Nola Sizemore
Staff Writer
At a special called meeting of the Harlan Independent Board of Education on Tuesday, Superintendent David Johnson took the opportunity to introduce new administrators hired for the upcoming school year to members of the board.
“First, our previous director of student services Mary Lou McCarthy, has now assumed the duties of principal of our elementary school,” said Johnson. “We’re pleased to have Mrs. McCarthy in that position and she has already begun her training and working with her staff.”
Former middle school principal Emily Clem will now assume the position of director of student services for the district.
“Mrs. Clem will be responsible for the school’s food service program and other minor programs,” said Johnson. “We’re glad to have her in our central office now. She has started her training as well. Mrs. Clem and I have discussed bringing in some students for an advisory group in regard to our food service program. We’re looking forward to doing that.”
Clem told board members the district is now offering a new online service for parents called “My School Bucks. com.” She said this program will allow parents to place money on their child’s school account and parents will receive email cues when the balance of that account reaches $10.
“It’s easy to manage,” said Clem. “Just go online and simple directions will be provided. There will be a small charge for each transaction.”
Returning to the district is Shannon Lawson, who will be the district’s new director of special education.
“Shannon will also be teaching the special education program at the elementary school,” said Johnson. “She is actively trying to get ready for our pre-school program and getting ready to go.”
Lawson commented she is “glad to be back and working with students again.”
McCarthy provided information to board members about the district’s Jump Start Program. She said the program is designed to give kindergarten students a chance to transition to the elementary school.
“A lot of students have already participated in activities at the elementary school, but this will help those who haven’t,” said McCarthy. “We want to give everyone a chance to tour the school — going through a mock day doing things like circle time, a cafeteria visit and things like that. They will have the chance to meet their assigned teacher for the new school year. It’s a time to get them in ahead of time because that first day of school is always so hectic. This is just for kindergarten students and it will be from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 1. We have called parents and sent out letters. Anyone who has a student that hasn’t yet enrolled, this will be a perfect time to do that when there won’t be such a crowd.”
For more information about the Jump Start Program you may contact McCarthy at 606-573-8700, option 2.
In other board action the board approved a waiver on the FRYSC coordinator. Johnson said it is a continuation of what the district had in past years. The board approved the FRYSC coordinator’s contract days be set at 235 days.
*The 2012-13 employee handbook was approved, along with the middle/high school student handbooks.
* Approved starting time for the elementary school at 7:50 a.m. and ending at 2:50 p.m. and the starting time for the middle/high school at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 3:15 p.m.
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com
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