By Stephen Smoot
“Dear heavenly father, thank you for this day you’ve given us.” prayed Sheena Van Meter, Hardy County Schools Superintendent, as she opened the second regular meeting for the month of July.
Near the opening of the proceedings came examples of invoices and bills paid. These included a five horsepower motor from Trane for just under $2,100, two ice machines that had to be purchased from different accounts, security camera monitoring for $1,377, and other examples of bills paid.
Another expense came in the form of 641 summer meal boxes sent to households of some students. With reimbursement assistance from the federal government, Hardy County Schools made $12 to the good on each box. Van Meter stated that “any child in Hardy County can sign up, even homeschooled children . . . any child at school age.”
Households receive them once every 10 days.
Van Meter then discussed the policy up for approval concerning athletics. This includes a requirement that coaches and athletic directors must meet with students and parents to ensure that they understand that participation in athletics could result in serious injury or death.
“That has to happen before any athlete can begin practice,” stated Van Meter. For example, football coaches must also share important information, such as the concussion protocols. Contracts must also be signed prior to practice to ensure that all understand.
Additionally, athletes who pick up a third tardy will have to sit out a practice or a game. Consequences after three tardies will take place with each tardy.
The Board also reviewed policies concerning “personal electronic devices,” which includes cellular phones, tablets, smart watches, and other interactive electronic devices. Each county had to create its own PED policy to regulate student, and sometimes instructor, use of them in classrooms. Hardy County created a “basic” policy and allows school administrators flexibility to “set those parameters.”
Those who need PEDs because they support medical devices, such as a blood sugar monitor, can get a waiver.
Another new policy referred to charging tuition of students who transfer in from out of state after a certain point. This makes up for transfers who cannot get counted under the student aid formula. HCS would determine the total amount of tuition to charge, then divide it up among the months remaining in the school year.
Hardy County implemented the policy because of a State requirement.
