Students, teacher, bank on Board’s honors listing

by Barbara Atwill
STUDENT RECOGNITION - Lamarious Stray, center, was recognized for his third place MSU Educators Rising award during the Nov. 18 School Board meeting. Pictured, from left are Superintendent PaTrice Chambers, Stray, and Fulton County Board of Education Board Chairman Rob Garrigan. (Photo by Barbara Atwill)
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Three categories of recognitions were announced before members of the Fulton County Board of Education, meeting for regular monthly session Nov. 18.

Board members Brian Emmons, Rob Garrigan, Barry Patrick, Perry Turner and Superintendent PaTrice Chambers were present in person, with board member Kim Hagler in attendance via Zoom videoconferencing.

Student Lamarious Stray received recognition of excellence, third place Murray State University (MSU) Educators Rising competition.

“I’m thankful to be able to have the competition this year. Last year we were not able to have the Educators Rising competition. When I get ‘big’, I plan on working in the education system and take Ms. Murphy’s job,” Stray said.

Recognition also went to student Taylor Gun for excellence for fourth place in MSU Ag competition.

Jake Kellum received recognition for excellence for MSU FFA All Region Star.

“I talked with Jake this afternoon, and his plans are to go Hutson Ag School for Diesel and work to be a diesel mechanic for farmers. He was very appreciative of the Ag program,” said Diane Owen, Assistant Superintendent.

Best Pilot in the House for November 2021 honors went to Jacob McKinney.

Supt. Chambers said her Superintendent Special Spotlight for November went to The Citizens Bank.

“The bank has been with us for a long, long time. We just wanted to celebrate you tonight for helping us celebrate Excellence,” Chambers said.

Bank President Susan Malone was present to accept the honor and was presented two tokens, one of which was to be signed and then passed along to someone else who promotes excellence in the community.

Superintendent Chambers notification of personnel included the hiring of Kendall Matheny to be the receptionist at the Central Office; and James Dunn as bus monitor and substitute teacher.
Chambers reported Chief Warrant Officer Three Sharron McClerkin, the school’s Veterans Day speaker and an alumni of FCHS, brought a podium with the Whitehouse Seal with him, which he presented to Fulton County Schools.

“We are tickled to have this and it will be displayed in our high school Academic Excellence Showcase, so everyone can see it,” Chambers said.

The Board approved the Administrative Team Reports, the yearly KETS First Offer, and appointed Kim Hagler as a member of the 2022-2023 District Calendar Committee.

The Committee will also include District Principal Ellen Murphy, District Office Administrator Diane Owen, two parents, Tameka Gray and Candace Oldaker, District Elementary Teacher Cindy Brown, Middle/High School Teacher Kelly Sipes, Classified employees Linda Smith and Deena Anderson, and two community members, Bernita Cheirs, and Naomi Jones.

In the absence of Jennifer Davis, Chief Financial Officer, Maegan Scott reported the Year-to-Date Revenues are $2,584,767.69, against a budget of $4,967,767. Last Year-to-Date Revenues were $1,903,566.12, against a budget of $5,007,344.

“We have collected 52.03% of the budget compared to this time last year at 38.02% of the budget,” Scott said.

Year-to-Date Expenses are $1,475,952.20 against a budget of $4,967.767. Last Year-to-Date Revenues were $1,009,307.13, against a budget of $5,007,344.

“We spent 29.71% of the budget compared to this time last year at 20.16% of the budget. Our spending is up this year, but so is our revenue. This has to do with the purchase of the bus and we received the revenue back from the settlement,” Scott said.

The Board approved payment of the bills.