School Board To Consider Adding Suicide Policy

BY DAVID FISHER

david@dresdenenterprise.com

DRESDEN (June 2) — School Board members will consider adding a suicide policy during their regular monthly meeting, on June 4 at 5 p.m. via the internet.

Under the proposed Student Suicide Prevention/Intervention/Postvention Policy, faculty and staff are expected to be proactive in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment and to immediately report to the building principal any indications that a student may be in danger of harming himself or herself or others.

If the policy is approved, all district employees must attend either an annual in-service training in suicide prevention at the building level or participate in other equivalent training approved by the director of schools. This training will be compliant with Tennessee law. The training shall include, but not be limited to, identification of risk factors, warning signs, intervention and response procedures, referrals, and postvention strategies.

Board members will also consider renewing the director of school’s contract.

The first reading of a revised School Board Policy dealing with the student dress code will be considered.

Proposed changes include striking the wording “Students shall wear shirts tucked in at all times.” The dress code regarding shirts adds, “No skin may show between the shirt and pants in any position.”

The statement “Belts are to be worn on pants which have loops” is removed.

The amended dress code allows students to wear spirit wear (sweatshirts, t-shirts or other team, club, or school extracurricular activity items), when approved by the school.

Also on the agenda is a budget resolution reallocating $118,392 to pay the salary and benefits of cafeteria staff for feeding the students during school closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A federal resolution authorizing budget amendments to the School Federal Projects Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, is also on the agenda. It budgets funds received from a 2019-2020 IDEA Technology Partnership Grant. These funds are used in accordance with the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The federal projects fund involves only federal monies and no local tax dollars.

The board will consider hiring Kenneth Irvine as a volunteer football coach at Martin Middle School.

Additionally, the board will hear committee reports.