By Staff
Kim West
The Franklin County Board of Education discussed a new drug policy for students and approved new personnel at its board meeting Oct. 30.
The new drug testing policy, which will be voted on by the board at its Nov. 24 meeting, will be funded by a three-year $200,000 grant. The policy will apply to any student within the county system that participates in competitive activities, including sports, academic competitions and band.
Students will be tested at least once for 10 different drugs, including alcohol and methamphetamine, and they will also be eligible for random testing during the academic year.
The board authorized the following as volunteer coaches: boys baskeball assistant Brett Thomas, girls basketball assistant Danny Hardy and baseball assistants Karrie Benford and Ricky Whitten at East Franklin Junior High School; assistant basketball coach Leshea McGee at Vina; and assistant softball coach Sander Tverberg at Tharptown Highi School.
The board approved Gary Preston Lindsey as bus driver at Red Bay High School, effective Sept. 22, 2008, and Theresa Garrard as temporary part-time special education teacher for Franklin County Schools effective Oct. 7, 2008 and Blake Hudson as seventh and eighth grade boys basketball coach at Belgreen High School.
The board also approved the following personnel contingent on enrollment and funding: Kristin Nunley as a site coordinator and certified aide at Belgreen; Shayla Purser and Rosalyn Hargett as student aides at Belgreen School; Ashley Grames as teacher aide at Phil Campbell High School; Brittany Dawn Scott as teacher aide at Red Bay High School; and Wendall Waynn as tobacco and drop-out prevention specialist.
In other business, the board: