on the east side and says that no added property would need to be purchased. The Board agreed to start the bids immediately.

Mrs. Pipkin along with four other board members attended a safety summit in Franklin, TN. They heard from safety coordinators from NY, psychologists from Phoenix,AZ who worked with Columbine School Systems. They learned that securing all front entrances with cameras and buzzer systems is the best way. Training all faculty members including all personnel is second most important. This system will be installed so that the person at the front desk would be able to operate the door from the convenience of her desk. This project is also in agreement with the Board and bids will start soon.

At the conclusion of the official business, the floor is open to the public. The topic of bullying is discussed in great length. Parents verbalized concerns that bullying is still taking place and nothing seems to be done about it. They were then directed to talk with their children's teachers, principal, and the superintendent then the Board until problem is resolved.

The question of school policy came up when a parent stated that he hasn't been notified of problems with his child from the faculty like the manual states.

Members of the Board replied every student is important and that they desire all students to succeed. They have been and will continue to do their best to ensure that all students get a good education in the safest environment and that their goal is to see each one succeed.

A copy of the Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying is provided to all parents requesting it.