The Elizabethton Board of Education has approved an addition to the School Board Meeting section of board policy regarding media coverage.
“The Board may restrict the recording of Board meetings via camera, camcorder or other photographic equipment when such recording creates a threat to public safety and welfare or impedes the conducting of efficient and orderly public meetings,” the addition states.
“If we could not conduct an orderly meeting because of disruptions from media, this will exist to address that situation,” said Chair Rita Booher.
Members discussed the addition and agreed, while they have witnessed no such incidents in Elizabethton, this is likely a proactive clause to prevent such disruptions should they arise in the future.
“This was a suggested addition by the Tennessee School Board Association, likely resulting from recent events elsewhere,” said Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour.
Meetings were also officially rescheduled to the third Tuesday of the month, to coincide better with board members’ schedules.
The board also reviewed the policy sections on graduation requirements.
Regarding graduation requirements, member Grover May suggested community service hours be an additional requirement. Everyone agreed this could benefit students when they apply for college and with personal development.
“Anything that they could do outside of school to serve others could help make them better citizens,” said May. “We could give them the opportunity and a reason to do it which would teach them how much service means, and the many areas in which they could help others.”
Member Tyler Fleming questioned who would enforce this, considering the already busy schedules of guidance counselors and teachers.
Elizabethton High School English teacher Meg Foster said, “I think it’s a great idea. It would help them to qualify for TN Promise and it would benefit them greatly on a personal level.”
May said the board would have to determine what would constitute appropriate service, but noted this could be a prime opportunity for students to learn the importance of community service.
Booher agreed, saying, “It could change their whole perspective to where they are asking, ‘How can I help others?’ The more you’re doing for other people, the less you worry about yourself — it’s healthy.”
In other news, the board also approved a resolution in support of the construction of a new handicap accessible playground for 3rd through 5th graders at West Side, a project organized by the schools Parent Teacher Advisory Council. Fundraising is under way for the project, which is estimated to cost a minimum of $80,000. PTAC President Alainya Hare said they have already raised $8,000 through event proceeds, and they plan to apply for grants as well.
“Our existing playground equipment used by the school and community is nonfunctional, unsafe and inaccessible to children with physical disabilities,” she said.
The project is one of a number of endeavors at West Side to promote health through activity.
“Childhood obesity is outrageous,” said hare. “One in every three kids is obese.”
She also mentioned the need for recreational equipment for handicap students, as there is currently nothing in the city for them to utilize during or after school.
“This will be the first handicap accessible playground in the city, other than a project under way at Harmon Park by the City Parks and Recreations Department,” Hare said.