Parole Hearing for Bounds Set for Thursday

63 year Gerald Wayne (J.B.) Bounds of McMinnville, who has spent nearly 30 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a DeKalb County man in 1981, is scheduled to have another parole hearing Thursday, October 21st at the Southeast Regional Correctional Facility in Pikeville where he is incarcerated.
Bounds is serving a life sentence for the first degree premeditated killing of 27 year old Sherman Wright, who was shot once in the head just outside the Odyssey Arcade on West Broad Street, across from the Dairy Queen. The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 2nd, 1981, allegedly over a gambling debt. The game room no longer exists. The building now serves as the location for the Discount Tobacco Outlet.
Bounds has been before members of the Tennessee Board of Pardons and Parole twice in recent years trying to gain an early release, but so far to no avail. Members of the Wright family and state prosecutors have always opposed it and plan to oppose it again this time.
Melissa McDonald, Communications Director for the Tennessee Board of Probation & Parole, said this will be the third parole review hearing for Bounds. He first became eligible for parole in 2002 (Initial parole eligibility is determined by the statute under which the offender was convicted) and was declined for seriousness of the offense. The Board reviewed his case again in 2005, and again denied him for seriousness of the offense.
A Board Member will hear this case Thursday, and at the end, he or she will cast a vote—either to parole or deny parole. After the hearing, the file will go to the other six Board Members, who will review the case and cast their votes. McDonald said ” The voting continues until we reach four concurring votes (either to parole or to deny parole), which is what the law requires for a decision on this offense.”
The factors Board Members consider in making parole decisions include the seriousness of the offense, the amount of time served, support and/or opposition to the parole, victim impact, any disciplinary issues the offender might have had while incarcerated, any programs the offender might have completed while incarcerated, etc.
If the offender is denied parole, the Board will set a date when they will consider the case again. They can set that time for anywhere from one to six years.
It generally takes 2-3 weeks to get a final decision in any case.

Mayor and Aldermen to Review Golf Course Proposals During Thursday Workshop

Facing a Saturday deadline, the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen still seem unsettled on what to do about the Municipal Golf Course and Swimming Pool
Smithville Golf Management is giving up it’s lease as of Saturday, October 23rd and no one has yet been selected by the city to either to lease or manage the operation.
Two weeks ago, the aldermen voted to seek written proposals from interested parties and last night (Monday night) two were offered. Thursday night, the mayor and aldermen will meet in a workshop at 7:00 p.m. to review the proposals from Farron Hendrix and Tony Poss and any others that might be presented.
Farron Hendrix of Smithville Golf Management, the current tenant, told the mayor and aldermen Monday night that his group would agree to assist the city in the continued management of the golf course during the transition under certain conditions.
Hendrix said those conditions are that: “The City of Smithville will purchase our equipment at an appraised value.”
“The City of Smithville will pay two employees (chosen by Smithville Golf Management) an hourly wage of $10.00 each to run the clubhouse and maintain the golf course.”
Smithville Golf Management will continue to oversee the course, maintain and repair the equipment (with the City purchasing any needed parts), and assist with course maintenance (aerating, mowing, seeding, etc.) until April 1st, 2011.”
“Smithville Golf Management will submit to the City all green fees collected, and weekly time sheets of the employees.”
“Currently, two employees are needed nine hours per day Monday through Friday, and ten hours per day Saturday and Sunday; however, as the weather changes, these weekly hours will decrease”, said Hendrix.
Hendrix added “This proposal will allow the City to keep the Golf Course operational during the slower winter season, and will allow the City an extended amount of time to determine how to best manage the Golf Course.”
Meanwhile, Tony Poss, doing business as Poss Lawncare, addressed the mayor and aldermen Monday night with his own proposal.
“My proposal has four options for the city to consider. Option 1: I agree to manage the golf course and swimming pool for the City of Smithville for all revenues under $94,000 to help pay for labor in the Pro-shop and golf course mowing labor from this $94,000. After $94,000 in gross sales, I will reimburse the city at a rate of 50% each month until my management term is terminated. The city will pay for all expenses of the pool, golf course, lifeguards, utilities, and all insurance costs. Repair or replace any defects in irrigation lines to the greens and tee boxes which includes pumps or any other issue that may arise. The city will pay for all Golf course equipment needed and expenses on the equipment while I’m overseeing the course. Any new equipment for the course or improvements will be approved by the city and myself before any purchases are made. This proposal is for 10 years and an optional 10 year extension. I will give the city a 60 day notice of any intent to void a contract at any time and in no way be obligated to this proposal if awarded under these terms. These terms can be discussed or altered in any way as long as both parties agree to the terms. If the city agrees to any proposal, the city also pays the attorney fees to make any one of these proposals legal.”
“Option 2: I would retain all revenues under $71,000 to pay for three employees to run the Pro-Shop and keep the greens, golf course and swimming pool under supervision. This pro-shop is open seven days a week and a minimum of 12-14 hours per day. The city would pay all expenses and after the $71,000 is reached in gross sales, I would reimburse the city 50% of the sales after that. The city would furnish extra help to mow the golf course.”
“Option 3: Pay me a salary of $71,000 to manage the course seven days a week, on average 119 hours per week during peak months and the city to supply needed help and equipment. The city would keep 80% of the revenues and I would receive 20%.’
“Option 4: have a workshop to see if an agreement can be reached.”
Poss added ” My main goal is to have a manicured golf course, respectful pro-shop, and a more up to date swimming pool. This is why I want to partner with the city to try and get grants to achieve this.”
Mayor Taft Hendrixson said the city could not purchase equipment directly from Smithville Golf Management, because of the competitive bidding requirement. Alderman Aaron Meeks added that funds are not allocated in this year’s budget for some of the suggestions offered up in these proposals.
The mayor said if no agreement is reached soon, the city may have to hire someone as a stand-in manager to keep the golf course maintained until the issue is settled.

Hardcastle Gets Eight Year Sentence in Alexandria Aggravated Burglary and Robbery

A 30 year old woman, charged on August 23rd, 2009 in an early Sunday morning assault on her 95 year old landlord at the residence they shared at 309 West Main Street in Alexandria, received an eight year sentence in Criminal Court Friday.
Debralee Hardcastle pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated burglary. She received an eight year sentence to serve in the robbery case and three years to serve in the burglary. The two sentences are to run concurrently as one eight year term and concurrently with a Wilson County violation of probation against her.
Hardcastle was given jail credit for time served from August 23rd, 2009 to October 15th, 2010.
Chief Mark Collins of the Alexandria Police Department, on August 23rd, 2009, said Hardcastle was charged with especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated robbery, and especially aggravated assault in the attack on Lilae Belle Gilliam. Hardcastle was also charged at the time with theft under $500 in a separate case.
According to Chief Collins, Gilliam, who lived alone, rented a portion of her home to Hardcastle and another woman less than a month before this incident occurred. They apparently moved here from Wilson County. Both dwellings in the Gilliam home were under the same roof but had separate entrances.
Chief Collins said Hardcastle, in order to alter her appearance, dressed disguised as a man and then left her room around 3:15 a.m. He said she went outside, went around the house, and knocked on Mrs. Gilliam’s side door. When Mrs. Gilliam answered the door, Hardcastle, holding a 14 inch knife, forced her way inside and demanded the elderly woman’s medication. Mrs. Gilliam, who apparently did not recognize Hardcastle, resisted and tried to defend herself. Though she fought off the attack, Gilliam suffered lacerations and bruises from blows to her head and upper body.
After the assault, Hardcastle returned to her room, taking three bottles of medication from Gilliam’s residence. Mrs. Gilliam, bleeding from the attack, dropped to her hands and knees, crawled to the foyer near the door and began screaming for help.
Apparently in an attempt to avoid arousing suspicion as to her involvement, Hardcastle removed her disguise, changed her clothes, cleaned up and went back to assist Mrs. Gilliam and called 911.
Gilliam was transported by DeKalb EMS to UMC Medical Center in Lebanon where she was treated and released.
Chief Collins said after interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence at the scene, Hardcastle was identified as a suspect.. She was picked up for questioning, but she refused to cooperate or give a statement. She was subsequently charged in the case.
The case was investigated by the Alexandria Police Department in cooperation with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

Former Circuit Court Clerk Bookkeeper Gets Pre-Trial Diversion

A former bookkeeper at the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, charged with theft of property over $1,000, appeared in Criminal Court Friday where she was granted pre-trial diversion under a memorandum of understanding.
Under terms of the agreement, Tonya D. Page will be on supervised probation by the Tennessee Board of Pardons and Parole for a period of two years and she must make restitution of $8,501 and pay court costs in the case within ninety days. At the end of the two years, if Page has complied with the conditions set out in this pre-trial diversion agreement, then the case is to be dismissed.
This memorandum of understanding, approved by Judge Leon Burns, Jr., was agreed to by and between the Assistant District Attorney General for DeKalb County, the defendant Page and her attorney Adam Parrish.
Page was charged in a grand jury sealed indictment in August, 2009.
The charge stemmed from a TBI investigation into a cash shortage of $8,501 in General Sessions Court funds, which was discovered during an annual state audit.
Page was initially hired as a clerk in the office four years ago and then as bookkeeper. She was later terminated from her employment there, after this incident arose.
The case against Page was presented to the Grand Jury by the TBI.

Two Arrested for Vandalism, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest

Smithville Police checking out a reported attempted break-in on Sunday, October 10th arrested two people on other charges
27 year old Elizabeth Rochelle Bradshaw and 34 year old Royce Duane McCrary both of Miller Road were picked up by Sergeant Randy King for vandalism, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Sergeant King and Officer James Cornelius responded to 530 Miller Road where someone was allegedly trying to break into a residence. Upon their arrival they made contact with Bradshaw and McCrary. Both were identified as the persons attempting to break in. Bradshaw appeared to be intoxicated and she began screaming at the victim causing alarm. While attempting to handcuff Bradshaw, she began resisting and trying to pull away. Bradshaw was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. After placing McCrary in the back of the patrol car, he began kicking the side rear window pushing it off the track. Bond for Bradshaw is $5,000. McCrary’s bond is $2,500. They will appear in court on October 21st.
33 year old Jason Lucio Galvan of Short Mountain Highway was cited by Officer James Cornelius on Saturday, October 9th for violation of the open container law. Galvan was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation. Galvan had an open beer in his possession. His court date is November 2nd.
21 year old Wesley Shane Garner of Thompson Station was arrested by Sergeant Randy King on Saturday, October 9th for a second offense of driving on a revoked license. Sergeant King stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and upon making contact with the driver, Garner, and asking for his license, Sergeant King found them to be revoked. Bond for Garner is $2000 and his court date is December 2nd.
Lieutenant Steven Leffew investigated an accident with injury on Saturday, October 9th. The mishap occurred on Highway 56 north and Church Street. 30 year old Robert L Sartin of Sparta was southbound on Highway 56 in a 1995 Nissan Quest van when the vehicle left the road and struck a utility pole. Sartin told police that he had worked the third shift and fell asleep while driving. Sartin was transported by EMS to the emergency room at DeKalb Community Hospital and was cited for driving on a suspended license and violation of the financial responsibility law.
56 year old Judy Faye Barrett of Christiana was arrested on Sunday, October 10th for DUI. Officer James Cornelius was dispatched to West Broad Street to check on a vehicle driven by a female who appeared to be very confused. Upon making contact with Barrett, Officer Cornelius observed that her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Bond for Barrett is $1500 and her court date is November 18th.
41 year old John Michael Turner of AB Frasier Road was arrested on Monday, October 11th for public intoxication. K-9 Officer Brad Tatrow responded to West Broad Street on an upset customer complaint. Upon arrival he found Turner to have a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Bond for Turner is $1000 and his court date is October 28th.
28 year old Josue Alberto Torres of Blue Springs Road was arrested on Friday, October 15th for driving on a suspended driver license. Officer James Cornelius stopped a vehicle driven by Torres for failure to make a complete stop at a four way stop. Upon making contact with Torres, Officer Cornelius discovered through central dispatch that his license were suspended. Bond for Torres is $1000 and his court date is November 18th.
Any information received that will help the Smithville Police Department solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
If you have information contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

Service Restored for DUD Customers Affected by Broken Water Line

Water will soon start flowing again for customers of the DeKalb Utility District who have been without water for the last day or two.
DUD officials say work was completed late Friday night to a main line break which was discovered Thursday on Highway 70 at the top of Snow Hill across from DeKalb Market.
Service should be restored Saturday morning for customers in the area. It may also take a little while for water pressure to build back for some customers.
Officials say because the line was buried so deep in the ground, it was difficult to reach. Digging operations began shortly after the break was discovered Thursday. DUD workers and other local contractors worked late in the night Thursday and early Friday morning. More digging equipment and manpower were brought in Friday to join in the effort to locate the line.

Geneva Blanks Harrell

76 year old Geneva Blanks Harrell died Friday at Alive Hospice in Nashville of an extended illness. She was born in Cannon County and a resident of Murfreesboro. She was also a member of the Kingwod Church of Christ and an administrative assistant. The funeral will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Herb Alsup and Doug Hutchins will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by a sister, Sibyl Melton and her parents, Clyde L. Blanks and Gladys Wilson Blanks. Survivors include her husband, Sterling Harrell of Murfreesboro. Children, Brenda Harrell McKenzie and husband Terry of Murfreesboro, Beverly Harrell Wallace and husband Pat of Murfreesboro, and Brian Harrell of Murfreesboro. Sisters, Audrey and husband Ebert Gilley of Brentwood and Ethel and husband Raymond Pedigo of Woodbury. Grandchildren, Jessica Wallace, Julie Wallace, and Cassy Lynn McKenzie. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Smithville Home Heavily Damaged by Fire

A fire Thursday night caused extensive damage to the home of Reba Scott at 1004 Forrest Avenue, Smithville.
Central dispatch received the call at 7:42 p.m.
Captain Jeff Wright of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department says Ms. Scott left the house a few minutes before 7:00 p.m. and the fire was already in progress when she returned. A neighbor apparently reported it.
The blaze could be seen coming through the roof as firefighters worked to bring it under control.
Captain Wright says the fire appeared to have originated from the kitchen area of the home but the exact cause has not been determined. Most of the homes contents were either damaged or destroyed in the fire

City Beer Board Suspends Permits of Three Businesses for 90 Days

The Smithville Beer Board has suspended the license of three businesses for violation of the city’s beer ordinance which prohibits the illegal sales of alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
The owners of Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard, Village Market on North Congress Boulevard, and El Mariachi (BP Station) on West Broad Street are prohibited from selling beer for ninety days.
The beer board held a hearing Thursday evening at city hall.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger, in presenting his case against the stores to the beer board Thursday night, explained that a confidential underage informant was sent into all locations that sell beer in Smithville on Friday, August 27th. In each case, Chief Caplinger said the informant, who is 18 years of age, presented his ID and tried to buy beer. He was successful only at these three stores, Jewel’s Market, El Mariachi, and at Village Market. “At each stop, myself and detective (Matt) Holmes, positioned ourselves where we could actually see the operation. He (underage informant) would go in and pick up a six pack of beer out of the cooler, come to the counter, and set it down. We watched to see if he was asked for an ID or not. Some stores turned him down, some did not.”
In the case against El Mariachi, Chief Caplinger explained that “at this particular location, and we did not know it at the time, but the (clerk behind the counter working there) was a juvenile. We observed her sell him the beer and she did not ask for an ID or anything. He did have the ID out but they did not check it. He bought a six pack of Busch beer. We observed him pay for it, pick it up, and then he came out of the store and got back in the van with us (Caplinger and Holmes). We recorded everything and went to the next location.”
Chief Caplinger said the store clerk was still working behind the counter when police returned later to make the arrests. “That’s when we found out that she was only sixteen years old.”
The girl’s aunt, 33 year old Susana Jasmin Saldivar was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allowing a sixteen year old female store clerk to sell beer. The 16 year old was also charged in a juvenile petition with selling alcohol to a minor.
Since then Saldivar has appeared in General Sessions Court where she pled guilty to the charge. She was given a six month suspended sentence and fined $50 in the case.
Jim Judkins, the attorney for Ms. Saldivar, appealed to the beer board not to punish the aunt for the actions of her niece, who was not an employee of the store. “This was an afternoon where she (niece) came over to the store. What we would allege is that they (uncle and aunt) have allowed her to stand up near the bar (store counter) where the cash register is and do her homework. At this particular time, she (niece) was supposed to get Mr. Rodriguez (her uncle) to come over and do this (make the sale). He was on the very other side of the store checking out a shipment and got distracted. Ms Saldivar, the owner, was in the back in the ladies room. So our position is that the owners or none of their employees ever made or allowed any sale of beer to a minor under 21 years of age. Their niece, and I’m not saying she’s a bad girl because sometimes kids break the rules, but she didn’t do what she was supposed to and she went ahead and made the sale. Our argument is that my clients, the owners and their employees, no one who was authorized to sell beer that day did it. The niece did it.”
In response, city attorney Vester Parsley, Jr. said the city ordinance is clear. “It says “make or allow” and they were allowing her to run the cash register. The ordinance says “It shall be unlawful for any beer permit holder to make or allow any sale of beer to a minor under twenty one years of age.”
Judkins added that Saldivar entered a “best interest” guilty plea and accepted the sentence rather than spend another two weeks in jail.
In the case against Jewel’s Market, Chief Caplinger explained that the underage informant showed the store clerk, Kira G. Clouse, his ID but she ignored it and sold him the beer anyway. ” Our client went in and purchased a six pack of Natural Ice Beer. She did ask for an ID and he produced it, showed it, but she just looked down at it and handed him the beer and he walked out.”
The store manager of Jewel’s Market, Neil Patel, was present during Thursday night’s beer board hearing and admitted that the store was guilty of making the illegal beer sale. The store owner did not attend the meeting. Patel said the owner lives in Georgia. The court case against Ms. Clouse is still pending.
In the case against Village Market, Chief Caplinger said the buy went pretty much the same way as the others. “Our agent went in and picked up a six pack of Busch beer. He put it on the counter. No ID was checked there. He paid for it and received a receipt for it and he came out with the beer.”
The case against the store clerk who made the sale at Village Market, Hardik Pravinbhai Patel, is still pending in court.
The owner of Village Market addressed the beer board Thursday night. He too admitted that the store was guilty of making the illegal beer sale, but asked that he be allowed to pay a penalty fine in lieu of a 90 day suspension of his license. The owner said he would lose business and might have to lay off employees because of this.
Parsley said the city ordinance does not provide for the option of a fine.” The ordinance says upon the finding of any violation by any permit holder, the punishment for the first offense shall be a minimum suspension of the beer permit for a period of ninety days. Upon any permit holder committing a violation a second time, the punishment shall be the revocation of the beer license.”
The beer board, made up of Steve Hayes, Farron Hendrix, Annette Greek, and Alderman Cecil Burger, voted in each case to suspend the beer license of each establishment for ninety days. Beer board member Lloyd Black was absent Thursday night.
Parsley instructed each of the store owners and operators to stop selling beer immediately and warned of the consequences if they are caught selling beer to anyone during the 90 day suspension period.
Chief Caplinger is expected to pick up the license of each of the three stores by Friday.

School Board Seeks To Work Out Details with City and County on Plan to Direct Traffic in Two School Zones

The DeKalb County Board of Education appears to be willing to join in a partnership with the City of Smithville and County Commission to appropriate funds toward the cost of hiring someone to direct traffic in the school zone at Northside Elementary and possibly at the high school subject to agreement on final details.
During Thursday night’s school board meeting, seventh district member Johnny Lattimore made a motion that a committee be appointed to meet with county and city officials and ” if everybody agrees to everything, the director of schools and (school board) chairman can take executive action to issue those funds to cover our part of it. Then we can vote on it next month.”
Chairman Charles Robinson appointed board members Billy Miller and Kenny Rhody and he will ask Fifth district member W.J. (Dub) Evins III, who was absent Thursday night, to also be on the committee.
School board members apparently discussed this issue in a workshop on Tuesday night but it was not on the regular meeting agenda Thursday night. Third district member Kenny Rhody brought it up near the end of the meeting and Lattimore suggested that it first be referred to committee before taking board action. “Money is not the issue. It’s how we pay the people that are going to direct the traffic. I think it would be a good idea to form a committee to meet with the county commission and the city council to discuss the details and work it out because if not we’re just going to be passing it back from one meeting to the next. Everybody needs to sit down and iron out all the details.”
Fourth district member Billy Miller said he started doing some checking after concerns had been raised about liability..”I’ve done some checking today. I think an issue was whether or not it would be a liability to each department or not. If it was set up as a 1099 tax form where it was contractual labor, the liability goes back to the person who is actually doing it in the state roadway. There is also a one day training that each individual has to take that is put on by the state at no cost to the county. Each one will have an insurance that will cover them for the liability. As far as wrecks, school zones, I checked with state, county, and city officials today and there is nothing any more special about a school zone than any other public highway. Accidents work the same way. There is no more liability. When humans are involved, humans are going to err and there may be accidents out there but I still think that having somebody out there will far outweigh what it would be if we didn’t have anybody out there.”
Lattimore responded, “I agree Mr. Miller but I think it would be better if everybody just sat down at a meeting and discussed it.”
Sixth district member Bruce Parsley asked “Hasn’t the city and county already approved it?
Lattimore answered, “They’ve already approved it but nobody has said who is going to take care of the payroll issue of it. That’s what needs to be discussed.”
Rhody interjected, “The city’s went ahead and put their good faith money up. The county has already done theirs. I think they’re just waiting on us to approve our part. We (should) all sit down and iron out all the details.”
Miller also addressed the issue of the man hours involved. “I think there is a concern on how many hours they would be out there. I think everybody at this point and time is looking at somebody at Northside and the high school and down from two hours (at one school) to one hour (per day at each school). I spoke with some city officials today and there’s not an issue with the city handling that as far as having them come in and clock in. They can check in on the (police) radio and clock their time in and out because we (school system) don’t have anybody here at seven o’clock in the morning. If somebody calls in sick or there needs to be a replacement, we wouldn’t be able to provide that but the city would. It’s my understanding from the conversations I’ve had with them (city officials) that this would not be an issue to do that if we were willing to put up our third of the monies.”
The DeKalb County Commission last month voted 12-2 to appropriate up to three thousand dollars a year toward the cost of hiring someone to direct traffic in the school zone at Northside Elementary and possibly at the high school.
The Smithville Aldermen voted to make the same $3,000 appropriation last month (for Northside Elementary) with the understanding that the county and school board would each fund one third of the costs as well.
In other business the board set Friday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. as the date for the 2011 DeKalb County High School Graduation
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby presented his monthly report on personnel.
Those employed since last month are:
B.J. Patterson, part-time computer tech
Roger Sharp, Jr., part-time computer tech
Sarah Ashley Barnes, DeKalb Middle School Guidance Counselor
Kelly Talent, certified substitute teacher
Deliah McGhee, substitute cafeteria worker
Paulette Ruffner, substitute cafeteria worker
Tammy Judkins, substitute school nurse
Thomas Maney, substitute custodian
Cerina S. Craig, part-time Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Leave of Absence:
Crystal Gordon, Special Education Assistant at Northside Elementary, leave as requested
Paulette McDonald, Special Education Assistant at DeKalb Middle School, leave as requested
Georgia Young, DeKalb West School Cafeteria Manager, leave as requested
Holly Hendrix, Smithville Elementary School teacher, leave as requested
Brad Mullinax, Technology, leave as requested
Amy Fox, leave as requested
Resignations:
Richard Bullard, custodian at DCHS
Peggy Semmes, DCHS teacher
Summer Kinnaird Shelton, DeKalb Middle School Guidance Counselor
Diana Moon, Educational Assistant
The board recognized former fourth district member Joan Draper, who served four years on the Board of Education and did not seek re-election this year. Her term expired August 31st.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby presented her with a school bell as a token of appreciation for her service. ” She served this board to the best of her ability and did an outstanding job. A lot of times people run for public office for their own personal agenda and sometimes the agenda they run for is not for everybody. But when Ms. Joan ran for office as a school board member, she ran for all the children of DeKalb County and she served the children of DeKalb County. Our schools have been very fortunate to have had Ms. Joan Draper as a board member.”
Board members welcomed this year’s student representative on the Board of Education, Samantha Lewis of DCHS
The policy states that “The DeKalb County Board of Education may select one high school student representative to serve in an advisory position to the Board. This student shall be designated by the DeKalb County High School Principal to serve for one school year. The student representative shall serve without compensation.
Some responsibilities of the DeKalb County Student Representative are as follows:
1.Attend the monthly meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education
2. Communicate needs including questions, concerns, problems, updates, and suggestions to the Board of Education.
3.Help design a banner for the DeKalb County School System for the TSBA Fall Conference, as per TSBA guidelines, to be presented at the October School Board Meeting.
4.Attend the annual Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE) Conference if funding is available.
The board adopted a resolution of appreciation honoring custodians.
The resolution states “Whereas, custodians take pride in the appearance of their schools and they recognize that the way they carry out their job responsibilities greatly influences the first impression of the school of those who walk through the doors; and
Whereas, we depend on custodians to help keep our students and staff free from illness by providing a healthy learning environment for our students and staff by keeping the school in the cleanest and best condition possible and being “Germinators” who tap out germs, smack down dirt, and knock-out odors; and
Whereas, our custodians make our schools better places by being friendly, helpful, encouraging and consistently demonstrating patience and kindness toward students and staff in the performance of their duties; and
Whereas, custodians frequently go beyond the call of duty to assist students and staff members in numerous ways that reflect well on the schools and school district; and
Therefore, be it hereby resolved, that the School Board expresses appreciation for the Germinators who strive to keep our schools in an orderly, clean, and safe condition each day to make schools better places for students to learn.
Be it further resolved that the School Board declares October 14th as Custodian Appreciation Day in DeKalb County Public Schools.
Be it further resolved, that each school principal is hereby encouraged to get students involved in planning and celebrating Custodian Appreciation Day.”