By Holly Roeder – Staff Writer
The Chester County Board of Education met at Chester County Middle School Thursday, January 25, 2024 in regular session, with all members in attendance.
The evening’s Spotlight/Celebration was presented by CCMS 4-H participants, fifth graders Vivian Sanders, Madyn Leath and Ryder Gilbert and fourth grader Will Taylor. Students shared their 4-H speeches with attendees.
Members of Chester County High School senior class approached the board to request funding on behalf of Project Graduation. Jacob Mutter, Student Council Representative, introduced himself and other students, Ken Kitchen, Reporter, Aiden Haltom, Student Council Representative and Palmer Cox, Secretary. The board unanimously approved a donation of $2,000 for the 2024 Project Graduation.
Superintendent Troy Kilzer shared that the state of Tennessee recently released letter grades for Tennessee School Districts. Kilzer said two of Chester County’s schools received the highest grade achievement of “A” – East Chester Elementary and Chester County Middle School. Kilzer said he included Jacks Creek Elementary in this category as well due to the school’s ineligibility because of student population. Kilzer explained that given the categories evaluated for consideration, Jacks Creek would have received the “A” accommodation if they had met the population criteria. Other local grade achievements were West Chester, “B”, and a “C” for Chester County Jr. High School and Chester County High School. While some schools across the state received grades of D and F, Chester County sees nearly half of its local schools receiving the highest honors. The grading provides an indication of necessary growth for all schools, Kilzer explained. “It gives us direction to where we can begin to improve our practices…It takes everyone working hard to be able to accomplish these recognitions and I’m proud of the work thus far, but for all of us, even the ones that scored an A, we know we have room for improvement and I believe that they have the desire and the dedication to continue to improve.”
Kilzer also shared lighting will be added at the Pipkin Sportsplex for after hours play, in response to Wilma Howard’s request at the previous meeting.
In other business, the board approved an additional two CCHS seniors to be added to the list of early finishers/completers or gifted students.
The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2024 at East Chester Elementary School.
