The Lakeland School Board (LSB), along with school principals and staff, were recognized with a national NAMM award for music education tonight (4.8.19) at City Hall.
During the monthly business meeting, Nick Averwater, school services manager for Amro Music in Memphis, made the presentation to LSB members and LSS faculty and staff; Dr. Ted Horrell, Lakeland School System (LSS) superintendent; Principals Joretha Lockhart and Matt Adler; LMPS music teachers Anneliese Land and Paula Turner; and Angie Delloso, LSS director of academics and exceptional learning.
The LSS was recognized by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation with the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation for outstanding commitment to music education.
Link to story: https://lakelandcurrents.com/lakeland-school-system-distinguished-nationally-for-music-education/
As the local representative for NAMM in the Memphis community, Mr. Averwater said he was pleased to make the presentation to Lakeland. “It is particularly fun for me to be here because I am a Lakeland resident and fourth generation at Amro.” He said it was an honor and privilege to make the announcement.
Link to meeting agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/04.08.19%20BM/04.08.19%20Business%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
During the meeting, seven items under discussion were approved unanimously. The eighth item, review of the policy manual, had been completed by Board Member Deborah Thomas, as announced at the work session last week.
The consent agenda was also approved.
The first item for discussion was Resolution 2019-04-01. It authorizes the Executive Committee to negotiate a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the City of Lakeland regarding the use of LSS fund balance to finance debt service for a high school in Lakeland. It was noted the resolution is not final but creates a formal decision by the LSB.
Currently high school students in Lakeland attend Arlington High School through an interlocal agreement between the two cities until a high school is built in Lakeland. Grades PK-4 attend Lakeland Elementary School and grades 5-8 attend Lakeland Middle Preparatory School.
In discussing the February and March financial summaries, Dr. Horrell said there was nothing out of the ordinary but did note that the nutritional report was operating in the black. The report covers cafeterias at both schools. He said the amount is about $69,000. The goal, he said, is to operate in the black and have funds available for emergencies. Beyond that, funds could be used for capital improvements. “It’s a good position we find ourselves in,” said Dr. Horrell.
Vice Chair Laura Harrison was elected to meet with Dr. Horrell to review his contract extension. She will review his contract, discuss with LSB attorney and bring the information back to other Board members. She said she favors extending Dr. Horrell’s contract another four years.
Ms. Delloso shared work of the textbook adoption committee. She said social studies curricula and world languages materials were reviewed by LSS instructional facilitators, principals and parents. In February, she said, a caravan of publishers brought materials and the committee voted on their choices.
In addition, there was a community day for parents, teachers and members of the community to look at the materials.
Chair Kevin Floyd asked Dr. Horrell if the textbook process was required. Dr. Horrell said it is part of a state adoption process and requires approval of the LSB.
The world languages is an exploratory course for grades 6-8. It includes introductions to Chinese, Spanish, French and Latin. It is offered to students on a one-time basis. This is the second year for the course and it will be offered again in the 2019-20 school year.
Dr. Horrell recognized five Boy Scouts from Troop 457 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Cordova. “There are many public meetings you could attend and we are glad you chose us.”
State testing begins in a week (4.16.19), said Dr. Horrell. He said he is very proud and excited of the work of the principals all year. “Our students are more than a test score,” he said. “We wish you guys the best of luck.”
To the cast of “Willy Wonka Jr.” presented at LMPS last weekend, Dr. Horrell said, “Bravo.”
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8633270
