Charger News

Growing pains for schools

Alison Palmer, Editor-in-Chief

Changes in the budget, higher lunch prices, and the possibility of a new Director of Schools are happening this year in Putnam County, but the biggest problem facing the school system this year is the school population. “Our biggest challenge this year is growth,” said Director of Schools Dr. Michael Martin. Cookeville High School has reached a population of over two thousand students, and the school system overall has exceeded ten thousand students for the first time.

Dr. Martin sent a letter to the County Commission telling them of a need for a new middle school. Avery Trace Middle School, Algood Elementary and Prescott Central Middle School each have populations of over one thousand students with more expected in the upcoming years. The School Board has not decided on any specific answers to this problem.
Several unanticipated costs could significantly change this year’s school budget. The state passed a law increasing retirement cost, which takes $800,000 away from the school budget. Health and liability insurance increases also will cost an additional $775,000.

The question on whether or not the county will change vending machine companies or removed them from schools all together is still undecided. “I have noticed an increased number of machines with juice and water,” said Dr. Martin showing that principals are anticipating a possible change. For the time being, all schools are keeing the status quo on vending machines.

All schools, that is, except for Avery Trace Middle School. Principal Tom Graves has removed all vending machines from the school and made other additional changes. Each stuend must take Physical Education, even if enrolled in an encore calles such as band or chorus. Fundraising is no longer allowed unless at a school function. To make up for the lost revenue that comes from vending machines and fundraising, each child must pay $35 at the beginning of the year. Instead of receiving detention for punishment, students will now attend school on Saturday.

These changes stem from that Avery Trace is on the No Child Left Behind target list. “If we don’t make some changes or turn it around, it could set itself up for the replacement of teachers,” said Dr. Martin who feels that what Avery Trace needs s change and more time spent in the classroom to remove it from the No Child Left Behind list.

This year a school lunch costs $1.85, twenty-five cents higher than last year. Because of rising fuel prices, the cost to transport food to school has increasd. The county is regaining this lost revenue by raising lunch prices. Before this year, cafeteria workers were the only school employees who were not paid when shcool was cancelled. A decision to equalize their pay as well as the cost of students throwing away bowls, trays and silverware also have caused the rise in lunch prices.