RICHMOND COUNTY – It was standing room only at the Richmond County Board of Education meeting in Hamlet on Monday, June 4, as high school students spoke to the board, faculty and staff received awards, and students received recognition for excellence in achievement. Following the Call to Order by Board Chairman Wiley Mabe, Jerry Etheridge read the invocation, sharing scripture from the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is My Shepherd.” Richmond Raider student Justyce Stevenson led the group in reciting The Pledge of Allegiance.
Fairview Heights Elementary School presented Inspiring Excellence Awards to three of its faculty members. Math and Science Teacher Felisia Gulledge, Data Manager Tammy Kelsey, and Teacher Assistant/ Bus Driver Teresa Turner received engraved plaques for their hard work and dedication to the students and the school.
L. J. Bell Elementary School received special recognition for its participation in the “Leader in Me” Program, winning The Lighthouse School Award, being one of only eleven schools in the state of North Carolina so designated.
Camryn Hines, a seventh grade student of teacher Nikki Covington at Rockingham Middle School, was then recognized for her academic excellence. A Duke TIP state as well as grand winner, she scored 21 on her ACT, and 32 out of 36 in Reading. She wasn’t able to travel to the awards ceremony, but arrangements are in the works for her to receive her medal.
Dennis Quick, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, then introduced Ricardo Leak to the School Board. Having been a member of the law enforcement community for over 40 years, Mr. Leak will now serve as the new Chief of the School Resource Officers. He stated that he was humbled to serve as a member of the Richmond County Schools, and wants to be a vital part of providing a safe and secure environment for all of those in the school community.
The School Board then heard from a group of students at Richmond Senior High School that shared their experiences involving the transition of students with special needs from Cordova into the high school programs. Special Olympian Justyce Stevenson told how he had enjoyed making new friends, going to Art class, eating lunch, reading books—things that so many Raiders do on a regular basis. He especially liked exercising with the football players.
RSHS Senior Altman Griffin said that she wanted to make the new students feel more comfortable, and her love for them was indescribable. Through her relationships with these students, she found a new sense of strength, love, and courage. Ms. Griffin plans to study physical therapy and make it her career. Speaking next was Bri Baysek, saying that the new students were sweet kids, and the teachers and students had definitely made an impact on her life. She encouraged others to become more involved in the lives of students with special needs, and to make sure that accommodations are made for just that purpose. Next up was football player Chase Coultard, who also shared how much he enjoyed getting to know these new students as they became part of the Raider community. Chase was part of the large entourage of students that volunteered at this spring’s Special Olympics at Raider Stadium.
Dr. Amber Watkins, Director of Exceptional Children, then gave a presentation to the board sharing a variety of pictures through the 2017-2018 school year as the former Cordova School students were included into the other county schools. Many smiling faces and fun activities were captured in the photographs, from Fall Festivals to Christmas celebrations to Special Olympics, ending with the Senior Prom.
Other items discussed at the meeting included the following:
1) Title I Funding allocations
2) CTE Plan
3) New Horticulture Teacher has been found for RSHS
4) Budget amendments approved
5) Approval for three field trips
6) Policies for adoption at last meeting approved
7) Nine new policies presented for review
8) Personnel report approved as presented, with Ronald Tillman stating his opposition, requesting that more discussion occur with this report.
As the meeting drew to a close, outgoing Board Members Dr. Irene Aiken and Don Green were each presented gifts by Dr. Cindy Goodman, Superintendent of Richmond County Schools, as she thanked them for their service. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 noon on Thursday, June 28. New Board Members Pat Campbell and Daryl Mason will be sworn in at this time, as well as returning members Bobbie Sue Ormsby and Joe Richardson.
