WCSB Meeting

As the Walton School Board meeting started, Superintendent Anderson announced that Erin Walker is a silver medalist in the National Junior Olympics with a discus throw of 127.8 feet. She attends Paxton School.

The Board heard from Barbara Hunt, a former Walton bus driver who says her contract was not renewed after she brought safety complaints to her boss and the Superintendent. She detailed what she says was problems with smoking at the fuel pumps and students not following rules such as going to school after getting off the bus. She told the Board she told Mack Work, her boss and eventually went to Superintendent Anderson. Hunt feels her not being re-hired was a retaliatory action.

It is the start of the new school year and that means the School Board approving contracts with various government and private entities. Contracts with PAEC, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers and for the new Dashboard computer program.

The arbitrage rebate calculations report, something required by the feds, was approved. The PAEC Master Inservice Plan was approved as was test and balance services for Walton High School and the assessment team members to administer K-12 DIBLES and FORF at all schools.

Under Sonny Nolin’s time, a large list of personnel recommendations were approved. Supplements were talked about with Susan Meyer needing a 5^th supplement for cheerleading being split between football and basketball. Policy has been 4 supplements. Staff and the Superintendent said they do not have anyone to fill the positions. Board member Mildred Wilkerson said they are changing policy when they give a 5^th supplement. Board member Sharon Roberts said a 5^th supplement will mean Meyer is getting 32% of her salary in supplements. The 5^th supplement was approved 3-2 with Wilkerson and Roberts the nay votes. The board also approved advertising for a part-time speech-language therapist to meet new state mandate to administer Batelle Development to all students. The Board approved the agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield with a 15% increase in costs, but a new plan that could save some employees money. The approval came with several reluctant yes votes by the Board.

Superintendent Anderson said it is her desire to bring back voluntary Pre-K. They have the room at the new Mossy Head School, but she also wants one at West DeFuniak, but there is no room. Anderson said, until the first day of school, they will not know exactly how many students they have in each school. The class size reduction amendment was the main cause of the district having to discontinue the voluntary Pre-K. One reason the district wants VPK is to help with the ESE students who are currently isolated. The Board recommended the VPK, but starting it later, possibly half way through the year, when space might be available.