Jordan Bates, a 6th grader, was honored at the February 1 school board meeting in the Spotlight on Success. Jordan won the 2009-2010 CMS Spelling Bee and is also active in football, wrestling, and his AWANA group at church. Jordan is the son of Tammy Hoppas and Aaron Bates. Congratulations Jordan!

Rod Strayer was recognized as February's Teacher of the Month.

Continuing the recognition of success, Rod Strayer was recognized as the Teacher of the Month. Strayer has been with Smith-Green for 24 years and had 7 years of experience before that! He sponsors the middle school academic Science team, was the head wrestling coach for 13 years, and served as the associate athletic director in charge of middle school sports for some time. Strayer was also a nominee for the State Teacher of the Year Award.

The board approved the leave request of CES Special Education Teacher Amy Pyle for the period of March 1, 2010 through the last day of the 2010-2011 school year.

Paul Sade was also hired as a CMS substitute teacher beginning approximately February 8, 2010 through April 1, 2010 to fill the vacancy created during Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips’ maternity leave.

The board voted 5-0 to direct the Whitley County Community Foundation to use the Paul Muller pass-through account for the purchase of a splash pad and use the remaining funds for annual maintenance.

A 5-0 vote also approved the change in non-resident student transfer cut-off date to August 15.

Lastly, the board approved the 2010 Capital Projects Plan in a vote of 5-0. The plan allocates what projects will receive funds and how much they will receive. The Plan includes, among other things, $30,000 to be spent on cameras for the parking lots, athletic fields, and building access points, $7,500 to be spent soundproofing room 134 as required by the new restructuring, and $1,000 for no smoking signs and outdoor labels that will be necessary since the board passed the new tobacco policy.