Members of the Weakley County School Board discussed potential fuel shortfalls that could affect the county’s ability to operate school buses, during Thursday’s regular monthly meeting. The board also approved the second and final reading of a new policy designed to get parents and families more involved in the schools and their children’s education.
Fuel Shortages
     Director of Weakley County Schools Richard Barber expressed his concerns over fuel shortages, saying that he hopes to get a new fuel shipment at the County Garage in a few days, because without it, busses will be parked.
Barber stated that the Highway Department, which also uses the same fuel source, has suspended operations in order not to expire the fuel in the tanks, so the busses can continue to operate.
     At the time, Barber stated that there was only about an eight-day supply of fuel left, and all of it cannot be completely depleted, because the school buses and the fuel are part of the county’s emergency response in case of an emergency.
Parent/Family Involvement Policy
     Weakley County had no choice but to change school board policy to conform to current state law, which was approved in the Tennessee Legislature May 6, and approved by Governor Phil Bredesen on May 18.
     Weakley County’s new Parent/Family Involvement Policy states that Weakley County Schools shall be governed by the statutory definition of parent involvement as sited in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and shall carry out programs, activities and procedures in accordance with this definition (as outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001).
     The Weakley County School Board shall implement the following as required by federal and state legislation:
• Weakley County Schools will put into operation activities and procedures for the involvement of parents in all of its schools. Those programs, activities and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents.
• Weakley County Schools shall incorporate activities and strategies that support this district-wide family and community engagement policy into its Tennessee Comprehensive System-wide Planning Process (TCSPP).
• The TCSPP shall include procedures by which parents may learn about the course of study for their children and have access to all learning materials.
• The TCSPP shall include strategies for parent participation in Weakley County Schools, which are designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance and discipline.
• If Weakley County Schools’ TCSPP is not satisfactory to the parents, the school district shall submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the State Department of Education.
• To the extent practicable, Weakley County Schools shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in an understandable and uniform format and including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.
• Weakley County Schools shall appoint a Family and Community Advisory Council that will annually assess, through consultation with parents, the effectiveness of the Family and Community Engagement Program and determine what action needs to be taken, if any, to increase parental and community participation. In order to accomplish this, each advisory council shall be composed of representatives from parents of students in elementary, middle and high schools, community business leaders, a member of the school board, and representatives from the school district.
• Weakley County Schools shall ensure that all Title I schools are in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Supervisor of Federal Programs Doug Braden stated that the School Department is trying to come up with ideas to help get parents more involved. He added that the results of the parental survey has been completed and will be provided to the board members.
Appointment of Chairman
     Once again, Dr. Gordon Morris of Sharon was unanimously elected chairman of the Weakley County School Board. Morris was also appointed as the board’s Tennessee Legislative Network representative.
     The board also decided to appoint a vice-chairman to take over when the chairman has to be absent. Barbara Trentham of Martin was unanimously appointed to the post.
Air Conditioning Problems
     School Board Chairman Gordon Morris stated that the heating and air-conditioning system at Dresden K-8 School is now working and student and faculty now have comfortable room temperatures to work in.
     Referring to the fact that parents purchased fans for the classrooms at the school to keep everyone from overheating, Morris said, “We had magnificent cooperation from the staff, from the students and from parents and people in the community. “They took a situation that was not too good and they made the best of it.”
Youth Leadership Program
     Martin School Board member Joan Pritchett spoke very highly of the Youth Leadership Weakley County Program and the positive experiences it provides to those students selected to take part in the program, which includes five 10th grade students from each high school.
     Career & Technical Education Supervisor Marvin Flatt, who also serves as attendance supervisor, stated that during the six years that the program has been in operation, there have been 118 local students who have participated in the program. He said that the program involves an elective credit, which is taken throughout the year, and makes a very positive addition to any resume.
Announcements
     In announcements, Julia Rich, who serves as director of the Center for Adult and Continuing Education, stated that she is glad to have a new roof put on the building, which was leaking. She also mentioned that Sam’s Club has presented her facility with a donation of $1,000, and she has applied for another grant from Wal-Mart in Martin in the amount of $1,000.
     There was also a moment of silence during the meeting for those families impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Morris mentioned that Westview’s Assistant Principal Rusty Taylor and Troy Jones, who serves as a computer technician for Weakley County Schools, are both back from military duty in Iraq.
     Chairman Morris announced the next regular school board meeting would be 5 p.m., Thursday, October 6, at Westview High School.

     A Sharon man was arrested at a local bar last week on alleged kidnapping and weapons charges.
     Russell Harris Brinkley, 52, of 227 Mill Street in Sharon was arrested Thursday evening by the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department on charges of aggravated kidnapping, possession of a weapon where alcoholic beverages are sold, and three counts of aggravated assault.
     During the incident, Brinkley allegedly forced two men out of the White City bar in Sharon at gunpoint, and pointed the gun at a third man, who tried to enter the bar. He then locked himself and an employee of the bar, Bobbie Stanford, 33, inside the bar.
     After a two-hour standoff, members of the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department and members of the 27th Judicial District Special Response Team managed to enter the building and take Brinkley into custody.
     Brinkley is scheduled to appear in Weakley County General Sessions Court on September 9.
     Brinkley is scheduled to appear in Weakley County General Sessions Court on September 9.