Spotlights Light Up Board Agenda
by Ashley Murphy

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Cleveland City Board of Education had a full agenda for their March 1st meeting. First order of business was to approve the consent agenda. Items approved included fundraisers, field trips and changes to the Cleveland High School Course of Study and changes to the current curriculum.

Several Spotlights also filled the agenda. The Board thanked The Breakfast Club for their generous donations of supplies to Cleveland City Schools each year.

Many teachers received Teacher of the Year nominations. The chosen were as follows: Gloria Scott-Richmond from Blythe Bower Elementary as Elementary School Teacher of the Year; Kelly Owens from Cleveland Middle School as Middle School Teacher of the Year; Jeanie Long from Cleveland High School as High School Teacher of the Year.

Lillie Brown, a Cleveland High School student, was chosen by the Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium as a top researcher. Brown presented her research at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on February 25th. Two other Cleveland High students, Hannah Johnson and Felicity Swafford, were also chosen as researchers, but were unable to attend the School Board meeting last night. Brown stated that she unfortunately did not win, but that she did receive an honorable mention, which will allow her to travel to Maryland in April to present again.

Director of Schools Dr. Rick Denning informed that Doug Greene will be retiring and that Cathy Goodman will be promoted to the position of Assistant Director of Schools effective July 1, 2010.

On the regular agenda, there was a point to place foreign language classes at Cleveland Middle School. This led to a presentation from the Confucius Institute  at the University of Memphis (CIUM.) It is the first Institute of its kind in Tennessee and in the Mid-South. CIUM was established to promote the understanding of the Chinese language and culture among the people of the United States. CIUM offers a BA degree program in Asian Study/International Trade; Chinese language and culture classes; Chinese cultural lecture series; opportunities of scholarships for scholar and student exchange programs.

Partner schools for the Confucius Institute include Pellissippi State Community College and University of Tennessee, both in Knoxville.

A special called meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at 4 p.m. in the Administration Building to discuss the budget.

The next regular meeting of the Cleveland City Board of Education will be on Monday, April 5th at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Building located on Mouse Creek Road on the E.L. Ross Campus.

Spring Break for City Schools will be March 15-19. Enjoy!