School District Employees of the Year recognized by Chamber

CHIPLEY – The Washington County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ted Everett recognized the Washington County School District’s Employees of the Year during the regularly scheduled Washington County School Board meeting Tuesday evening.

The first award went to Valerie Hudson for 2010 School Related Employee of the Year.

“Valerie is a data systems analyst for the district and she is responsible for providing training and assistance to each of the schools in the area of data entry,” said Everett. “She is an expert in the technology and information in our Genesis program.”

Heather Berry was presented with 2011 Teacher of the Year.

“Heather is a science teacher at Chipley High School and she has worked in the district since 2008,” he said. “She received her bachelor’s degree from Troy State University and her philosophy is you must ‘face the challenge head on’.”

Alicia Clemmons was presented with 2010 Rookie Teacher of the Year.

“Alicia teaches seventh and eighth grade science at Roulhac Middle School and has worked for the district for three years,” he said. “She was awarded the 2009 Rookie Teacher of the Year for Roulhac Middle School; she is also a graduate from Florida State University and Chipola College with a bachelor’s degree in Middle School Science.”

A representative from the Great American Financial Resources (AESA) Bernard Caldwell gave a presentation on miSolution, a medical discount service.

“This is not an insurance plan; it does not replace your current insurance provider,” explained Caldwell. “This is a back up for when your regular coverage runs out or for that extra needed assistance in paying for those aspects your regular insurance does not cover.”

He said that for $10 a month, a family could be provided with a large percentage of medical discounts.

“With the miSolution opportunity, your employees will have access to important education on retirement planning and insurance approaches, as well as the option to participate in a discount benefit program to save on everyday needs,” he said. “Once your school district chooses this resource, miSolution creates a web site specifically designed for your employees and allows them to determine their retirement and lifestyle needs and learn about all the options available to them.”

Discounts were provided to all medical aspects and also included roadside assistance to all family members.

“I think this is a excellent program that could provide our employees with the extra help they need during these hard times,” said Superintendent of Washington County Schools Dr. Sandra Cook. “So far, I couldn’t find a single downside to this provider.”

The Board agreed to look into the program further as well as to discuss it with the teachers before making taking any action.

The Board approved of the following as presented by Cook:

•Facilities change order number two for Vernon Elementary Schools renovations.

•Consent items, but pulled for discussion was the approval to purchase a lawnmower for CHS. “The one we’ve got is over 10 years old and is just in need of replacing,” said Cook. “If they can purchase before March 1 it’ll only cost $2,500.” Cook suggested the school board pay for half the expenses and the Board approved.

•Approval under Human Resources for the district: CHS: maternity leave for Jennifer Kincaid; KMS: resignation of ESE paraprofessional Heather Oliver effective Jan. 27, personnel for KMS After School FCAT Camp; Okeechobee: Ruben Guerrero as paraprofessional, Amy Paterson as paraprofessional, Danicca Herring as science teacher; Transportation: additional pay for James Richardson – Chipley Bus Garage, additional pay for Lynn Haddock – Vernon Bus Garage, OPS pay for Mark Batson and Dennis Conway – Mechanic Help at Chipley Bus Garage; Vernon High School: Nichole Seley as substitute math teacher; WHCT: resignation of Criminal Justice Part-Time Secretary Leslee Scurlock effective Jan. 26, resignation of paraprofessional Pearl Smith effective Jan. 26, Work Study Student Matthew Kolifrath effective Feb. 9, Work Student Clint Brock effective Feb. 9; District: additional hours for Homebound Katie Jenkins, additional SAVES teachers.

The next Washington County School Board workshop is set for Feb. 18 at 1 p.m.