School board approves ‘Portrait of an Eagle’

The Chester County School Board met Thursday evening at West Chester Elementary with all members in attendance. The board unanimously approved all agenda items and received reports from Superintendent Troy Kilzer concerning various Chester County Schools happenings. Notably, Kilzer announced East Chester Elementary has been recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School and is one of only two schools in Tennessee to have received this honor. See the separate story in this edition for more information on this achievement and upcoming celebration.
Thursday’s meeting opened with a musical presentation by West Chester students, outlining what they have been learning in their classes. West Chester Principal Amy Wooley said the school maintains the same theme they operated under last year, “One Team, One Vision, One Goal.” She continued with a presentation showing how this theme plays out in everyday activities for both students and their families, such as a scavenger hunt at grocery stores, Fall Festival, Reading Bingo, the annual pumpkin decorating contest and more. Wooley also reported the school has begun STEM classes for students.
Mary Bates addressed the board, reporting the resource center previously known as Eagles Edge has been relocated. Coordinated School Health, with Mia McNeal, is at Chester County High School and the Family Resource Center, Mary Bates, is located in the back of the Middle School, room 43 – the old band room, and has exterior access. The Family Resource Center will continue to offer the same services which were provided through Eagles Edge. Superintendent Troy Kilzer later shared with the board that the previous building is set to be demolished.
Kilzer presented the “Portrait of an Eagle” design and wording, which, now with board approval, will be posted on websites and be visible in schools, giving every student focus and direction through exposure to five attributes – adaptability, communication, critical thinking, empathy and integrity. These attributes will be used in strategic planning in the future. Kilzer said the project has been created with the purpose of “making sure that what were doing as an educational agency is preparing our students for what future holds…every student will be exposed to learning these attributes, which we believe every employer would be interested in their employee being invested in.”
The board also approved: a recommendation to accept TSBA policy revisions to school board legislative involvement, school district planning, revenues, fundraising activities and promotion and retention; TISA Accountability Report (TISA funding requires a report of how the school system utilizes funds to meet certain goals); and the joining of OMNIA Partners Purchasing Cooperative.
In closing, Kilzer provided updates on a state report card grading system and a road rezoning appeal which is to go before the city board, and it was mentioned that recent bus staffing issues were the result of illness.
The full meeting may be viewed online at https://youtu.be/lZFod5zuFL8. The next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Chester County Board of Education.