By Will Fairless
Associate Editor
During the Lee County School Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 9, the board gave Teacher of the Year awards to two Lee County teachers.
Superintendent Dr. Mac McCoy said, “Welcome to what is usually one of the happiest times in a person’s life in education as a superintendent, to get to celebrate the teachers of the year and their accomplishments and show our gratitude toward y’all. It is a little bitter this year because of the COVID virus, and we’re not able to celebrate with everyone.”
Dr. Jason Wright gave the Teacher of the Year Award at the elementary level to Susan Norton from South Smiths Station. “Mr. Henderson, in your prayer you mentioned people that make the school work. That is this person at South Smiths Station,” Wright said. “Miss Norton is one of those people that just gets the job done. She’s a champion for children. . . . I’ve had the privilege on many occasions to hear Miss Norton’s lessons, and she’s just amazing. She loves kids.”
Dr. Brad Hunter gave the Teacher of the Year Award at the secondary level to David Shamp, a history teacher at Beulah High School. “Mr. Shamp has emerged himself as a leader at Buelah High School,” Hunter said. “He is one of those teachers that takes a pride in integrating technology. That’s one of the things that makes him very unique and respected among his peers. One thing that’s worth pointing out: he makes learning fun; Mr. Shamp’s not afraid to dress up in costume and come to class in character to get his lesson across.”
In other business, the board:
– approved two bus bids, one with Southland Transportation Group for 22 regular 72-passenger buses at $84,333.55 each for a total of $1,855,338.10 and another with the same for three special needs 54-passenger buses at $93,595.49 each for a total of $280,786.47. The total of the two bids is $2,136,124.54.
– heard a presentation from ABM about a facility enhancement project.
– approved six out-of-state field trips for Smiths Station High and Smiths Station Junior High.
– approved the Monthly Financial Report and Cash Reconciliation for the Month of December from Ken Roberts.
The Lee County School Board meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at its central office at 2410 Society Hill Road. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for March 9.