By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.— Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Henry County Schools board of education conducted a virtual meeting for the first time ever Thursday afternoon and Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins pledged that the district is ‘very committed’ to a graduation plan for HCHS seniors. “It will probably be later than normal—we don’t have an official date yet because we don’t know yet what the Governor will be doing—but at some point this year our seniors are going to walk.”
The high school seniors “will be celebrated. We plan to recognize them and it will be in traditional and non-traditional ways,” she said. “We will not let this milestone go by. These kids have earned this.”
Dr. Watkins also recognized teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other staff members “who have really stepped up” during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. “Our teachers have worked hard to maintain relationships with the students and our feeding program is just phenomenal. The numbers themselves speak volumes. We have 17 bus routes, 14 regular cafeteria ladies working every day feeding over 1,000 students twice a week and each time we’re delivering over 6000 meals. Coaches and high school folks have been helping with good, solid labor and the bagging and prepping of all the food takes a lot of time.”
The bus routes themselves take about two hours each time, with meals delivered Mondays and Thursdays, with enough delivered to last several days.
Dr. Watkins also announced that Steve Summers has been named HCHS Assistant Principal and she again recognized Amber Ryan, who earlier was announced as the new Lakewood Elementary Principal to replace Amy Veazey, who is retiring.
The school board approved a staff daycare for the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Susan Burton said it will be called Patriot Play School and will be located in the Grove complex, which she said is centrally located to all schools in the district and required minimal modifications. She said the Henry County Health Department already inspected and approved the space.
She said 22 children will be needing the day care services and a director will be hired shortly. Hours of operation will be from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at $15 a day for one child, with $10 for siblings. It will be open to children of teachers and staff members and will operate any day teachers are required to be at school.
“This will give an opportunity for our employees at a substantial savings to them and we’re really happy to offer this service to our employees,” she said.
Board President Jill Coker said, “It sounds like a wonderful thing we can provide our staff.”
Condolences were expressed to Board Members Josh Frey and Rod Frey on the passing of their grandmother and mother, Sue Frey.
Photo: Dr. Leah Watkins presents her report during Thursday’s virtual meeting. (Shannon McFarlin photo).