Board Has Lengthy Discussion About Political E-mail
by Ashley Murphy

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Bradley County Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 8, 2010. The following are highlights from that meeting.

March was a "very productive" month for construction at Park View Elementary. The retention pond is almost complete at the site and geothermal drilling is still ongoing. Electrical work is set to begin in the building and shingle roofing should be complete in about 30 days. Target date for completion is still the end of August 2010.

Drawings for the Fine Arts facility at Bradley Central are complete and have been sent off to the Fire Marshall. Cason Conn of TriCon stated that he hoped to have the drawings out to the public as soon as possible so that bidders can start looking at them. Conn hopes to have a bid date of April 29th or 30th so that the project can quickly continue.

Board member Troy Weathers made a statement regarding a political e-mail that was sent out by Board Chairman David Kelley and Vice Chairman Terry McGuire to a large number of Bradley County Schools employees regarding the upcoming election. Weathers commented that someone doesn't "always have to break the law to do something that's not right." Weathers continued by saying there was a comment endorsing a certain commissioner as being the only commissioner to do anything for education and that, in his opinion, was a "slap in the face to our commissioners" and that "this e-mail is not speaking for the entire board." Weathers then defended the entire County Commission and stated that the relationship between the commission and the school board is what has helped to achieve all that has been accomplished in education.

After Weathers made his statements and Chairman David Kelley announced that the board's attorney, Charles Cagle, found no policy violations, Vice Chairman Terry McGuire made several apologies. McGuire first apologized to the board as a whole and said the e-mail was not a representation of the board as whole. He then went on to apologize to Johnny McDaniel, the Bradley County commissioners, to all teachers and administrators in the school system and to anyone in general that the e-mail may have put in an uncomfortable position.

Several items were on the Director of Schools Good News Report, McDaniel announced that Bradley Central will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fine Arts facility at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010. Bradley Central FFA has also opened their Greenhouse and plants are available for sale to the public.

At North Lee Elementary, Coach Doan's physical education classes raised over $7,500 during Jump Rope for Heart to benefit the American Heart Association.

Franklin Hyberger, who recently passed away, was honored by Oak Grove Elementary and State Representative Eric Watson for his numerous contributions to the school.

Deb Bailey, Principal of Park View Elementary School, along with McDaniel, have been visiting area elementary schools to speak with staff about the opening of the new school. Several public meetings will also be held in the coming months. Please call Bradley County Schools at 423-476-0620 for further information.

Prospect Elementary School recently held their annual Spring Fling, which helped to raise $15,000. This money will be used for a new playground and walking track.

Valley View Elementary will hold an Open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2010 to celebrate the newly renovated portions of the school.

Four students were also recognized for their representation to SCOPE, Student Congress on Policies in Education. From Bradley Central, Rachel Boltniew and Devon McCully. From Walker Valley, Alex Brumlow and Rachel McAllister.

The Bradley County Board of Education meet on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Administrative Building located on the Bradley Central High School campus.