Are SROs needed in schools?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:24 am By TONY STINNETT/ Courier Sports Editor
School safety is at the top priority for educators and a primary concern for parents of children in those schools, particularly in the wake of the recent Sandy Hook shooting.
Cannon County High School is currently the only school in the system that utilizes an SRO but he is only budgeted for 10 hours per week. Board member Chris Blackburn said school safety is a top priority and measures need to be taken to make schools even safer when possible. "It is no secret how strapped we are for money in Cannon County," Blackburn said. "I also think it is no secret that if you ask a parent who has a child in school what that life is worth they would tell you there is no dollar value on that life. The law enforcement agencies and the county commissioners, along with the school system, need to come to an agreement and find a way to fund it and make it happen." Director of Schools Barbara Parker and Daniel will form a committee that includes the Cannon County Sheriff, Woodbury Chief of Police and other Disaster Relief Agency heads to come up with a plan to propose and that SROs are part of the plan but there would be other things included in the plan that would not cost money. Parker recently attended a School Safety Summit in Franklin and returned with information, power point presentations and statistics regarding school safety and how to be prepared in the event of emergencies. In other business, the Board granted Auburn School Principal Melinda Crook permission to continue repair work that was started but not completed at the school gym. Auburn School will pay to insulate areas in the hallway and emergency exits, as well as restrooms. The Board also granted permission for Courtney Nichols to pursue a $100,000 Perkins Reserve Grant for the purpose of a culinary arts course at CCHS. The CCHS Baseball program also was granted permission to apply for a $100,000 Major League Baseball Tomorrow Grant for field improvements. Adam Sauer and Justin Fann were approved as non-faculty assistant baseball coaches. WGS Principal Bonnie Patterson was granted permission to pave the walking track at WGS and build a sidewalk from the grammar school to the playground to make it more handicap accessible. The Board gave approval for the Mechatronics program at Motlow State Community College. Students enrolling in the program will have to pay a $150 fee. It is an afternoon class from noon-to-3 p.m. The course is offered at the McMinnville campus. Parker recognized the top three finishers of the Cannon County Spelling Bee that will represent the county in the Regional Spelling Bee at MTSU. Auburn student Shelby Seamans finished first, followed by Ollie Wallace (West Side), and Chadler Todd (WGS). This year also marked the first time ever that a second-grader participated. The spelling bee lasted five rounds. Parker recognized the Cannon County Schools for the results of the yearly School Wide Positive Behavior Support Survey. The survey is conducted with students and staff of each school and scoring is based on knowledge of the program. All seven schools met the 80 percent scoring
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