School nurses and bus routes added

Two new school nurses were hired at the October 2 meeting, following last month's board approval of additional nursing posts to be paid through Medicaid funding.

Gina Mellott and Sherry Ambrose were hired as full-time nurses for county schools, effective at the end of October.

At the September board meeting, school nurse Ginny Harford told board members that the need for student health services was growing rapidly, and that the shortage of nurses in county schools was keeping smaller schools in the county from getting nursing visits.

School routes added

School officials also approved the addition of two bus routes to transport preschool special needs students to and from Widmyer Elementary. Transportation and special education officials told board members that the added bus runs would allow up to 12 special needs pre-schoolers to take advantage of extra county programs.

"We can do some homework with them, but we want to bring them into the classroom to prepare for kindergarten," said Linda Ward, the county's Director of Special Education.

Transportation Director John Gue said it wasn't feasible to carry the special needs children on regular school busses because they need to wear harnesses and require the help of trained aides.

Funding for the extra bus

runs will come from Medicaid and increased school enrollment.

Soccer parent concerned

Soccer parent Debbie Blackwell spoke to school officials at the October 2 meeting about the price of uniforms for the high school soccer team.

According to Blackwell, several parents had signed a petition calling for a closer look at the way uniforms are purchased.

Blackwell said one soccer jersey can cost $100, and that the athletic booster organization seemed to favor one particular business when ordering uniforms for team members.

She said one parent had offered to buy uniforms for the whole boys soccer team and was told that he could donate the $500 he was offering to the boosters and they would buy the jerseys and shorts from Fat Boys, a local custom tee-shirt shop.

"Maybe for a long time Fat Boys was the best deal in town, but we think there might be a better use of funds," said Blackwell.

Board president Laura Smith said the Athletic Committee for county schools would be meeting soon and would discuss Blackwell's concerns. Smith said she wanted to hear all sides to the matter. No meeting date for the committee has been set yet.

The Morgan County school board meets again on Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m.