School Board hears report on WISE center

CHIPLEY — There appears to be progress at the Washington Institute for Specialized Education, the Washington County School Board’s alternative school. Teacher on Special Assignment Tracie Jordan, director of WISE, was on hand to deliver a report at Monday’s night’s regular school board meeting.

Jordan reported there are 37 students at the center with one senior eligible for graduation, one student lacking one credit for graduation, and three getting ready to retake FCAT. A number of students are eighth graders working on qualifying for ninth grade.

Jordan described the student body as “very diverse.”

“The demographics change monthly,” Jordan said.

Security cameras have been installed to help with liability questions, Jordan said, and a school resource officer visits regularly. Jordan said a fulltime SRO may be needed eventually.

In other business, the Board:

•Recognized Dozier I Teacher of the Year Justin Ellis and Support Personnel Glen Peterson; Dozier II Teacher of the Year Jerome Godwin, Support Personnel Danny Hamm, and Rookie Teacher of the Year Belinda Collins; and Okeechobee Teacher of the Year Svetlana Eleades, Support Personnel Martha Vensel and Rookie Teacher of the Year Eddie Warren.

The awards were presented by Dozier Principal Robert Maldon, who also reported that changes are underway at Okeechobee to make the classes more like a regular high school.

•Received $8,281.37 for the school district’s percentage of timber sales from Pine Log State Forest from the Division of Forestry. Johnny Sabo of DOF presented the check and reported that work is underway to repair roads so the public can enjoy the state forest again.

•Approved a proclamation making March 15-19 2010 Census Partner Participation Week.

•Approved purchase of property adjoining Kate M. Smith Elementary School for $120,000.