BELLVILLE — Designation of an interim superintendent, an increase in school lunch prices, a contract with Adidas, and the district’s illegal substance testing policy were discussed at Clear Fork Valley Local Board of Education’s regular meeting Thursday.
Knox County Educational Service Center Superintendent Timm Mackley was named interim superintendent to serve from June 13 until July 31 at no cost to the district, but as part of the district’s participation with Knox County ESC.
Current Interim Superintendent Dave Ritter was thanked for his service and given a plaque by the board. Newly appointed Superintendent Janice Wyckoff will fill the post beginning in August.
Discussion and first readings of the Illegal Substances Testing Policy and Admission of Students from Non-Chartered or Home Schooling took place at Thursday night’s meeting.
Some discussion occurred in regard to the admission of home-schooled students into Clear Fork sports activities. A change in state law now allows home-schooled students to be eligible for athletics through the school with no core classes at the school required. Previously, students were required to have at least one core class at the school before athletic participation. Board member Jim Klenk advised the board to consider revising the athletic handbook to require copies of home-schooled student’s grades before allowing them to practice.
The board also discussed the illegal substances testing policy. Adjustments to the policy included removing the wording of “365 days per year” and restricting testing to the beginning of fall practices and ending at state championships. The term bi-weekly was also removed and replaced by a clause on random testing.
Results of the illegal substance abuse testing were discussed. Clear Fork High School Principal Brian Brown noted that of 437 tests administered, five tests were positive.
Brown presented a draft of policy that would require athletes that test positive to enter an intervention program, which would allow them to continue to play sports. A refusal to enter the program would result in a 30 percent denial in participation of team sports.
The board approved a 25 cent increase in the price of lunch in the high school, bringing the price to $3. Director of Clear Fork Support Services Kelly Stanford explained the reason behind the increase, noting the issue began about two years ago when the United States Department of Agriculture demanded a switch to whole grain products, which are more expensive.
Additionally, the variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as serving sizes, have increased. “On Fridays, we do pizza and salad. We started doing Caesar salad. The kids have really taken a liking to it. But honestly, it’s three times the cost of a tossed salad mix for us to do,” added Stanford.
Clear Fork Athletic Director Benji Bethea answered questions from the board in regard to the Adidas contract as well as an agreement with Avita Health Systems for athletic trainer services.
Addressing the Avita agreement, Bethea said, “The gist of this contract is they are not going to charge us anything for athletic training services. That’s saving $10,000 right there.” The agreement was approved unanimously by the board, as were several other items of new business.
The Adidas contract had been amended since the last meeting, removing the clause that called for sports team members to purchase exclusively Adidas products. Parents and students may purchase any brand they prefer, as the contract will only require items purchased by the school, such as uniforms, to be Adidas items. Those items will be offered at a 40 percent discount under the contract. “Adidas gives us $3,500 every year to buy team uniforms,” said Bethea. “The savings is astounding.” The contract was approved unanimously.
The board entered into executive session to discuss the hiring of an employee. No action was taken.
