The issue of home visits conducted by Mason County teachers was discussed again Monday night during a regular meeting of the Mason County Board of Education.
The topic was discussed during last month’s board meeting, when retired teacher Cheryl Litzinger, who now substitutes, spoke on behalf of teachers at the middle school where she works.
The policy of teachers visiting students in the summer prior to the start of school has been in place for 11 years. During the April board meeting, discussion focused on both the positive and negative aspects of the visits, with safety concerns being a priority for teachers.
The board agreed to review the practice given the fact that in the 11 years of its existence, instances of social violence have escalated in recent years.
Interim Superintendent Don Pace said after consideration of concerns of teachers and the overall success of the program, he would not recommend to board members the program be abolished. Pace said discussion has taken place with school administrators on the subject, with a focus on how to provide safety for teachers while conducting the visits. He also said the idea of forming a committee at each of the district’s four schools to evaluate and review the program has been suggested as one way to address concerns and make improvements. The committee recommendations would then be passed along to incoming Superintendent Rick Ross. Board member Kevin Fulton assured Litzinger and others at the meeting Ross was involved in discussion about the home visits during his interview last month and apprised of the concerns expressed.
In other business, a concerned citizen questioned the board about the direction of the district’s agriculture program now that Mike Ross, who had led the program for more than 20 years has been relieved of his position as agriculture teacher and reassigned to the high school’s alternative school program.
Chairman Kirby Rosser said the board would “like to see a strong ag program and with that, I’m going to let it go.” Rosser said the matter is one dealing with personnel.
Rosser said last month board members took a trip to a Fayette County School to visit its agriculture department and to see for themselves what other ag programs are doing.Â
The citizen also questioned who would be making decisions on the future direction of the program, to which Pace answered a committee would be formed to determine the future direction of the program at Mason County.
Other action approved or taken by the board included:
— Approval of three trips outside the district: FCCLA state leadership camp in Hardinsburg June 9 – 13, FCCLA national leadership conference in Nashville July 6 – 11 and cross country team training in Hilton Head, S.C. in July. Fund-raising has been ongoing by each organization to support the expense of the trips.
— Stopped discussion or action on changing the district pay periods from one month to two times per month, based on survey results given by certified and classified employees.
— Approved paying costs for Pace for legal matters that arise after June 28, 2013, related to his employment as interim superintendent for acts that were performed as part of his official duties. The clause will be added to Pace’s contract file and has been approved because certain matters related to the investigation of former Superintendent Tim Moore have not been resolved during Pace’s time at the district and he may have to travel back to the area for board meetings or other meetings to answer questions on decisions or actions taken while he was employed as interim.
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