By Jay Compton

jay.compton@middlesboronews.com

 

The Bell County School Board approved the amended calendar for the rest of this school year at their March meeting.

Spring Break remains April 1 through 5 and graduation will be Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. on Dudley Hilton Field. Students will return to school for a full day on Monday, May 20, will be off on Tuesday, May 21, for Election Day and their last day will be a half day on Wednesday, May 22.

Also, due to the solar eclipse on April 8 Bell County Schools will be dismissing early. Bell County High School will let out at 12:50 p.m. and all of the elementary schools will let out at 1:00 p.m.

The board also approved the schools and district staffing policy for next school year with no changes.

“We’re happy to maintain the same staff that we’ve had. Our increased attendance has allowed us to maintain the same staff even though enrollment is slightly less this year than it was last year,” Superintendent Tom Gambrel said.

Gambrel said the district approved a new reading curriculum called Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA).

“CKLA is our new reading program and it’s been approved by the Kentucky Department of Education,” he said.

The board also approved the sale of the former central office building on Virginia Avenue in Pineville to Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation.

“It was a negotiated price that was 95-percent of the assessed value so I believe that’s a done deal,” Gambrel said.

Bell County High School AFJROTC Cadet Airman Hailey Brooks conducted the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the meeting.

Hailey is a sophomore and is a second-year cadet in the AFJROTC program. This year she is a member of Charlie Flight and takes great pride in helping her fellow cadets how to correctly wear their uniforms and making sure they all know and understand what they are being taught in the program.

Outside of AFJROTC, Hailey is part of the BCHS Archery team, and  enjoys going four-wheeling and fishing. After high school, she plans to enlist in the United States Army.