The Hardeman County school board agreed at its October meeting to pay for one more school nurse, put money toward hard-to-fill special education positions, and brace for higher bus fuel bills. The Hardeman County Board of Education met Oct. 6 and approved a set of budget amendments, district plans and policy updates that affect every school in the system, including the campuses in Middleton, according to a report by the Hatchie Press.
Hardeman County School Board Funds Another Nurse
Hardeman County Schools Director Dr. Christy Smith told the board the district now has nine nurses. She said growing student health needs call for one more position, and the board approved funding for it.
The board also set aside money to deal with a shortage of special education teachers. Smith said the district still has trouble filling those jobs, so it is working with private agencies to find contracted special education teachers.
Diesel Bid Jumps About $1 a Gallon
Fuel is the other pressure point. Smith said the district’s diesel bid went up by about $1 per gallon between September and October. If prices stay that high, she said, the board will likely need to amend the diesel and gasoline budget again before the end of the school year. Diesel powers the district’s school bus fleet, which carries students across a large, mostly rural county.
Other Spending Approved
Other budget items approved at the meeting include:
$25,000 toward a used maintenance truck
$8,520 for new network switches and Wi-Fi access points
Safety and security camera upgrades
Instructional materials, professional development and student intervention resources
The district also reported a $5,000 TVA robotics grant awarded through its STEM Center.
District Plans and Accountability Report
Board members approved the district’s LEA Plan and its TISA Accountability Report. The goals in those documents focus on English language arts and math achievement, ACT scores, graduation rates and cutting chronic absenteeism. The board also approved the annual LEA compliance report and several policy updates.
In her director’s report, Smith pointed to STEM projects, career exploration, agricultural education and other hands-on learning across the district. “The one thing you see are opportunities,” she told the board, adding that giving students those experiences is “what it’s all about.”
What It Means for Middleton Families
Middleton-area students attend Hardeman County Schools, so the added nurse position, special education staffing and fuel budget all reach classrooms and bus routes in the northern end of our coverage area, just across the state line from Walnut. Students are out this week for fall break; see our earlier report on the Hardeman County Schools fall break schedule. Voters can also find details on Hardeman County early voting, which begins Oct. 14.
A recording of the full meeting is available through the district, and board meetings are open to the public.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
